DAP discussion thread

At the shop with the same ZX300 set now, pretty convinced the guy you linked is deaf...

Few notes (that isn't about sound):
1) Every Sony DAP wants to build a goddamn database that takes a long time. Out of half an hour pretty sure I spent 10 mins building databases. (Pure folder mode please Sony...) I won't be too specific as if things are close.
2) A much more reasonable size and form factor without strange bulges or humps.
3) 40% of the ZX300's front is just dead space. Like, why...?
4) Direct Sound for WM1A/ZX300 and Sound Adjustment disabled for ZX2.


Using the Andros (in SE) since most people here have it:
1) Tone wise, closer to the ZX2 than the warmer WM1 series, but with a fatter low end.
2) Some compromise in dynamics. If soft to loud goes 1-10 in the WM1A, this goes from 2-10 ish.
3) Bass is not as controlled as the WM1A, which in turn is not as controlled as the Jot, but the Jot is exceptional. ZX300 adds a more flubbier mid bass, without touching sub bass.
4) Staging is reasonable, but the WM1A is slightly larger. Close enough to the ZX2.
4.5) Imaging is pin sharp on WM1A, fuzzier on ZX300.
5) Shading and microdetail is better on the WM1A and ZX2.
6) Still pretty sure it's not V shaped.

 

I might be wrong, but isn't that guy fellow SBAF friends?

 

Good impressions, I'm pretty damn happy with the WM1A but i wish it had USB DAC functionality. Also noteworthy is the new 2.0 firmware came out for the WM series. I'd be interested if you could try the QP2R, looks promising.

 

Yesterday I found my first generation iphone (the one with the Wolfson DAC) lying around and gave it a go. When it came out, I didn't have good headphones so I do not remember any flashy things about its sound quality. Right now I'm quite surprised that even with 256kbps AAC files and a mere Pinnacle P1 they sound quite good. And compared to Mojo, it's more lush and the details are certainly more recognizable. Long story short:

I think I overestimated the qualities of the Mojo all this time. So I think about selling it and going for a Sony DAP when I get my Andros. Funny thing about Sony products here in Turkey is that they're priced a lot cheaper than expected. For example, right now WM1A is around 750 USD (if you're lucky enough to find it in stock of course).

So is the ZX2 still the king with Andros? Or do the newer and inferior models like ZX300 and A35 offer satisfactory results with Andromeda considering their price/performance ratios? I can't find any info regarding their OI's as well.

 

I'd take the WM1A myself, but I prefer a warmer tone.

ZX2 is closer to neutral with the Andros.

ZX300 has the advantage of USB DAC and a far more pocket-able size. Probably not that much cheaper for you since the ZX300 is new. Otherwise sound wise it's not on the same tier.

 

Hi all. I'm looking to get an Android DAP that has the ability to store tidal offline. In addition, it would be a plus if it also has a balanced output, as it's an avenue I'd like to explore down the line. It isn't a necessity though. Also, the I'd like the Android OS to be at least lollipop. 4.4.2 is way too old for me. I understand the OS will not be blazing fast, but I'd like something with smooth scrolling at least and can handle Tidal with minimal lag.

I would be using it to primarily drive my newly bought Noble X as well as my old Westone ES5 and my soon-to-arrive Andromedas. Due to the purchase of the andros my funds are a little tight, so I will not be able to afford the new AK daps (I find them extremely overpriced anyway). Balanced would be used if available but I don't care too much for it. After reading this thread, I've come to the assumption that there isn't a android DAP in the market that is currently stable enough (hardware and software wise).

• Pioneer 100 & 300R - several reports of broken ports. Limited software support by pioneer themselves.
• Fiio X5 III - slightly laggy interface, gapless playback issues, DLNA issues.
• AK70 I - can't play tidal offline
• Ibasso DX200 - bug list changes with every fw update, but at least they're updating it regularly, also kinda confused about their amp modules.

In terms of sound quality I do really like the fiio, also I know after several months after release fiio does fix most of its bugs. I have not heard the ibasso though. I don't think I'd go down the onkyo/pioneer route as their track record is unproven and support limited. Does anyone have any other advice regarding aforementioned Android DAPs?

As for non-android DAPs, I'm currently using a shanling M2S and a Sony ZX-100. Both work really great and would serve me well till i find my next DAP. If I'm not satisfied with the android DAPs I'd probably sell the ZX-100 and move on to the ZX-300.

 

I ended selling the Pioneer, x5iii and x7. I currently use zx100. I could not wrap my brain around 6 to 10 hour battery life, less than stellar sound quality and frustratingly slow interfaces. I found my phone along with the Noble X better for streaming than a dedicated device.

 

Is the UI sluggish? How well does it work with Tidal?

I've seen some old reviews and UI looks pretty smooth, wondering how it performs in 2017. I'll try to look at the Sony store if there are any display model for me to try.

 

Dig here, there is a ton of info regarding the zx2.

 

Yeah I did. Seems like a solid player with great pairing with the Andros. However I just tried it in a store and the UI is a little too sluggish for me :/ thanks though for the suggestion!

 

just out of curiosity, did you audition the zx300 in balance and/or high gain mode?

ime, the combination of the two, even with highly sensitive iems like andros, offers a marked improvement in bass tightness and microdetailing, but renders it less warm and organic than zx2.

 

Everything in SE mode. Gain I believe was normal/low/no-H-on-vol-meter.

 

I have X53rd for several months now, started with fw 1.1.6, now it's 1.1.8. True, some bugs have been fixed, but it's still huge work to do. Most annoying bugs are:
- Fiio Music - this soft is a crap, and Viper is a joke; so I use Neutron
- no stable resume feature on SD2, it works from time to time
- laggy UI - I assume that CPU is week, so this can't be fixed
- battery life could be better
- USB file transfer is awkwardly LOW (unusable IMHO), but there is wifi, with 4-8Mbps you can live
On the other hand this is DAP within the range of my budget. After all:
- I price it very high in terms of sound quality
- I have no problems with gapless playback
- with more than 300GB of music on 2 SD cards (from mp3 128 to flac 24/192) I find it to be a versatile device; my user experience is good, but the key is proper arrangement of mmedia dbase
- responsiveness is much better after removing protective foil
Glad if could help. Please take above as subjective opinion, however.

 

At the end of the day, I've to agree with you guys regarding android DAPs. Tried basically all of them and none had a satisfying gui that is without bugs. Sure the versatility would be fantastic, but i don't think i'd have the patience. Also tried out various balanced out DAPs; sure, they might have a little more soundstage, but volume matched with SE, I can't find any difference.

At the end of the day i went back to an older device; my trusty old DX90 w/ 2.5.1 software. Hot-swappable batteries, stable & snappy UI, great sound, lots of power, can be used as a dac with my laptop on the go. Might not be a popular dap anymore but I feel that it can hold its own sound-wise with other mid-fi DAPs in 2017. Maybe i might start looking at the Sony ZX300, seems to tick all the right boxes for me as an upgrade to the dx90.

 

Wasn't the ZX1 android based? The UI was great.

 

Sony nw WM1Z and hugo2 connected with fiio x5 III in the House for the weekend.
Hugo2 has the buttered chord sound... where are the dinamics of this thing? Image and instruments separions are very good, maybe Yggdrasil level. Hugo 2 plays much louder... in the end, I think I prefer the Sony. It also has very good image, soundstage and timbre. Very full and organic sound.

 

That is interesting feedback, I use to own the Hugo 1 and felt a bit like this, ultra smooth but not super exciting. Could this thing be overhyped as well or is it a matter of pairing? Of taste?

 

How did the Fiio X5 III compare?

 

I also would like to hear how they compare: $3000 vs $400 DAP? Side by side, on the same tracks...

 

I did compared fiio x5 iii vs mojo. Mojo had better instruments separations and sounstage, but lost on dinamics, instrument timbre and excitement. This was apparent only in some kind of tracks and overall mojo has the same buttery and soft sound. I have sold the mojo and use the fiio connected to a bigger amp near my bed. I’m trying to decide if I will buy hugo 2 or Sony 1z. Only thinking in sound quality overall, Sony is better IMHO, but hugo2 can be better for other ears. Hugo2 has more options as dac, connected to a notebook or iPad. Sony it’s a dAp. I think both are overpriced. Hugo 2 it’s psychotic overpriced.