[siruspan]

I've recently reviewed Hiby r3, Ibasso dx120 and dx150 so here's my updated list if anyone is interested:

1. Sony WM1A
2. Shozy Alien+
3. Astell and kern ak380
4. Ibasso DX120
5. Cayin N5II
6. Shozy Alien Gold
7. Ibasso DX150 (amp6)
8. Colorfly C10
9. Astell and Kern ak300
10. Pono Player
11. Questyle QP1R
12. Astell and Kern ak70
13.Pioneer xdp100r
14. Cowon Plenue P1
15. Sony x1050
16. Apple Ipod Touch (1st gen)
17. Cowon S9
18. Hiby R3
19. Samsung P2
20. Sandisk Sansa Clip+
21. Samsung Z5
22. Sandisk m250

 

[gidion27]

Sony RH1
Sony Zx1
Sony x1060

 

[gazzington]

Sony wm1a
Ibasso dx200 with amp 8
Sony zx300
Ibasso dx150
iPod 5th gen Wolfson dac
Cayin n5ii
Ibasso dx80
Ibasso dx50
Shanling m0
Hiby r3
Hiby r6

Top two are my favourites by far. I'm not fond of the hiby sound but the R3 is a great portable or transport.

 

[Jmop]

I've recently reviewed Hiby r3, Ibasso dx120 and dx150 so here's my updated list if anyone is interested:

1. Sony WM1A
2. Shozy Alien+
3. Astell and kern ak380
4. Ibasso DX120
5. Cayin N5II
6. Shozy Alien Gold
7. Ibasso DX150 (amp6)
8. Colorfly C10
9. Astell and Kern ak300
10. Pono Player
11. Questyle QP1R
12. Astell and Kern ak70
13.Pioneer xdp100r
14. Cowon Plenue P1
15. Sony x1050
16. Apple Ipod Touch (1st gen)
17. Cowon S9
18. Hiby R3
19. Samsung P2
20. Sandisk Sansa Clip+
21. Samsung Z5
22. Sandisk m250

Coming from Shozy Alien Gold, do you think I would feel more at home in terms of sound with DX120 or N5II? I'll throw DX150 and DX160 in there too if you've heard it. Looking at smooth sound, vocals with body, a planted low end, and great staging ability. Not considering Alien+ due to poor battery life. I appreciate any clarification regarding if the DAPs were referred to in single-ended or balanced operation. Thanks!

 

[siruspan]

@Jmop DX120 is rather bright and more technical sounding player, and N5II i meatier, more dense with sparkly higs. It will not be a huge step up in terms of sound quality but massive in usability, power and without hissing that Alien Gold has on the output. None of them is unfortunately as analogue and natural sounding as Alien Gold.

Here's updated list if anyone is interested. I always test both single ended and balanced outputs and place on the list is a best case scenario.

1. Chord Hugo 2
2. Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP2000
3. Cayin N8
4. Ibasso DX300
5. Cowon Plenue S
6. Ibasso DX220 (amp1mk2)
7. Sony WM1A
8. Ibasso DX160
9. Shozy Alien+
10. Astell and kern ak380
11. Fiio M11
12. Ibasso DX120
13. Shanling M5s
14. Ibasso DX150 (amp6)
15. Chord Mojo
16. Alo Audio Continental Dual Mono
17. Acoustic research AR-M20
18. Cayin N5II
19. Shozy Alien Gold
20. Colorfly C10
21. Astell and Kern ak300
22. Pono Player
23. Questyle QP1R
24. Astell and Kern ak70
25. Pioneer xdp100r
26. Cowon Plenue P1
27. Astell and Kern ak Jr
28. Sony x1050
29. Apple Ipod Touch (1st gen)
30. Cowon S9
31. Qudelix 5k (usb dac)
32. Shanling M0
33. Ibasso DC01
34. Hiby R3
35. Radsone ES100
36. Samsung P2
37. Sandisk Sansa Clip+
38. Samsung Z5
39. Sandisk m250

 

[Jmop]

I appreciate the feedback, and awesome updated list. DX160 for mid-fi king? I hear the low end isn’t up to par with 120 and 150.

 

[siruspan]

I appreciate the feedback, and awesome updated list. DX160 for mid-fi king? I hear the low end isn’t up to par with 120 and 150.

DX160 is better than 120 and 150, and it is amost as good as DX220 with standard amp. DX220 is more neutral and has slightly better micro details and DX160 is kinda neutral but slightly warmer and meatier. For the price DX160 is a killer dap.

 

[Jmop]

How about DX160 vs Alien Gold in terms of naturalness? I know the Alien will be much warmer.

 

[siruspan]

How about DX160 vs Alien Gold in terms of naturalness? I know the Alien will be much warmer.

DX160 is quite alright when it comes to being natural but it's nowhere near as organic as things like Alien Gold or Colorfly C10 unfortunately. They are just much more analogue and tubey sounding at the expense of worse technicalities.

 

[leo5111]

@Jmop DX120 is rather bright and more technical sounding player, and N5II i meatier, more dense with sparkly higs. It will not be a huge step up in terms of sound quality but massive in usability, power and without hissing that Alien Gold has on the output. None of them is unfortunately as analogue and natural sounding as Alien Gold.

Here's updated list if anyone is interested. I always test both single ended and balanced outputs and place on the list is a best case scenario.

1. Chord Hugo 2
2. Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP2000
3. Cayin N8
4. Ibasso DX300
5. Cowon Plenue S
6. Ibasso DX220 (amp1mk2)
7. Sony WM1A
8. Ibasso DX160
9. Shozy Alien+
10. Astell and kern ak380
11. Fiio M11
12. Ibasso DX120
13. Shanling M5s
14. Ibasso DX150 (amp6)
15. Chord Mojo
16. Alo Audio Continental Dual Mono
17. Acoustic research AR-M20
18. Cayin N5II
19. Shozy Alien Gold
20. Colorfly C10
21. Astell and Kern ak300
22. Pono Player
23. Questyle QP1R
24. Astell and Kern ak70
25. Pioneer xdp100r
26. Cowon Plenue P1
27. Astell and Kern ak Jr
28. Sony x1050
29. Apple Ipod Touch (1st gen)
30. Cowon S9
31. Qudelix 5k (usb dac)
32. Shanling M0
33. Ibasso DC01
34. Hiby R3
35. Radsone ES100
36. Samsung P2
37. Sandisk Sansa Clip+
38. Samsung Z5
39. Sandisk m250

Seriously? you Have the Pioneer XDP-100R ranked above the Cowon P1? No Offense But i had Both, the P1 Smokes the 100R like a Cigarette to me the Pioneer was to bright and Harsh in the Highs.....i guess everyone,s hears things things differntly i know some one who loves Headphones that, to me they were so Bright made the Seem like a night light