[OldDude04]

Got the Null Audio 2pin to 4.4mm cable in today. Damn it's a good looking cable.

 

[OldDude04]

Gorgeous, isn't she?

There is something about a red DAP. I've had a couple and they are just sexy.

 

[seanwee]

Well I have owned both M11 and dx160 , M11 has more stable Bluetooth and WiFi but imo it's audio doesn't come close dx160 original or 2020, dx160 has better stage, better layering and not as treble focused as M11 , can't speak for hiby r5 but again I have heard stage and layering not as good as dx160 ... although it's more expensive I still think the shanling m6 pro possibly is one of the best pound for pound as it's audio , stability and build are all supposed to be Very good.

And thanks @Podster.... love my kayaking would go every day if I could.

unfortunately I can't directly compare to the M11 or DX160 as I haven't had the chance to use them.

Here's my Dap ranking (purely by SQ)

--------------------N6ii (with Ti and Sabre modules) || DX220 (with Amp 9)
Upper midrange--M11 Pro || DX220 (with all other Amp modules) || SE100
--------------------R6 Pro || N6ii (stock module)
--------------------DX 160 || R6 SS
--------------------
--------------------
Midrange---------M11 || N5ii || R6
--------------------
--------------------
--------------------M9 || DX150 (stock)
--------------------R5
Budget------------M6 || M7
--------------------N3

Edit: Spacing didnt work

So where the M11 is solidly in the midrange, the DX160 is closer to a upper midrange dap but not quite there yet.
And while i'd like to call daps like the R6 pro and N6ii stock as "upper midrange", they lack some special quality that cements them as an upper midrange dap.

 

[seanwee]

There is something about a red DAP. I've had a couple and they are just sexy.

I'm a big fan of the "iron man" colour scheme of red and gold. I would have gotten the X5iii over the N5ii if it didnt sound so bad.

 

[DBaldock9]

Here's my Dap ranking (purely by SQ)

--------------------N6ii (with Ti and Sabre modules) || DX220 (with Amp 9)
Upper midrange--M11 Pro || DX220 (with all other Amp modules) || SE100
--------------------R6 Pro || N6ii (stock module)
--------------------DX 160 || R6 SS
--------------------
--------------------
Midrange---------M11 || N5ii || R6
--------------------
--------------------
--------------------M9 || DX150 (stock)
--------------------R5
Budget------------M6 || M7
--------------------N3

Edit: Spacing didnt work

So where the M11 is solidly in the midrange, the DX160 is closer to a upper midrange dap but not quite there yet.
And while i'd like to call daps like the R6 pro and N6ii stock as "upper midrange", they lack some special quality that cements them as an upper midrange dap.

I'm wondering what your ranking would look like, if you took WiFi / Bluetooth streaming performance into account?

 

[seanwee]

I'm wondering what your ranking would look like, if you took WiFi / Bluetooth streaming performance into account?

Nothing much to say really, either it works or it doesnt work. I also dont have subscriptions to any streaming service so the best i can do is free spotify or youtube.

A short breakdown would be
Any exynos/snapdragon dap - Usable
Rk3368 daps - Usable with occasional performance issues
Rk3188 daps - Unusable

 

[DBaldock9]

Nothing much to say really, either it works or it doesnt work. I also dont have subscriptions to any streaming service so the best i can do is free spotify or youtube.

A short breakdown would be
Any exynos/snapdragon dap - Usable
Rk3368 daps - Usable with occasional performance issues
Rk3188 daps - Unusable

I've seen reviews / comparisons of some of these DAPs, which say their radios have a short range - compared to standard phones & tablets.
.
That's why I was asking about streaming performance.
.
I know that my DP-X1B, even though it was more than $500, had fairly poor WiFi & BT range - when compared to a Google Nexus 5 phone, or a LG V30 phone.

 

[seanwee]

I've seen reviews / comparisons of some of these DAPs, which say their radios have a short range - compared to standard phones & tablets.
.
That's why I was asking about streaming performance.
.
I know that my DP-X1B, even though it was more than $500, had fairly poor WiFi & BT range - when compared to a Google Nexus 5 phone, or a LG V30 phone.

That's not really streaming performance, more like wireless performance.

I assume the poor range is due to the shorter antennas they have internally. Can't have two antennas spanning half the length of the device each. Signal isolation would be a nightmare.

I managed to improve the WiFi reception of my N5ii by installing an aftermarket antenna meant for laptops. Signal reception was twice as good.

 

[majo123]

Looks like the Shanling M6 (not Pro) is about the same price as my Onkyo DP-X1B, which I bought in late 2016. My DP-X1B has a bad battery, and a crashed OS - so I'd like to replace it with another Android DAP.

EDIT: The M6 Pro is ~$250 more than my DP-X1B.

Both dx160 and M11 have flaws , for me the audio on M11 is too treble focused and lacks stage and layering compared to dx160, but the rest, build, Bluetooth, wi-fi, UI are Stellar.
dx160, build isn't as good more plasticky and obviously the elephant in the room Bluetooth but wi-fi is pretty stable and no problems using Amazon HD...... personally I would spend/save up if needed the extra 250 dollars for m6 pro as by all accounts it is excellent in every area and still cheaper than M15 or cayin n6ii , drawbacks. maybe power and also shanling don't take back returns if there's a problem , you have to return to supplier so always buy from reputable dealer with easy returns.

 

[seanwee]

Both dx160 and M11 have flaws , for me the audio on M11 is too treble focused and lacks stage and layering compared to dx160, but the rest, build, Bluetooth, wi-fi, UI are Stellar.
dx160, build isn't as good more plasticky and obviously the elephant in the room Bluetooth but wi-fi is pretty stable and no problems using Amazon HD...... personally I would spend/save up if needed the extra 250 dollars for m6 pro as by all accounts it is excellent in every area and still cheaper than M11 or cayin n6ii , drawbacks. maybe power and also shanling don't take back returns if there's a problem , you have to return to supplier so always buy from reputable dealer with easy returns.

The M6 Pro was part of my consideration as well. It looks promising but so far Shanling daps have always had this colouration that I'm not a fan of.

 

[majo123]

The M6 Pro was part of my consideration as well. It looks promising but so far Shanling daps have always had this colouration that I'm not a fan of.

From what I have Heard it is better sounding than any other shanling dap by far, I have considered myself but no stock in UK and because of the non return to shanling and the current shipping problems due to covid I'm waiting.

 

[groucho69]

WOW: Year

 

[Podster]

 

[Podster]

OK, since I always have that crazy daily indecision on just what to listen too maybe I can get some Lounger input and it will be like my buds helped me have a great audio day

So today the "Big Orange" is loaded to the gills with:
Rigs:
Always have my iPhone 6 with choice of ES-100 or BTR3K.
Shanling M2/RS Tomahawk
U2 30gb Classic Pod
Colorfly C3/Topping NX1s
Bengie X6
Shanling M3s/JDS Labs C421
the bit Opus #1/Xduoo XD05 Plus
Shanling M1 (Did I ever mention I like Shanling)

Ear ticklers:
AKG N40's
Meze Solos
Ikko OH1's
KZ DT5's
LZ A4's
Dunu Titan 6
Moondrop Starfield's
KB Ear Diamond's
TheiAudio Legacy III
LZ A6 Mini

Hefty Hefty Cans:
AKG K553 Pro
Senn 6XX
AT Air ATH-AD900X

Tricky right

 

[Whazzzup]