DAP discussion thread

Anyone see the latest update on Geek Wave? Chassis sounds huge: 151mm * 75mm * 14mm
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/geek-wave-a-no-compromise-portable-music-player#/updates

Is this huge compared to other players on the market now?

 

It's a little on the large side, but definitely not ridiculously large. I own the Calyx M, and while it's a little on the large side compared to other DAP's, it's not large enough to make it difficult to handle or operate using only 1 hand. It's dimensions, and embeded photo below, for comparison are 135.50 x 70 x 14.80mm.

 

Slightly smaller than iPhone 6+ but thicker. No too bad.

 

Questyle qp1r is impressive. I wouldn't quite call it a desktop amp in a dap, but it's not far off. Powers full sized headphone fairly easily. I'm not sure how it competes against the AK line (can't afford AK), but the qp1r is my new best friend.

 

Shozy Alien is good at its price point. Great form factor too.

Edit: latest version is better sounding than original.

 

So is the QP1R the way to go at the moment for a DAP? I'm not going to buy anything from AK, but am looking for something under $1000 to replace my Fiio X3II for my UERM and whatever other headphones I feel like. Having something running Android would be nice for streaming Tidal, but the Fiio X7 doesn't seem to be all that. The Onkyo player is interesting, however.

 

@blackships The Onkyo is a good way to go if you need Android, and want 2 microsd slots and balanced capabilities, I wrote some thoughts in it's own thread. As of a couple months ago there was a minor bug with Tidal where sound would cut out for a second every couple songs. I don't have TIDAL anymore, and haven't been keeping up with reading on issues (the HeadFi thread is a good, if extremely noisy and bloated source of info) but one would think it would be patched up at some point, especially with the official Onkyo release in the West

 

I currently own a Fiio X7 and with the amp modules, to me it's a winner. Only portable device I've owned that does not need an external amp. I also demoed the LPG (lotoo paw gold) and if not for the archaic UI, I'd have purchased it. Powerful, long battery life, parametric eq, and built like a tank. If it had a search function for music, it could be acceptable.

I also was able to listen to M1 Esther analog. Another fine sounding dap, just bad UI.

The Fiio X7 is my first choice due to its flexibility. The amp modules are brilliant. Play store is a wonderful addition, you can stream with Tidal, change the music player app. I also rooted it, and added Viper4Android (for me a must for portable audio, especially if you are a basshead). Best sounding dap I've owned (after my tweaks) handily beats the AK240, zx2, zx1, Rwak120b, ak120ii, and ak100ii. I've owned them all. Along with a fewer cheaper daps.

The closest would be the LPG, but fiio edges it out. Fiio is pretty reasonable as well.

One caveat, the am1 (included amp module) is basically worthless. Can't eq bass in, it distorts, as it is way too underpowered.

 

So the amp included in the $600 asking price is crap? How much are the other modules?

 

I feel it is. There are some that like it. It will not drive headphones or hard to drive IEMS. The other modules are $99 (amazon), but may go up in the future.

 

So really it's $700 at a minimum because the poor built in module essentially forces you to get another module.

Still cheaper than a lot of DAPs, but that does feel deceptive.

 

Nope, the FiiO cheapie house timbre (plastic-ish) plus the sabotaged (intentionally or not) stock amp really ruined X7 for me. With Jupiter X7 sounded unresolving and plastic as hell that I can't believe FiiO putting this as their statement product to compete with the big guys. Even worse than X5ii. If supposedly the upgraded module does sound better, then put the damn module as stock and don't offer it as upgrade.

 

I completely agree with you bro, am1 was a huge mistake. I believe in the future they are shipped without an amp module. Unfortunate for those of us early adopters. I have the am2 and have the am5 arriving tomorrow. If you can get past the am1, the X7 is a great dap. I'd grab that before any if my previous daps, all of which cost significantly more. That includes my AK240 and zx2.

 

I'm curious how the upgraded amps sound compared to the Pono.

 

I've never heard the Pono, never wanted to. The odd shape was always a turn off to me unfortunately. I've read that balanced, it was a very good dap.

 

Yep, in balanced mode it's terrific. The shape is actually really useful for anytime it's not in your pocket.

 

Unfortunately, I use my stuff on the go a good portion of the time. Maybe I'll consider grabbing one for my office. I can leave my X7 at home...that might work.

 

How's the battery life balanced?

 

About 5 hours. Not amazing for a portable but the sound is delicious.

 

5 hours would be close to my lower limit for a portable. I would still be Ok with it, considering access to outlets and most people have some sort of powerbank these days. Never quite understood the obsession with having obscene amounts of play time, as in 18+ hours. To each his own, but charging a device once a night or every other night isn't a problem for me. I certainly find anything over 12 hours overkill, I'd prefer the device to have a stronger amp section.

Prime example, Sony zx1 and zx2. Great devices, especially the zx2, but damn that amp section. Way too weak. I don't need all that playing time, I prefer just a little more power for my basshead desires.