Obscure Chinese DAPs

[Slime00]

Seems that Fiio/Jade Audio are up to something interesting...

The Jade Audio JM21 will be an interesting budget DAP, it's equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, It features a 4.7-inch display, paired with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card. For connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, with compatibility for SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LHDC codecs. The audio architecture is enhanced by a dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chipset, delivering high-resolution sound through both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced output.

Running on Android 13, the JM21 weighs 156 grams and includes USB-C input for charging and data transfer. Its estimated power output reaches 2Vrms (single-ended) and 4Vrms (balanced), with a projected 700mW + 700mW capability. The device is intended to operate both as a standalone Android player and a USB DAC, with pricing around 1300 yuan (approximately $180-$190 USD).

 

[JimiMack]

Seems that Fiio/Jade Audio are up to something interesting...

The Jade Audio JM21 will be an interesting budget DAP, it's equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor, It features a 4.7-inch display, paired with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card. For connectivity, the device supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.1, with compatibility for SBC, AAC, LDAC, aptX, aptX HD, and LHDC codecs. The audio architecture is enhanced by a dual Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC chipset, delivering high-resolution sound through both a 3.5mm single-ended and a 4.4mm balanced output.

Running on Android 13, the JM21 weighs 156 grams and includes USB-C input for charging and data transfer. Its estimated power output reaches 2Vrms (single-ended) and 4Vrms (balanced), with a projected 700mW + 700mW capability. The device is intended to operate both as a standalone Android player and a USB DAC, with pricing around 1300 yuan (approximately $180-$190 USD).

Sign me up.... Release date?

 

[EMPORIUS]

Sign me up.... Release date?

I had a JadeAudio J1 small DAP and the software was so full of bugs that it was almost unusable after a while and updates were practically non-existent and they soon stopped making it. It had solid sound and was about $60 but it became completely non-functional. I'm asking I wonder what the situation will be with this model.

 

[Slime00]

Sign me up.... Release date?

Not yet revealed, but I believe it won't take that much given the finished status of the shown product.

I had a JadeAudio J1 small DAP and the software was so full of bugs that it was almost unusable after a while and updates were practically non-existent and they soon stopped making it. It had solid sound and was about $60 but it became completely non-functional. I'm asking I wonder what the situation will be with this model.

This one is based on Android, so it's going to be a completely different experience.

 

[EMPORIUS]

Not yet revealed, but I believe it won't take that much given the finished status of the shown product.

This one is based on Android, so it's going to be a completely different experience.

I hope so.

 

[JimiMack]

I had a JadeAudio J1 small DAP and the software was so full of bugs that it was almost unusable after a while and updates were practically non-existent and they soon stopped making it. It had solid sound and was about $60 but it became completely non-functional. I'm asking I wonder what the situation will be with this model.

As Slime00 mentioned in his original post, it is based on Android 13. So the OS is not my fear.

 

[Slime00]

As Slime00 mentioned in his original post, it is based on Android 13. So the OS is not my fear.

Yep, battery life and temperatures will definitely be 2 important things to see

 

[tendou]

I used a Soyes 4" phone with a dongle as a DAP for ages: worked well. Greater utility than a DAP tbh. Tidal and Spotify worked fine on mobile data.

Does your soyes also have 3.5mm jack in addition to being able to use USB dongle DAC? When did you bought them and which model? I was searching on AlIexpress and it's more confusing now with some commenting USB OTG not working for some miniphone. Maybe some manufacturer cutting cost with no 3.5mm and no USB dongle capability, depending on bluetooth only. Need to check the recent buyers comment.

 

[tendou]

Thank you for your reply! Exactly, it feels like the most practical solution to have good audio quality while having lots of versatility and without having huge and heavy devices around.
I'm attracted by this cubot because it has removable battery, Android 12 (which means more years of supported app updates, I believe they already killed Android 7 so 8 may have 1 or 2 years left) and should also be more power-efficient by having a lower res screen and a quad core processor instead of an octa-core, if someone has it and confirms it supports Type-C DACs then I'll pull the trigger!

hi have you bought any mini phone?

 

[losber]

Soyes 4" phone with a dongle as a DAP

What exactly Soyes 4" phone model does work with USB DAC? I see many of the models https://aliexpress.com/store/2835059

 

[Slime00]

hi have you bought any mini phone?

I didn't, didn't get the reply even from the seller if it supports otg, so I decided to continue with my DAP for now.

 

[tendou]

I didn't, didn't get the reply even from the seller if it supports otg, so I decided to continue with my DAP for now.

which DAP you're using now?

 

[Slime00]

which DAP you're using now?

xDuoo X2s

 

[BX700]

Does your soyes also have 3.5mm jack in addition to being able to use USB dongle DAC? When did you bought them and which model? I was searching on AlIexpress and it's more confusing now with some commenting USB OTG not working for some miniphone. Maybe some manufacturer cutting cost with no 3.5mm and no USB dongle capability, depending on bluetooth only. Need to check the recent buyers comment.

What exactly Soyes 4" phone model does work with USB DAC? I see many of the models https://aliexpress.com/store/2835059

Pretty sure it's an S10 Max. "Rugged" style phone, which I chose for the better battery capacity. No 3.5mm jack. Used an iBasso and a Fiio dongle with it without issues. Even an E1DA Powerdac.

If I had more offline files something fun would be to use e.g. Neutron Player and tweak the dongle's performance, although you're limited by the phone's processing power.

 

[tendou]

Well I got this, and I've spent about a day with it and I'm pleasantly surprised. It runs Android 9, and works like a phone/tablet, you can download whatever you want. I stripped it down(didn't come with a ton of stuff) and put all my lightweight apps on it.

The sound is good to me, imo. It doesn't sound any worst than a phone or tablet sounds. So I'm quite happy with it. The battery lasts, which is kind of the main reason that I got it.

I got it for $30 on sale. It's usually $30-$40. If you're looking for a cheap Android dap then this isn't a terrible choice.

Edit: And the size is really nice. It's about half the length of a phone and less width than one as well.

How is it now that you have them for quite some time? How is the battery life? Does it also have speaker?