Obscure Chinese DAPs

[NeonHD]

Hey guys, I'm planning to invest in my first DAP soon and I need help in picking one.

My budget is under CAD $70 (US $55).

Currently it seems that the Xduoo X2 is the best option SQ wise, but having no support for ID3 tag sorting is kind of a pain.

The Benjie T6 (who a guy previously reviewed) seems to actually have a better UI and only costs $10 more than the X2, but I dunno if the SQ is better (can anyone with both DAPs compare?).

For SQ, I am looking for

1. Something more warmer and musical sounding, with boosted bass and an airy treble extension
2. Great wide soundstage and instrument separation

Tl;dr So basically I'm looking for a DAP under CAD $70 with:

• Equal/better/similar SQ to the Xduoo X2
• Better UI navigation with support for tag sorting
• An equalizer (but can make do if the sound is already vivid enough)
• And maybe support for bigger SD Card capacity

Any suggestions?

P.S. I mainly use budget IEMs such as the KZ ED9 or any IEM with low-impedance.

 

[Slater]

Hey guys, I'm planning to invest in my first DAP soon and I need help in picking one.

My budget is under CAD $70 (US $55).

Currently it seems that the Xduoo X2 is the best option SQ wise, but having no support for ID3 tag sorting is kind of a pain.

The Benjie T6 (who a guy previously reviewed) seems to actually have a better UI and only costs $10 more than the X2, but I dunno if the SQ is better (can anyone with both DAPs compare?).

For SQ, I am looking for

1. Something more warmer and musical sounding, with boosted bass and an airy treble extension
2. Great wide soundstage and instrument separation

Tl;dr So basically I'm looking for a DAP under CAD $70 with:

• Equal/better/similar SQ to the Xduoo X2
• Better UI navigation with support for tag sorting
• An equalizer (but can make do if the sound is already vivid enough)
• And maybe support for bigger SD Card capacity

Any suggestions?

P.S. I mainly use budget IEMs such as the KZ ED9 or any IEM with low-impedance.

I can't speak for other DAPs compared to the xduoo (such as the T6 or A50). But if you are considering the xduoo X2, I would get the xduoo X3 way before the X2. It's better in every way, and can run Rockbox. It was just recently on sale in the low $50 range.

 

[crabdog]

I can't speak for other DAPs compared to the xduoo (such as the T6 or A50). But if you are considering the xduoo X2, I would get the xduoo X3 way before the X2. It's better in every way, and can run Rockbox. It was just recently on sale in the low $50 range.

Yeah, although X2 sounds good the screen is just awful and impossible to see outside on a bright day. Not sure about X3 because I haven't used one.

 

[Slater]

Yeah, although X2 sounds good the screen is just awful and impossible to see outside on a bright day. Not sure about X3 because I haven't used one.

I'd be willing to bet that's the screen cover can be replaced on the X2, just like I did on the X3 (for a dollar or so):

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rockbox-xduoo-x3.803844/page-101#post_13376076

Here's the difference in brightness on the X3:

 

[crabdog]

I'd be willing to bet that's the screen cover can be replaced on the X2, just like I did on the X3 (for a dollar or so):

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/rockbox-xduoo-x3.803844/page-101#post_13376076

Here's the difference in brightness on the X3:

Pretty sure the X2 doesn't have any kind of screen cover but I'll dig it out later to check. I don't use it anymore anyway since it's been superseded by other DAPs.

 

[Slater]

Pretty sure the X2 doesn't have any kind of screen cover but I'll dig it out later to check. I don't use it anymore anyway since it's been superseded by other DAPs.

Nah, definitely has a screen cover. The actual OLED screen is dinky - not much larger than the Sansa Clip.

Here's photos of the bare board and you can see the actual size of the screen, followed by the overall size of the outer "screen" (which is in reality just a smoked plastic cover just like the X3):

 

[Ynot1]

Used ipod nano 7th gen on the bay if you must have user interface. Otherwise walnut v2.0 and save half off for not dealing with the middle man that is the screen.

 

[mbwilson111]

Used ipod nano 7th gen on the bay if you must have user interface. Otherwise walnut v2.0 and save half off for not dealing with the middle man that is the screen.

I don't understand how one would use a screenless player. How would you choose the album you want to play.

 

[crabdog]

I don't understand how one would use a screenless player. How would you choose the album you want to play.

Don't you remember the iPod shuffle?

 

[Ynot1]

I don't work for sandisk nor samsung, but you can arrange folders in multiple microsd cards. And either use tape or a little case to take the music with you.
I would think this would defeat the power of leverage using technology to make life simpler, but because people adapt, this can help improve a person's organization skills. But I digress, sorry.

 

[crabdog]

Ummm

 

[mbwilson111]

Don't you remember the iPod shuffle?

Actually I remember hearing of it but never had one. My first player was an IRiver 20gb..can't remember the model. It must be somewhere around here...probably dead. I wonder what is on it.

I never shuffle ever so those screenless players would not suit me. Strictly an album listener.

 

[mbwilson111]

Ummm

No! Do Not Need More Daps!

 

[HombreCangrejo]

Ummm

Yes, very interested in this model, also in the Cayin N5 Mk2, but the M3s thread (directly initiated by Shanling, I don't know if that's the problem) has been removed.

 

[pellidon]

I just drop a bunch of songs onto a card and have a giant mix tape.