Rank the best sounding daps that you heard

[F700]

Great list

Thanks, but some big boys like RS8 and WM1ZM2 are missing….

 

[Rockwell75]

1) Calyx M
2) AR-M2
3) LPGT
.
. gap in terms of pure SQ
.
4) Dethonray DTR1 (big mistake selling it)
5) P6K
6) Cowon Plenue M2
7) P6 Pro (massively overrated and overpriced imo)
8) SR25 MK2 (should have kept it)
9) WM1A
10) N8ii (bright!!)
11) SP2K
12) ZX300
13) X5III
14) X7II

Curious what you didn't like about the P6 Pro. I have a Plenue 2 MKii and I owned a P6K for a short time and the P6 Pro is leagues beyond both imho. The P6K in particular I really didn't like (in terms of sound-- the interface was great). I would consign it to simply different preferences but you said "massively overrated and overpriced" and I'm just curious why. Cheers.

 

[F700]

Curious what you didn't like about the P6 Pro. I have a Plenue 2 MKii and I owned a P6K for a short time and the P6 Pro is leagues beyond both imho. The P6K in particular I really didn't like (in terms of sound-- the interface was great). I would consign it to simply different preferences but you said "massively overrated and overpriced" and I'm just curious why. Cheers.

Massively overpriced for what you get overall and the sound, well, the Calyx M eats P6 Pro for breakfast in the analog sounding DAP’s world. So yes, P6 Pro was a real disappointment. Plenue M2 is not Plenue 2 MKII, Cowon did not name their DAPs very wisely, hence the confusion sometimes.

I get your point on the P6K and many dislike it, but for me it’s a fantastic neutral/warmish DAP that scale amazingly in value when you use the EQ. This DAPs is a real gem in my book, especially with ISN EST50 and Penon Serial, but I perfectly understand why people might hate it.

And as always, YMMV etc… happy for you btw that you are enjoying the LP6! Nice one

 

[Gustavo1976]

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

Hi. Do you listen Kann Max? Thanks and great list.

 

[Whitigir]

For me and HD800S, Ibasso Dx320Max is the best , for now

 

[purk]

For me and HD800S, Ibasso Dx320Max is the best , for now

Ibasso fanboy alert!!

 

[gazzington]

Massively overpriced for what you get overall and the sound, well, the Calyx M eats P6 Pro for breakfast in the analog sounding DAP’s world. So yes, P6 Pro was a real disappointment. Plenue M2 is not Plenue 2 MKII, Cowon did not name their DAPs very wisely, hence the confusion sometimes.

I get your point on the P6K and many dislike it, but for me it’s a fantastic neutral/warmish DAP that scale amazingly in value when you use the EQ. This DAPs is a real gem in my book, especially with ISN EST50 and Penon Serial, but I perfectly understand why people might hate it.

And as always, YMMV etc… happy for you btw that you are enjoying the LP6! Nice one

Ive owned and tried many expensive daps over the years. Still prefer the calyx m to them. It’s a special and unique sounding dap

 

[F700]

Ive owned and tried many expensive daps over the years. Still prefer the calyx m to them. It’s a special and unique sounding dap

AR-M2 & Calyx M are my DAPs

 

[gazzington]

AR-M2 & Calyx M are my DAPs

Must admit I wish I’d bought a ar-m2 even they were available. On the plus, I’ve been listening to some stars of the lid on my calyx tonight

 

[peppy]

Hey everyone, long time lurker but first time poster. I haven’t seen any discussion of the Cayin N7 in this thread I am wondering where people would rank it on their list for anyone who has had the chance to listen to it.

 

[searchingtom]

Hey everyone, long time lurker but first time poster. I haven’t seen any discussion of the Cayin N7 in this thread I am wondering where people would rank it on their list for anyone who has had the chance to listen to it.

Its beautifully made and highly functional. It sounds close to R2R (but just a bit short of the full R2R sound to my ears in my genres - string quartet and soft jazz). I think it is a great value for the price. My go to is the RS8 for reference.

 

[vilhelm44]

Hey everyone, long time lurker but first time poster. I haven’t seen any discussion of the Cayin N7 in this thread I am wondering where people would rank it on their list for anyone who has had the chance to listen to it.

I think it's as good if not better than most the DAPs I've had sound wise to my ears (with Custom Art F7U CIEMs), which is a fair few like Shanling M7, M8 & M9, P6Pro, Ibasso 300 & 320 and WM1A & WM1Z. It's got great software and form factor too. The only downside is it gets a bit toasty in amp mode A and outputs are at the bottom of the unit (just my personal preference). The sound makes you forget about that though, it's superb with no trace of digital glare at all .

 

[alavenue]

Most musical high end dap you've heard? Like euphoric vocals, smooth overall tuning

 

[nb1970]

Most musical high end dap you've heard? Like euphoric vocals, smooth overall tuning

To me the best and most musical sounding are the LP6Ti and the Hifiman R2R2000. Horrrible UI on both.

 

[Dionysus]

1) Astell & Kern SP-3000
2) Astell & Kern SP-1000
3) Astell & Kern AK-380 Copper
4) Sony WM1A nice to warm for me.
imho from what I have heard.