My list update
1 Astell&kern SP2000CU
2 IBASSO DX300MAX
3 shanling M8
4 Sony 1Z
5 LOTOO Paw6000
The first and second position are very close, the tuning of the dx300max is much better than the dx220Max IMO
These are the only DAPs I've tried. While I was impressed with the sound of the HiBy, I got rid of it after a month as I hate the Android OS. Moving forward, it's only non-android DAPs for me. The Lotoo PAW 6000 is a dream in comparison and I love the sound. When I'm not using this DAP, I'm thinking about using it! Multiple times a day I find myself thinking "I wonder how this would sound through the Lotoo?"
The only other DAP's that appeal to me now are the Lotoo PAW Gold Touch or maybe a Luxury & Precision P6 or LP6.
1. Sony DMP-Z1
2. iBasso DX300 Max Ti
3. Astell & Kern SP2000
4. iBasso DX300 Max SS
5. Cayin N6ii Ti (R01)
6. Astell & Kern SP2000T
7. Shanling M8
8. iBasso DX220 Max
9. Sony WM1Z
10. iBasso DX300 (amp11 mk1)
11. Astell & Kern KANN Alpha
12. Sony ZX507
13. Sony A105
1. Sony DMP-Z1
2. iBasso DX300 Max Ti
3. Astell & Kern SP2000
4. iBasso DX300 Max SS
5. Cayin N6ii Ti (R01)
6. Astell & Kern SP2000T
7. Shanling M8
8. iBasso DX220 Max
9. Sony WM1Z
10. iBasso DX300 (amp11 mk1)
11. Astell & Kern KANN Alpha
12. Sony ZX507
13. Sony A105
DMP-Z1 is on its own league from what I heard and compared so far. It is like the ultimate no. 1 ... than ... long long long long time nothing to compete with .... and than comes the rest somewhere down below where they can battle each other.
After 6 years of buying and selling off far to many DAPs I have ended up with the following collection that I still enjoy whenever I use them - in order of how I enjoy them
AR-M2
Calyx M
QPR2
Cowon Pleune M
Shanling M5
AR-M20
Cowon Plenue M2
Dethonray DTR1
Colorfly U6
AK240
Sony ZX2 music enhancement app disabled
Cowon Plenue 1
QPR1
Shanling M5s
Cowon Plenue R and D & Iaudio
Ibasso DX160
Cayin N3 pro
AR-M200
I have had numerous others- high end and low end -and have finally given up trying to find the perfect sound for me - I have loved owning some of the higher end players from Lotoo and AK and others but in blind testing could not honestly tell the difference and could not justify the cost so sold them off - the above list is what I have not yet wanted to Part with - but what I have learned with owning over 50 DAPs and even more headphones and amps - synergy is the key - each of the above sounds fantastic with a certain headphone or earphone combination which can sound very ordinary on others
I don’t use streaming so really just use wired and music on player
Also have realised in my opinion some of the older players still sound as good or better than any modern flag ship I tried - even if they don’t look and feel as good in terms of modern interface
So many great options out there today and plenty of bargains on some of the older ones if you don’t need latest streaming or Bluetooth codex
After 6 years of buying and selling off far to many DAPs I have ended up with the following collection that I still enjoy whenever I use them - in order of how I enjoy them
AR-M2
Calyx M
QPR2
Cowon Pleune M
Shanling M5
AR-M20
Cowon Plenue M2
Dethonray DTR1
Colorfly U6
AK240
Sony ZX2 music enhancement app disabled
Cowon Plenue 1
QPR1
Shanling M5s
Cowon Plenue R and D & Iaudio
Ibasso DX160
Cayin N3 pro
AR-M200
I have had numerous others- high end and low end -and have finally given up trying to find the perfect sound for me - I have loved owning some of the higher end players from Lotoo and AK and others but in blind testing could not honestly tell the difference and could not justify the cost so sold them off - the above list is what I have not yet wanted to Part with - but what I have learned with owning over 50 DAPs and even more headphones and amps - synergy is the key - each of the above sounds fantastic with a certain headphone or earphone combination which can sound very ordinary on others
I don’t use streaming so really just use wired and music on player
Also have realised in my opinion some of the older players still sound as good or better than any modern flag ship I tried - even if they don’t look and feel as good in terms of modern interface
So many great options out there today and plenty of bargains on some of the older ones if you don’t need latest streaming or Bluetooth codex
1. Sony DMP-Z1
2. iBasso DX300 Max Ti
3. Astell & Kern SP2000
4. iBasso DX300 Max SS
5. Cayin N6ii Ti (R01)
6. Astell & Kern SP2000T
7. Shanling M8
8. iBasso DX220 Max
9. Sony WM1Z
10. iBasso DX300 (amp11 mk1)
11. Astell & Kern KANN Alpha
12. Sony ZX507
13. Sony A105
1. Sony DMP-Z1
2. iBasso DX300 Max Ti
3. Astell & Kern SP2000 4. Shanling M9 (may change - still burning in. Ranking based on OOTB impressions)
5. iBasso DX300 Max SS
6. Cayin N6ii Ti (R01)
7. Astell & Kern SP2000T 8. FiiO M17 (may change - still burning in. Ranking based on OOTB impressions)
9. Shanling M8
10. iBasso DX220 Max
11. Sony WM1Z
12. iBasso DX300 (amp11 mk1)
13. Astell & Kern KANN Alpha
14. Sony ZX507
15. Sony A105
New 2022 lineup
Shanling M9 ( OOTB impression--still burning in)
M8
M6 21 Pro
Ibasso DX 228
Hiby R6 Pro Gave to my son
Hiby R6 220
Hiby R3 Saber (2)
Sony ZX 300 gave to a friend
Dongle (semi Dap) Cayin RU6 ( would be #3 for SQ)
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