The "Expiration Date" of DAPs and Platform Update Woes

[Dragonmilenario]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been reflecting on something that doesn’t always come up when discussing DAPs: their “expiration date.” By this, I mean how long they remain viable before platform updates—or the lack thereof—begin causing problems.

Some DAPs struggle with keeping up with app updates, streaming platform requirements, or even basic firmware support over time. It makes me wonder if these issues influence people’s decisions when purchasing a DAP.

For instance:
Do you consider how future-proof a DAP is? Have past experiences with outdated firmware or unsupported platforms affected your trust in certain brands?

Curious to hear your thoughts, I’m planning to buy my first DAP and this issue really comes in mind.

Thanks in advance.

 

[lairpost]

Just because the OS (I presume you're asking in the context of Android) is out dated doesn't mean Tidal or Qobuz or others will stop supporting it for many, many years. Yes, it's wise to choose something with 12 or 13 vs 8 but I think 8 still is viable for streaming apps. They'd simply leave too many people behind and I don't think these streaming apps have much dependance on the feature support of the OS to do what they do. I think it's also wise to NOT use a DAP for general internet use. Install what you need to install, dial it all in, then disable Play Store, etc. I stream locally from my NAS so I often have Wifi enabled for this but block access to the internet at a network level therefore 'protecting' it and more importantly terminating any metadata Google is snarfing from the device, my use, etc. Oh, create a burner account for the Play Store dedicated to the DAP. Strongly recommend you not use your normal account and thus avoiding any future hacks that could compromise the DAP and your account(s).

Playing local files using something like Foobar 2000 is likely to work beyond the viability of the modern world. I often disable Wifi to eliminate that tiny bit of noise and play local files I've ripped over decades...amazing how much good music I have and have forgotten about.

A bigger issue for me is the battery. I will only buy a DAP with a user replaceable battery. iBasso is the only one I'm aware of available in the US. The lithium polymer battery is only 'good' for ~300 cycles before its capacity degrades significantly rendering the device unusable in just a matter of a few years. Some say you can take them to a cell phone repair store and have the battery replaced on non-replaceable models. This seems fraught with danger/error/substandard outcome. I want it designed to be replaced using simple hand tools by me.

Hope this perspective and thought help

 

[psikey]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been reflecting on something that doesn’t always come up when discussing DAPs: their “expiration date.” By this, I mean how long they remain viable before platform updates—or the lack thereof—begin causing problems.

Some DAPs struggle with keeping up with app updates, streaming platform requirements, or even basic firmware support over time. It makes me wonder if these issues influence people’s decisions when purchasing a DAP.

For instance:
Do you consider how future-proof a DAP is? Have past experiences with outdated firmware or unsupported platforms affected your trust in certain brands?

Curious to hear your thoughts, I’m planning to buy my first DAP and this issue really comes in mind.

Thanks in advance.

One reason I now just use my high end Android phone with a Fiio BTR. With BTR7 & BTR17 I found sound as good as all DAPs I had anyway for my needs.

 

[2leftears]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been reflecting on something that doesn’t always come up when discussing DAPs: their “expiration date.” By this, I mean how long they remain viable before platform updates—or the lack thereof—begin causing problems.

Some DAPs struggle with keeping up with app updates, streaming platform requirements, or even basic firmware support over time. It makes me wonder if these issues influence people’s decisions when purchasing a DAP.

For instance:
Do you consider how future-proof a DAP is? Have past experiences with outdated firmware or unsupported platforms affected your trust in certain brands?

Curious to hear your thoughts, I’m planning to buy my first DAP and this issue really comes in mind.

Thanks in advance.

That is one reason I only use my DAP(s) to play music from an SD memory card with music files; no library, just a folder hierarchy of bands & albums. No reliance on other platforms then.

A bigger issue for me is the battery. I will only buy a DAP with a user replaceable battery. iBasso is the only one I'm aware of available in the US. The lithium polymer battery is only 'good' for ~300 cycles before its capacity degrades significantly rendering the device unusable in just a matter of a few years. Some say you can take them to a cell phone repair store and have the battery replaced on non-replaceable models. This seems fraught with danger/error/substandard outcome. I want it designed to be replaced using simple hand tools by me.

Post 2027 this situation may improve. EU legislation will then become effective that requires portable equipment to have easy user-replaceable batteries. The only exceptions will be for devices that need to be 100% waterproof, or on grounds of safety. I very much doubt DAP manufacturers will provide models with a user-replaceable batteries for EU countries, and models with a glued-in battery for the rest of the world.

I use a few FiiO X1 gen2 DAPs, and once the batteries go I will look and see if I can open them (there are instructions on YouTube, requires heat to soften the adhesive that holds the screen and end-caps down). If I can, then I will see if they can either be modified to work off a different battery system or if they work fine without a battery but just on USB power; size is not my concern and I never use them on the move. TBH the only reason I bought them is because they were a steal at £60, have a good sound and relatively higher voltage headphone output, so they come in handy. I would never pay the $500+ prices I see for other DAPs that have glued-in non-replaceable batteries and feeble headphone output voltage.

 

[XTF1]

I have several DAPs (and dongles, and Headphones, and IEMs), and always lurking around to buy a new one. The net result for me is that the “expiration date” has never been a concern: my DAPs end up in a drawer well before they reach their expiration date and before the number of battery cycles becomes noticeable—same as my phone.

Example: I have perfectly good Tempotec V6. Outdated Android 8.1, unknown number of hours or charging cycles. I don’t use it…

Maybe I’m a spoiled, environmentally careless, head-fier throwing money away… Am I the only one?

 

[2leftears]

Maybe I’m a spoiled, environmentally careless, head-fier throwing money away… Am I the only one?

I doubt it (yes, you can interpret that two ways )

 

[littlexx26]

fiio and cayin stop updating their daps quite early

 

[br53]

I had a similar dilemma a few weeks ago. I was to and froing between buying my first DAP or a small DAC/AMP (something more portable than my Topping NX4).

Although I really want a DAP, I had these concerns:
- Being stuck on the Android version.
- Apps stopping support for the OS version in the future.
- Battery lifespan.
- My entire library is on Roon. Roon ARC is limited to 48kHz on Android with no indication this is going to improve.

Because I don't make purchases like this frequently, when I do I tend to buy with the intention to keep and use for long time. Because of that I'm very unlikely to own multiple DAPs. Whereas I'm more likely to replace my iPhone.

Now that I have a HiBy FC5, it didn't occur to me that there would be compatibility issues with iOS. Like right now I can't use a lightning to USB-C OTG cable on iOS 18.4.1. Although I'm glad HiBy support said they will this. But it makes me question if future iOS updates could break it and I learnt that this does happen with dongle DACs. It's OK for now because I can use an Apple Camera Adaptor to make it work but it's not ideal. The other thing I didn't expect was the battery drain it has on my iPhone. Not drastic but enough that I'm looking into buying a MagSafe battery pack to use on the flight for my next holiday.

I'm still happy with the choice I made. But DAPs will continue to entice me.

 

[AboveNBeyond]

People complain like they're buying DAP to last 10+ years. The iems may die earlier than Android app support expire.

 

[honse]

It's why I've been mainly eyeing non-android daps. So far I hadn't found The one.
Battery access is also a concern of mine.

 

[2leftears]

People complain like they're buying DAP to last 10+ years. The iems may die earlier than Android app support expire.

I buy most equipment to last 10+ years if not 20+ or even 30+ years, although that isn't always feasible.

 

[AboveNBeyond]

I buy most equipment to last 10+ years if not 20+ or even 30+ years, although that isn't always feasible.

I would totally agree with desktop DAC, AMP, headphones, etc. but a DAP with a battery is going to run for like 2 hours without charging after 10 years if the battery won't bulge. Multi-driver IEMs are also risky.

 

[dykzei]

The only DAP I have is Shanling M1S, and I use it as a Bluetooth receiver, so without hoarding files in high resolution format I don't see why it is attractive option.

Android based solutions present security risks because user will inevitably be tempted to install non audio apps and use them where OS is lacking modern security level...

 

[psikey]

I buy most equipment to last 10+ years if not 20+ or even 30+ years, although that isn't always feasible.

Same, when paying £1300 for some Sony IER-Z1R they better last over 10 years!

I do look after my kit, and my Shure SE846s must be 10 yo now and still look & play as new.

I'm on a BTR17 now, but my BTR7 still in regular use and the over 5 yo BTR5 I still have functions as originally, though not needing to use currently.

I bought a BTR7 because I wanted a new toy, not because the BTR7 isn't performing, plus wanted to try out aptX lossless.

My smartphone source I normally keep 3 years before getting the upgrade itch.

 

[2leftears]

I would totally agree with desktop DAC, AMP, headphones, etc. but a DAP with a battery is going to run for like 2 hours without charging after 10 years if the battery won't bulge. Multi-driver IEMs are also risky.

Well, that's why I would like to see user-replaceable batteries make a comeback in these type of devices

Nowadays you don't buy some piece of durable portable tech that runs on a battery. You are buying an approx. 5 year practical lifespan battery with a bit of disposable portable tech (permanently) attached. In terms of wasting resources that is insane.