[Skyediver]

A few that spring to mind that you might want to investigate more:
Hidizs AP80 Pro-X (haven't heard)
Sony NW-A55 with firmware upgrade (Haven't heard)
Hiby RS2 (R2R - Own and love it)
Tempotec V6 (Android on a budget. Haven't heard - have on order. Early reviews are positive on sound quality).

Real bang for buck is using a phone you already own with a $10 dongle.

I agree on the dongle suggestion, but $10? Which one? I was thinking more the Lotoo’s and others like that, but they ain’t ten bucks.

 

[Barndoor]

There's the ve pair Abigail/ Avani

 

[Skyediver]

Don’t know it, but willing to try to see how it compares sound quality wise to the dongles in that $200-$300 range that I’ve used and would consider true “bang for buck” vs. DAPs. If something at that even significantly lower price point really brings the sound quality, that’s great. Open to learning/trying. Appreciate the suggestion.

 

[Skyediver]

anyone have a best bang for your buck in 2022 for daps?

Following up on this in the effort to be helpful, here’s what I was thinking/suggesting as the type of dongle that could indeed compare with DAPs sound wise, and give true “bang for buck”. Value is relative and personal though, so keep that in mind. There are others in that couple of hundred dollar range, this is just one. Good luck in the search: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/lot...january-2-0-0-5-link-added-first-post.959582/

 

[boromcom]

Nice list all!

 

[boromcom]

Just got DX320 edition x with Amp13. Quite good one!

 

[marklivia]

1)L&P P6ti
2)L&P P6Pro
3) Everything else I've owned way down there....

 

[boromcom]

1)L&P P6ti
2)L&P P6Pro
3) Everything else I've owned way down there....

Any news on LP7?

 

[Bosk]

1. SP3000
Everything else

 

[discord]

1. SP3000
Everything else

Concise

 

[DaveStarWalker]

1/ Aune m1s (balanced output, fast filter) = all iems, and certain full size headphones easily driveables (Final D8000 pro, Sonorous VI, Beyer T5p v2...). Perfection of natural sound.
Rest of the world...

2/ Hiby R8 = very refined, superb tones.
3/ Ibasso Dx90 (heavy modded -mm2- = mine ; Lurker 2.5.1 firmware) = classic powerhouse.

Otherwise the Dx90 has obviously this advantage of an another (regretted) time : easily replaceable batteries (Samsung Note 3 type)...

No negociation = absolute pitch black background. With all types of iems (including Andromeda, Zeus, SE846... = The hissing ones )
That's all folks.

 

[Palpatine79]

AK SP3K
AK SP2KCu
AK SP2KSS
AK CA1000
Hiby RS6
AK SP2KT
AK SA700
Ibasso DX300
AK SE180
Sony WM1A
AK Alpha
Ibasso DX2220
AK SR25

 

[Feischmaker]

Updating this:

1. ibasso DX320 with AMP12/Cayin N8ii - I think they are same level

2. Fiio M17 desktop mode with ifi iPower Elite - the only Fiio DAP that I ever like happen to be a very good DAP. Is actually #1 If paired with Headphone

3. ibasso DX300 with AMP11mk2 / Hiby RS6 / AK SP1k Cu - I used to have SP1k Cu, now I use DX300. RS6 is what I plan to buy in the future.

4. LP6K, WM1A (Mr. Walkman), WM1Z
5. AK Kann Max, DTR-1+, Calyx M

Stuff I want to try:
1. RS8 (because of the hype lol)
2. SP3000 (will this be another disappointment like SP2K series?)
3. WM1ZM2 (hopefully this is good, because the WM1AM2 is a bit disappointing, sounds like a toned down WM1Z to my ears)

Just tried the SP3K yesterday. IMO, it sounded better than the DX320amp12 and is the best sounding AK DAP to date.

To the first place it goes

 

[The1Signature]

1. SP3000
Everything else

i remember the day when i bought the wm1z and loved the sony signature sound.
friends told me that i have to try the sp2000. so i bought the las vegas edition. after comparing both intensely, i always preferred the wm1z and meanwhile the sp2000 ended up in a cupboard.

a couple of years later, we have the wm1zm2 now which i want to buy. and the same friends tell me that i have to try the sp3000. i hope i can test the sp3000 soon.

 

[Steranko]

1)L&P P6ti
2)L&P P6Pro
3) Everything else I've owned way down there....

LP6 TI 7th Anniversary edition