Part 2 of my impressions... I tried mostly 1k+ daps with 4.4mm out, since I only have a 4.4mm cable with my VX.
N8
Not not my 1st time with the N8, but it has been a while since I was in china. Still one of the most detailed dap out there, the 4.4mm bal is more bass focused, but thats isnt exactly a bad thing, bass is more textured and punchy. Sound stage is great and a overall all around upgrade to the 1A. A very good match with VX, and a good kilobucks neutralish dap.
LPGT
Revisiting the LPGT, its a bit more colored and warmer compare to the N8. Which I prefer over the N8 and my own 1A. Technicalities is on part with N8 but the stage can with narrower due to the boosted bass and forward vocal.
N6ii
Warm dap with a bump in midbass. Too much bass for me on a VX, the bass can be very boomy even on VX, it bleeds too much into the vocal. Resoultion is better than my 1A, but the lower frequency is just too much. It feels like I have the bass switch on my turned on, and then somemore... Overall a pretty bad dap to pair with VX, unless boomy BA bass is something you find enjoyable.
Cowon Plenue L
A warmish dap, tho less warm than N6ii. Somewhat reminds me of my DX200 with AMP8. Nice a pleasant sounding, good stage and great bass dynamic with excellent technicalities. Another good all rounder, tho a step down from the N8, a small step.
R2R2000 red
This sounds hot, like a pile of hot garbage. Chifiman really out did themselves this time, puting everything that can go wrong with a dap in one tiny package.... W/o a doubt the worst dap i ever tried...
DMP-Z1
If you every wonder if the Z1 is THAT good... It is. This is summit porta-fi, sell ur wife sell ur kids... This is the only thing you will every need. Z1 is the one true 'dap' for VX and nothing else comes close...
Jokes aside, it sounds like a more balanced 1A with insane detail and stage. If you dont think iem can scale with source, try Z1.
AK KANN Cube
The newest 'portable' meme from AK with a mini xlr to 4.4 adpter...
Dark neutralish signature with amazing clarity and great soundstage. The AK kann has always been the great price to performance lineup. And the KANN cube continues that tradition. The best 'bang 4 ur bucks' totl dap. Tho the size can a but much.
I really don't have too much bad things to say about most of the daps I have tried, since all of them are over 1k usd and performance are somewhat similar.
But in terms of technicalities:
Z1 > N8 = LPGT > AK KANN > Cowon PL > N6ii
LPGT is still my my pick for best dap for the the VX due to the combination of its sound signature and good resolution. KANN cube is a great performer for the price, if I can figure out how to carry a brick around everywhere...