DAP discussion thread

So very true. Every dap I've owned I've had to compromise unfortunately. There are some really good ones, but the search for the best is still ongoing.

 

Never read that HM901S mentioned here...besides that ugly OS and clunky control, their SQ is abseloutly stunning.

 

I've never heard any of the Hifimans daps. I've only read about how great they sound. I can't get past their design, it's not my taste. I prefer something more modern with a nice nice GUI.

 

All this talk of fancy daps and I've still got my v1 Sansa Fuze ticking away...
(flaky screen, weak battery now, but still works)

 

An ipod classic 5.5th gen with wolfson chip (bought refurbished for not that much at all) is actually pretty decent. Decent resolution, slightly v-shaped, decent battery life and you can get an 80gb one. I think that's the value leader if you're okay with a mid-fi lifestyle on the cheapish. Definitely room to upgrade to something better, but it'll keep you on a long trip or on commute for a time.

Supposedly the Questyle's wheel has been fixed, so that's the go-to DAP that I'd buy if I wasn't waiting for the GeekWave to precipitate from the ethereal octave or wherever Larry is pulling it out of.

 

In my view UI is overrated provided it works consistently. Bad UI just steepens the learning curve which maybe adds a few days to becoming comfortable. But once learned its hard to differentiate from good UI and those few days learning quickly fade from memory.

Plus I think many people to the bulk of their listening on a laptop with foobar or other program. Hard to beat that for UI and with the geek out or similar, sound.

On the go I want size, sound and battery life.

 

I could put up with average UI if it means better sound/battery (or in the case of the Pono, put up with an average UI and poor battery for great sound), but a truly bad UI that makes the device frustrating to use isn't acceptable, especially at the prices these DAPs go for.

 

Yeah that's a fair about the price, you should expect something more usable when you're shelling out more than an ipad just for sound alone.

 

One of my favorite daps, the Fiio X3 OG, still love it. Used to get plenty of playing time, even while owning the AK240 and zx2. Just love the sound signature. Hate that UI, if you want to even call it an UI.

I did have the LPG (lotoo paw gold) on loaner, the best dap I've heard (stock, unmodified). What killed me was the UI, no search feature. That is a deal breaker. I almost purchased it anyway. I love that device. Has built in parametric equalizer, IIRC, only 5 band, but amazing sound. Plenty of power, good battery life, felt like it was built like a tank. I even liked the screen, had two meters, which was pretty sweet. Pricey, but what isn't...

 

I very much like the Shozy Alien Gold. For 200 you get very good sound and there's something relieving about not having to make musical choices all the time (its screenless). It makes me listen to whole albums more rather than jumping around as seems to be increasingly common now with so much choice at our fingertips.

Size and build are excellent too.

 

I couldn't would drive me crazy. My moods are all over the place. Plus, for the gym, that'd be a nightmare, even if I has an SD card full of gym music. People do love the sound though. Only a small percentage of people have said bad about it. Wasn't Shozy working on a new dap as well?

 

Just have a mSD filled up with gym music and put it on shuffle.

Yeah the Gold was the new version. Revised architecture and build but same form. Noticeable SQ improvement with better clarity but still a nice non digital sound. It's got some umph too and has been accused of hiss, which is why I'm worrying about it if I cave and buy the Campfire Andromeda.

 

How bad is the hiss? Only when not playing? That I can deal with, but during songs, low volume, would drive me crazy.

 

No hiss for me with the Flare IEMs but they aren't sensitive.

 

Probably nothing to worry about. Are you sensitive to hiss? If not, I wouldn't worry about it. The worst I've owned were the Shure Se846, but I rarely heard hiss.

 

I haven't been sensitive so far but I don't think I've had sensitive equipment yet. I've gone from TDK ie800 to Zero Audio Tenores to Aurisonic Rockets to Flares.

Haven't had BAs yet.

 

I have been anxious to hear a SQ comparison with the new amp modules. Does the new amp change the sound or just make it louder? Better/worse/different/same? Love to hear your thoughts!

BTW, is it powerful enough to not beg for an amp making it a single DAP solution eliminating the need for a stack - CIEMs/full sized HPs?

 

I have to do some comparisons between the am5 and 2. Initially I didn't update the software, so I only heard a slight increase in volume. I was told that the new software changes things a little.

I have no need for an external amp anymore, that much I know. I don't have hard to drive headphones, only the Th900 unfortunately. I do have some hard to drive IEMS, or power hungry IEMS, which the am5 drives well.

I believe it's rated at 1600mw@16ohms. Downside is the battery takes a hit, down to 6 hours.

 

You can do the volume output trick and it unleashes some serious power from the ZX2. Seems to do away with that smoothed over feel to the stock sound. The thing is you can't use any enhancements as it disables any sound adjustments. You have to run it clean. It seems to me to help battery life as well.

From a member on HF:

========================================

Originally Posted by Whitigir

So my ultimate Resolution :

Go to setting, and disable the Sound-enhancement app. Make sure you use the app before disabling it like ticking DSEE HX and whatever else. Disable it for the best ultimate listening experience, and the truest form of quality from ZX2.

Enjoy guys. Took me 10 months to figure all of this out roflmao. Can't blame me though. I used it with the enhancement app disabled for months, and only recently got back to it a few months ago, did not imedietly notice any big differences until I sat down recently and started to analyze it as I could observe some unsatisfying feelings


Yes

1/ open enhancement app, and tick DSEE HX or whatever options, don't matter.
2/ go to setting, then apps
3/ swipe left to the end for the tab "all"
4/ scroll down and look for "sound enhancement" app. Select it, disable
5/ confirm

***if you are listening while disabling the app*** turn your volume down....the sound will be 2-3x louder at the same volume level !! Don't blow your ears drums

I believe I get the best juices and quality from ZX2. Now this is true audio quality, and non of the color, software enhancement craps....won't even be possible to EQ, but I doubt you need it if "true, accuracy, realistic, quality" music is what you are chasing for. Assuming why you buy this ZX2 in the first place

1/ use TRRS connection whenever possible
2/ have to disable "sound enhancement" apps

Please sticky, if someone can

 

CN11, I did. It helped but I still needed more. That was the same trick on the zx1. Are you the same CN from head-fi?