Well with a rather massive delay (apologies for which), let's look at a couple of TOTL sources that I've used over the past year or so.
Now, where IEMs are concerned, I do feel like that obscene price tags such as 3 or 4000$ are more "justified" if I may use that word than in the case of sources. I specifically used the term
feel because this is an entirely subjective take on the prices in the industry and the value/performance you get out of them. I've owned only 2 TOTL DAPs (the LPGT and WM1Z), and even those I got either used or heavily discounted - I don't think I'd pay the full price tag for either considering the WM1A and PAW6000 exist.
The reason why I feel like IEMs and HPs are more justified in their price tags is that when you get certain TOTL IEMs, it really does things that you simply cannot find at a lower price point. With DAPs it's a somewhat different situation in that most lineups usually feature a TOTL DAP, and then a "mini" version of it at like a third of the price point and like 90-95% of the performance with a very similar tonality, but a slightly lower level of technical prowess. That being said, I've always tried to own a pretty TOTL-ish DAP or desktop DAC in order to have the peace of mind that my IEMs are performing to the highest standard possible... in other words I FOMO really hard.
The other reason why I've not spent nearly as much on sources as I have on IEMs is because they simply excite me much less, and I like to concentrate my time and funds on the transducers instead. That is also reflected in the DAPs that I've demoed - I've tried what I guess is under 10 DAPs in total, pretty much exclusively the things people rave about such as the DX160/220, FiiO M11, SP2000 and a few others
With that out of the way, let's begin!
1. SP1000M
I'm going to keep it rather brief because this is a DAP that I can recommend for one reason and one reason alone - its synergy with the Elysium. As odd as it sounds, my impressions of the SP1000M on every IEM except the Elysium are pretty much the perfect opposite of my impressions of the SP1000M with the Elysium. It's the only DAP that has the ability to convert DD bass into BA bass (no, I did not mix the two up
), sucking out most texture, decay and general fun out of it. It sounds flat, boring, way too fast and way too shy.
Unfortunately enough, the midrange is no better. The SP1000M has a pretty big upper midrange tilt making most IEMs sound rather hot and unpleasant with almost everything except female vocals. The treble is pretty good, but unless you plan on listening to female vocals only, I don't see how the SP1000M would be of much use to you.
The SP1000M is fairly technical though, and doesn't hiss with ultra sensitive IEMs like the CFA Andromeda, which is great. All in all though, can't recommend it especially unless you specifically plan on using it with the Elysium
2. WM1Z
The WM1Z is pretty much the opposite experience of the SP1000M, where it works really well with most stuff, but really doesn't work with the Elysium and other IEMs that have an inclination towards harsh treble and brightness depending on the source used. As a source it is extremely coloured, with a rather V shaped tonality - read: if the IER Z1R was a DAP, it would pretty much be the WM1Z. Excellent texture and slow decay on the bass, a slightly recessed but rather thick and heavy midrange and amazing treble control and extension.
Not only that, the WM1Z is easily the most holographic DAP I've ever had the pleasure of owning, and in a way tells you what your IEMs could sound like as opposed to what the manufacturer intended for them. That was one of the main reasons I sold mine and swapped to the LPGT, as the presentation was simply too different from the reality and reviewing something using the WM1Z ends up being useful only to people who own the WM1Z
Huge props to Sony for developing a product that's still highly relevant almost 10 years down the line though!
3. LPGT
The LPGT is a weird weird DAP. For only 3000$, you get... Nothing! Before you skip to 4. hear me out, this isn't a bad thing
This is by far the most dead neutral DAP I've ever tried. It gives you a crazy level of technical ability, such as detail, stage width and instrumental separation while also allowing you to see exactly how your IEMs were meant to sound like. I'd personally classify the LPGT as the best reviewer DAP there is on the market currently, and as a testament to that, you'll see that many of the popular reviewers and websites often use the LPGT in order to test new gear.
The great thing about the LPGT is the peace of mind that comes with it - you won't have any pairings that will make your jaw drop at how good the DAP is, but it will also perform consistently time after time, no matter what IEMs you strap to it. if you don't enjoy the net result especially, you can be dead certain that it's because the IEM isn't for you. As someone who likes to own and go through tons of gear I couldn't find a better choice than the LPGT personally. If you're the type of dude that owns a single set of IEMs I'd recommend you to look at something that specifically works with them though
I still find the LPGT somewhat more controversial though, because at its price point you could make the argument that it's supposed to have a much more present "wow" factor. I'd say the LPGT is the equivalent of the Erl from Vision Ears, where it doesn't do anything that would absolutely stun you, but the overall experience you get using it is absolutely excellent.
4. Hugo 2
In this particular case I've saved the best for last. The one thing I have to state right away is that the Hugo 2 is bright, but it is absolutely not thin sounding. It has hit that sweet spot where it has insane resolution without sounding shrill or unpleasant. I actually found that it has some of the best midrange texture of pretty much any other DAC I've tried, and it is also the DAC that made me interested in sources in the first place.
Not only is it extremely resolving, but the Hugo2 offers an insane level of detail, a massive soundstage and amazing instrumental separation. It gives you a sense of just how capable your gear can be - in the process you can't help but sacrifice some of the warmth or "naturalness" of the sound, but considering my listening preferences, that's a trade-off I'm happy to make.
The price of the Hugo2 is also worth mentioning. I got mine brand new for close to 1500$, and I keep seeing them used on the forums for less than that. At 2300 GBP it's a purchase I'd make but not be crazy happy about it, but considering you can get one for half that or less, there's no way I can't recommend the Hugo2, unless the tonality is something that specifically doesn't appeal to you
Ever since I got the Hugo I've been on the lookout for a DAP that can match its performance and tonality, but so far - nada. Guess I'll wait for the day that Chord goes mobile!
Conclusions
Usually I'm the guy that tells you to get that TOTL IEM, pair it with a TOTL cable, and then get yourself the TOTL case for max style points. It's also a fact that a cool sticker on said case gives you exactly 4% extra performance, and that's just the indisputable truth.
When it comes to sources though, my main advice would be to go to the used market. You can get crazy good deals on things that are practically as good as new, and you can pretty much be playing in one league higher than what you want to spend without much trouble. Otherwise the diminishing returns in this specific product tend to be much more significant (IMHO) than they are in the IEM market. To put it this way - I'd recommend a sort of 3:1 ratio in IEM:Source spending
