Standalone DAP or iPhone 6 with DAC/amp?

[rebbi]

Hi,
I recently bought a pair of Hifiman RE-600 IEM's which I like quite a bit. I am now toying with the idea of getting a portable rig that will play the high-res and lossless tracks I've purchased and played on my laptop and home stereo rig.
I could go with something like the new CEntrance DACportable that's currently open on Indiegogo, which should allow me to play all the content on my iPhone 6 through the much better DAC and amp.
Or... I could pick up a DAP like the iBasso DX80 for less than $300 on Amazon.com (because I have accumulated points on an Amazon credit card). I couldn't play my DRM-protected iTunes content without conversion to another format, but I could rip as many CD's as I want to ALAC or FLAC and also play my HD Tracks files.
Either set up should also allow me to go portable with some real cans if I later chose to do so.
So... dedicated DAP or iPhone + DAC/amp? What say ye?
Thanks!

 

[HUM24H]

  Hi,
I recently bought a pair of Hifiman RE-600 IEM's which I like quite a bit. I am now toying with the idea of getting a portable rig that will play the high-res and lossless tracks I've purchased and played on my laptop and home stereo rig.
I could go with something like the new CEntrance DACportable that's currently open on Indiegogo, which should allow me to play all the content on my iPhone 6 through the much better DAC and amp.
Or... I could pick up a DAP like the iBasso DX80 for less than $300 on Amazon.com (because I have accumulated points on an Amazon credit card). I couldn't play my DRM-protected iTunes content without conversion to another format, but I could rip as many CD's as I want to ALAC or FLAC and also play my HD Tracks files.
Either set up should also allow me to go portable with some real cans if I later chose to do so.
So... dedicated DAP or iPhone + DAC/amp? What say ye?
Thanks!

I personally prefer a separate DAP over using your Smartphone.
 
The iBasso DX80 is a great choice for an external DAP.
 
As far as I am aware though, you able to download any Music you buy from or through iTunes. I have done this myself, you don't have to convert the format as AAC files will play on just about any Phone or DAP. 
 
the only real benefit to fitting a DAC/AMP to your phone is that stuff like the OPPO HA-2 or Chord Mojo does and can sound better than DAP's above their price point. But then you have issue of having to carry a stack instead of just two separate devices.

 

[rebbi]

Hum24H,
Thanks for the reply. That's what I'm leaning toward: a specialist DAP rather than trying to get my phone to do something it wasn't designed to do to begin with.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Hum24H,
Thanks for the reply. That's what I'm leaning toward: a specialist DAP rather than trying to get my phone to do something it wasn't designed to do to begin with.

 
 
Here's an easy way to determine what you shouldn't do: How much do you like iTunes?

If you barely understand what Drag n Drop is for much less what ID3 Tags are, stick to your iPhone.
 
If you hate iTunes, then get the DAP.

 

[rebbi]

Any other thoughts?  

 

[rebbi]

   
 
Here's an easy way to determine what you shouldn't do: How much do you like iTunes?

If you barely understand what Drag n Drop is for much less what ID3 Tags are, stick to your iPhone.
 
If you hate iTunes, then get the DAP.

Sorry, ProtegeManiac, didn't see this when I just posted...
 
I'm plenty computer literate, so the idea of dragging and dropping HD Tracks files from my MacBook Pro to a mounted volume icon doesn't faze me.  

 I don't have much experience editing ID3 tags but I see that there are a number of freeware ID3 editors on for Mac OS. I wouldn't say I hate iTunes, I simply don't deal with it very often anymore. I either (very occasionally) buy iTunes tracks straight onto my phone, or (at home) play my high-res files on my laptop into my Musical Fidelity M1 DAC that's connected to my stereo rig.
 
PROS AND CONS:
 
What I like about the concept of the phone-DAC combo is that the CEntrance DACportable is a tiny little thing - a rectangular box about 4 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and 0.8 inches tall. It would connect to the iPhone via a Lightning-to-micro USB cable. And I'm thinking, "That could probably fit into my pants pocket with my phone." And, with that gear, it's all coming through a tried-and-true iPhone interface. (I've read a lot about GUI/firmware glitches on these "mid-level," Chinese DAPS like Hifiman 650 and iBasso DX 90.)
 
The downside is that I'd have to use iTunes to transfer the files to a separate high-res player app on my iPhone, like the one Onkyo sells on the app store. Also, the DACportable, while from a reputable company, is still an unknown performer.
 
I do like the idea of a dedicated DAP, but it's another gadget to carry around...

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebbi /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

I'm plenty computer literate, so the idea of dragging and dropping HD Tracks files from my MacBook Pro to a mounted volume icon doesn't faze me.  

 I don't have much experience editing ID3 tags but I see that there are a number of freeware ID3 editors on for Mac OS. I wouldn't say I hate iTunes, I simply don't deal with it very often anymore. I either (very occasionally) buy iTunes tracks straight onto my phone, or (at home) play my high-res files on my laptop into my Musical Fidelity M1 DAC that's connected to my stereo rig.

 

If you're still using iTunes anyway if at least to buy music then might as well just use the iPhone.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebbi /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

What I like about the concept of the phone-DAC combo is that the CEntrance DACportable is a tiny little thing - a rectangular box about 4 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and 0.8 inches tall. It would connect to the iPhone via a Lightning-to-micro USB cable. And I'm thinking, "That could probably fit into my pants pocket with my phone." 

 

It all depends on you'll carry anything really. Depending on one's pants fit and overall number of stuff that needs to go into the pockets, ie if you have few gadgets and pants that don't have that loose skateboarding fit (much less baggy ghetto fit), then a slim DAP in one pocket and a phone in the other works. Looser pants can accommodate thciker DAC-HPamp+smartphone stacks, but there's still the cable that might get frequently dislodged.

 

Personally the most convenient thing to lug around is a smartphone and an IEM that it can drive without issues. I always have at least a small messenger bag with me  (ex. my Timbuk2 Messenger [small size], or if I have just my cam, extra battery, and IEM, the Crumpler 3MDH), and larger bags for when I need my laptop (ie my Timbuk2 Swig or my BBP Industries), but I still don't lug around a lot of gear unless I'm going to a meet. Audio-wise the bags jsut have enough space to take an IEM in a pocket (as in the 3MDH), or take the Otterbox that came with my IEMs. The earphones are well protected all the time (more so with the foam lining on the new version of the case), and I have spare space in the bag along with all my other stuff (like an aluminum coffee mug) anyway.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebbi /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

And, with that gear, it's all coming through a tried-and-true iPhone interface. (I've read a lot about GUI/firmware glitches on these "mid-level," Chinese DAPS like Hifiman 650 and iBasso DX 90.)

 

The downside is that I'd have to use iTunes to transfer the files to a separate high-res player app on my iPhone, like the one Onkyo sells on the app store. 

 

Actually what really drove the development of such DAPs wasn't just that people were tired of strapping something to an iPod (which by that point was being phased out by the Touch), but storage (ie the high cap Touch models were too expensive, so microSD was preferred) and also because people were tired of dealing with iTunes. As much as a lot of complaints mounted about the UI glitches, for the most part these people would rather wait around for firmware updates to fix these glitches as long as it worked using the logic that they want (drag and drop, as opposed to sync, delete locally, then sync again) rather than have something that works in a totally different manner in which case they aren't glitches and they'd be outvoted by those who prefer doing it that way, ie, iTunes. Like people who don't want to have to keep neat folders of properly tagged files.

 

The worst complaints are curious iDevice users who want to try these out and end up pulling their hair out as much as the people who wanted those DAPs were pulling their hair out figuring out how iTunes worked, which only got worse with iOS, where music files need to be synced to individual player apps - so if you don't use iTunes as your player app primarily because you rip music from CDs instead of buying AAC from iTunes, when one starts glitching after some update you'll need to remove all files and sync them again to another player app (compare that to loading microSD cards into an Android, and when one player app has glitches all the player apps can access the same storage medium - have your two players refresh their archives after loading and either one will be ready to play whatever is in there in case one of them gets an update that causes issues). If you still use iTunes in any way might as well stick with an iDevice.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebbi /img/forum/go_quote.gif

 

I do like the idea of a dedicated DAP, but it's another gadget to carry around...

 

I'd still much rather just use an IEM that the iPhone can drive easily, and then any spare pocket or bag space you have is better spent on a powerbank/charger and maybe a wireless HDD, like the one Seagate sells. That wireless HDD cancels out how DAPs can use microSD cards considering they come in 500gb for around $100.

 

[eugenius]

HTC 10. Expandable memory, Integrated 24bit DAC, powerful headphone amp (I've heard 2x500mW into 32ohms).
 
If you want to stick to the iPhone, the dacportable while it probably sounds a little better than the oppo ha2, it has a questionable form factor for portable use with a phone.
 
the oppo ha2 is what you need to pair with the iphone IMO.

 

[rebbi]

 

 

If you're still using iTunes anyway if at least to buy music then might as well just use the iPhone.

 

 

It all depends on you'll carry anything really. Depending on one's pants fit and overall number of stuff that needs to go into the pockets, ie if you have few gadgets and pants that don't have that loose skateboarding fit (much less baggy ghetto fit), then a slim DAP in one pocket and a phone in the other works. Looser pants can accommodate thciker DAC-HPamp+smartphone stacks, but there's still the cable that might get frequently dislodged.

 

Personally the most convenient thing to lug around is a smartphone and an IEM that it can drive without issues. I always have at least a small messenger bag with me  (ex. my Timbuk2 Messenger [small size], or if I have just my cam, extra battery, and IEM, the Crumpler 3MDH), and larger bags for when I need my laptop (ie my Timbuk2 Swig or my BBP Industries), but I still don't lug around a lot of gear unless I'm going to a meet. Audio-wise the bags jsut have enough space to take an IEM in a pocket (as in the 3MDH), or take the Otterbox that came with my IEMs. The earphones are well protected all the time (more so with the foam lining on the new version of the case), and I have spare space in the bag along with all my other stuff (like an aluminum coffee mug) anyway.

 

 

Actually what really drove the development of such DAPs wasn't just that people were tired of strapping something to an iPod (which by that point was being phased out by the Touch), but storage (ie the high cap Touch models were too expensive, so microSD was preferred) and also because people were tired of dealing with iTunes. As much as a lot of complaints mounted about the UI glitches, for the most part these people would rather wait around for firmware updates to fix these glitches as long as it worked using the logic that they want (drag and drop, as opposed to sync, delete locally, then sync again) rather than have something that works in a totally different manner in which case they aren't glitches and they'd be outvoted by those who prefer doing it that way, ie, iTunes. Like people who don't want to have to keep neat folders of properly tagged files.

 

The worst complaints are curious iDevice users who want to try these out and end up pulling their hair out as much as the people who wanted those DAPs were pulling their hair out figuring out how iTunes worked, which only got worse with iOS, where music files need to be synced to individual player apps - so if you don't use iTunes as your player app primarily because you rip music from CDs instead of buying AAC from iTunes, when one starts glitching after some update you'll need to remove all files and sync them again to another player app (compare that to loading microSD cards into an Android, and when one player app has glitches all the player apps can access the same storage medium - have your two players refresh their archives after loading and either one will be ready to play whatever is in there in case one of them gets an update that causes issues). If you still use iTunes in any way might as well stick with an iDevice.

 

 

I'd still much rather just use an IEM that the iPhone can drive easily, and then any spare pocket or bag space you have is better spent on a powerbank/charger and maybe a wireless HDD, like the one Seagate sells. That wireless HDD cancels out how DAPs can use microSD cards considering they come in 500gb for around $100.

Very helpful comments, thank you!  

 

[brent75]

I'm sort of in this boat too. I've always been an Apple/iDevice owner and user, and just in the past few months have discovered high(er) res audio. (and with it, things like DAPs)
 
On one hand, I SHOULD just stick with my iPhone 5s and headphones. I've got plenty of music in my iTunes library...I'm totally familiar with the iOS...it feels like every single thread dedicated to player has lots of posts about glitches and bugs...I've only got a few things purchased from HD Tracks...and I can't stand in a court of law and solemnly swear I can hear an enormous difference between my 256kbps AAC songs and my 3,000kbps ALACs.
 
On the other hand, I'm human -- I'm intrigued by something new/different. And I won't officially "know" until I try, ya dig?
 
I tried the OPPO HA-2 strapped to my iPhone with Onkyo HF Player spinning my hi-res tunes. It sounded good, but it was a tad bit of a hassle to haul around a mini stack. And of course limited by my 32gb capacity. As I've perused this board, I've come to the conclusion that the following might justify me giving a DAP a shot:
 

1. It saves battery drain on my phone
2. It may sound better than my phone (total wildcard -- but I do think things like Cowon Plenue D's Jet Effect and BBE sound enticing)
3. It could certainly store a lot more than my phone, so I wouldn't have to manually manage music as often
4. It may power my cans better than my phone? (depending on the model)

 
I feel like if I do it, I'd need to consider the $300 - $400 price point or lower. Like the Plenue D I mentioned.

 

[rebbi]

  I'm sort of in this boat too. I've always been an Apple/iDevice owner and user, and just in the past few months have discovered high(er) res audio. (and with it, things like DAPs)
 
On one hand, I SHOULD just stick with my iPhone 5s and headphones. I've got plenty of music in my iTunes library...I'm totally familiar with the iOS...it feels like every single thread dedicated to player has lots of posts about glitches and bugs...I've only got a few things purchased from HD Tracks...and I can't stand in a court of law and solemnly swear I can hear an enormous difference between my 256kbps AAC songs and my 3,000kbps ALACs.
 
On the other hand, I'm human -- I'm intrigued by something new/different. And I won't officially "know" until I try, ya dig?
I tried the OPPO HA-2 strapped to my iPhone with Onkyo HF Player spinning my hi-res tunes. It sounded good, but it was a tad bit of a hassle to haul around a mini stack. And of course limited by my 32gb capacity. As I've perused this board, I've come to the conclusion that the following might justify me giving a DAP a shot:
 

1. It saves battery drain on my phone
2. It may sound better than my phone (total wildcard -- but I do think things like Cowon Plenue D's Jet Effect and BBE sound enticing)
3. It could certainly store a lot more than my phone, so I wouldn't have to manually manage music as often
4. It may power my cans better than my phone? (depending on the model)

 
I feel like if I do it, I'd need to consider the $300 - $400 price point or lower. Like the Plenue D I mentioned.

Brent, 
Yeah, same boat and same "shoulds," too. I "should" just make do with an iPhone and a DAC/amp... but the idea of having to plug another doodad (that also needs to be charged!)  into my iPhone to play hi-res files isn't that appealing. So, I'm going to pull the trigger on an iBasso DX-80 DAP and we'll see how it goes. I'm just getting a couple of 32 gigabyte micro SD cards; I figure 64 gigs should keep me for awhile. And Amazon's return policy is generous enough that if I'm not happy, no harm done. We shall see... I'll report back!  

 

[brent75]

  Brent, 
Yeah, same boat and same "shoulds," too. I "should" just make do with an iPhone and a DAC/amp... but the idea of having to plug another doodad (that also needs to be charged!)  into my iPhone to play hi-res files isn't that appealing. So, I'm going to pull the trigger on an iBasso DX-80 DAP and we'll see how it goes. I'm just getting a couple of 32 gigabyte micro SD cards; I figure 64 gigs should keep me for awhile. And Amazon's return policy is generous enough that if I'm not happy, no harm done. We shall see... I'll report back!  

Sounds good. I'll be curious to see what your thoughts are -- I've talked myself into (and out of) just about every DAP manufacturer now.

 

[rebbi]

Just pulled the trigger on the DX 80!  I'll report back after some time to play with the thing and see how it performs.  

 

[HUM24H]

  Just pulled the trigger on the DX 80!  I'll report back after some time to play with the thing and see how it performs.  

Good luck
 
Look forward to your impressions, I currently have an iPod 5.5th Gen + Fiio A3 with my Fidue A83 for Music and then on my lunch breaks I can take my Fidue A83 and plug them into my S6 Edge Plus to watch Netflix or Anime for an hour. I have to carry multiple devices but that isn't really an issue for me plus I save battery life, save data, I'm not capped by either of the first two and it sounds way better. 

 

[rebbi]

  Good luck
 
Look forward to your impressions, I currently have an iPod 5.5th Gen + Fiio A3 with my Fidue A83 for Music and then on my lunch breaks I can take my Fidue A83 and plug them into my S6 Edge Plus to watch Netflix or Anime for an hour. I have to carry multiple devices but that isn't really an issue for me plus I save battery life, save data, I'm not capped by either of the first two and it sounds way better. 

Thanks for the good wishes. My first foray into portable lossless/hi-res. Cool.  :-D