DAP discussion thread

I'm stupid for asking, but does anyone know that the Sony Smartphones like the Xperia series sound similar to their DAPs? Not like quality, but signature. I'm digging the sound sig from the Xperia XZ1 Compact that I own.

 

I was wondering whether anyone has tried the Acoustic Research M200 - it is on Massdrop atm for $100, which seems like it would be a good deal???
The few reviews seem to indicate that the AR M200 has a horrid/primitive interface but sounds good. I was contemplating getting one (since I'm used to horrid interfaces as my main dap is a Pono ).
I was wondering whether anyone has thoughts of AR M200 vs the Shanlings/Cayins/Hibys at about $300 or less.
(My appologies if the M200 has already been discussed here, I searched but was unable to find much - Thanks!!)

 

My ZX300 sounds great but hisses just a little more than I am comfortable with on some tracks. I've ordered a Cowon Plenue R to a/b against the ZX300 to decide which one to keep. Really looking forward to trying out the EQ capability of the Plenue. Does anyone here have any experience with the PR (or other Cowons) with Solaris?

 

stupid question.. but did you try the 4.4mm plug? andromeda stoped hissing in the 4.4m connection .

 

Yes. There is only the faintest hiss when music is not playing and I would guess out of about 75% of my library there is 0-neglibile hiss...but in some recordings, particularly older or orchestral recordings, it picks up a distracting amount of hiss. Much more than I was getting out of the two Fiio DAPs I had before. There is less out of the balanced out for sure, but it's still there. In all honesty I could probably live with it if I had to but I've been curious about Cowon for a while so I thought I would check out the PR.

 

I've actually had issue with distortion affecting my music. I was using the Onkyo DP-S1 as my starter DAP. The noise floor on it is solid even at max volume so I've never thought of needing to upgrade my DAP.

After getting a bunch of IEMs, I've never found one that had good treble separation. Just a few weeks ago I chanced upon Ohm-Image and found measurements for the Onkyo DP-S1 showing high THD % caused by the DAP. It was then I realized that the problem was not the IEMs but rather the player.

After searching around, I now have a Colorfly U8 on the way and also eagerly awaiting the release of the Fiio Q5s to pair with the AM3D THX module.

 

Can anyone recommend a good DAP? I was looking at the Sony ZX300, HIBY R6 or fiio M9/11.

I’m just really looking for something solid.

 

What do you care about on a DAP? That's a good starting point. Telling us to give you recommendations without you doing research is not helping you out at all.

 

I've got the Sony ZX300 and it's solid.

 

Fair enough.

I don’t need a DAP for YouTube or things like that. My main thing is some storage and just being able to listen to music. I use Spotify so being able to use that would be good. Something that’s quick and having a nice clean ui would be good.

 

Do you use Spotify? Was just wondering, with the streaming apps, can you download the music to the device itself?

 

@Stuff Jones recommendation of the ZX300 will be up your alley. However, the DAP uses Sony's own UI, so it doesn't run Android. However, the current firmware of the ZX300 does allow you to stream Bluetooth up to the LDAC standard (which is recommended if your phone supports it).

Spotify I don't believe streams lossless (I could be wrong), but if you use your phone with a ZX300, then you would stream music from your phone running Spotify to ZX300. Downside is you need two devices, but you get everything else with the ZX300 besides the Spotify quirk.

 

Good comments YMO. Thanks. I’ve been trying to google and look for some info but I just haven’t found it yet.

Would the Sony be good for a first time owner or should I get something cheaper?

 

If you get it at Joybuy its ~350 USD and well worth it for a starter. Make sure to budget for a mSD card though.

 

This part is up to you. ZX300 is borderline dumb proof as it gets. No Android, simple to use, just plan to run headphones/IEMS via balanced for best performance. Leagues better battery life than other Android DAPs in the market.

Agreed. 256/400 GB SD Cards are cheap enough if you get the ZX300A via Joybuy. However, the 512 GB Micro SD cards are in the market and at times they do sales on them (this is how I gotten three 512s over the weekend).

 

You also need to think about output impedance and what types of headphones/iems you are going to use.

I loved the Cowon P1, but the output impedance made it tougher to use with certain iems.

Btw, I gave up on Android based DAPs. They are rife with compromises and propped up with meaningless specs/features.

 

Think they are out.

 

Shows it in stock for me.

 

They wont ship to Canada. Says please select another Country.

 

Well at least you got the NBA championship.