wolfen68
Headphoneus Supremus
I recently decided to update on the information and everybody's opinions on the latest crop of DAP's we have available at this time. What a great time for the portable music enthusiast...it's been fun catching up on the forums!
I've been pretty happy with my portable setup, though it is dated. My iBasso DX80 works well on the go with a warmish presentation, and when I want to get serious serves as a transport to my "desktop" balanced DAC and amp (iBasso DB-1 and an RSA SR-71b). This "desktop" setup sounds great and coupled with a Drop 6XX serves as my own personal "Summit-fi".
Then something changed. After seeing the proliferation of dongles, I decided to experiment with an iFi GoBar. Ultimately, it sounds great and is virtually equal to my DX80 when using the GoBar's balanced output (a feature the DX80 doesn't have). I also love the snappiness and navigation on my Android phone which is light years beyond the DX80. The only downsides so far, the dongle is a little awkward on the go, and it does not appear my DB-1 DAC can accept a USB OTG input from a phone.
I'm weighing two options:
- Find a simple mid-fi modern DAP that isn't a brick, isn't buggy, sounds good with android level navigation, a 4.4 balanced output, and has a good digital output to feed my desktop setup. I only play local files, no streaming features needed.
- Stick with the phone as the transport and replace my DB-1 with a DAC that can receive a USB OTG input and feed the SR-71b with a (balanced?) signal that will let it shine. I suppose the other alternative is to replace the DB-1 and SR-71b entirely with a setup that is equal or better in sound quality.
Darn this dongle experiment...I'm really stumped as these are two entirely different directions. Any thoughts on advantages or disadvantages of each option and/or hardware recommendations would be appreciated!
I've been pretty happy with my portable setup, though it is dated. My iBasso DX80 works well on the go with a warmish presentation, and when I want to get serious serves as a transport to my "desktop" balanced DAC and amp (iBasso DB-1 and an RSA SR-71b). This "desktop" setup sounds great and coupled with a Drop 6XX serves as my own personal "Summit-fi".
Then something changed. After seeing the proliferation of dongles, I decided to experiment with an iFi GoBar. Ultimately, it sounds great and is virtually equal to my DX80 when using the GoBar's balanced output (a feature the DX80 doesn't have). I also love the snappiness and navigation on my Android phone which is light years beyond the DX80. The only downsides so far, the dongle is a little awkward on the go, and it does not appear my DB-1 DAC can accept a USB OTG input from a phone.
I'm weighing two options:
- Find a simple mid-fi modern DAP that isn't a brick, isn't buggy, sounds good with android level navigation, a 4.4 balanced output, and has a good digital output to feed my desktop setup. I only play local files, no streaming features needed.
- Stick with the phone as the transport and replace my DB-1 with a DAC that can receive a USB OTG input and feed the SR-71b with a (balanced?) signal that will let it shine. I suppose the other alternative is to replace the DB-1 and SR-71b entirely with a setup that is equal or better in sound quality.
Darn this dongle experiment...I'm really stumped as these are two entirely different directions. Any thoughts on advantages or disadvantages of each option and/or hardware recommendations would be appreciated!