DAP discussion thread

Any chance you could explain how to do this for the zx707?

 

Have a chance at getting one for below SRP but I figured I'd ask around first - and I feel this is a big ask - how's the Andro / Ara with the M6U compared to the ZX2 sonics? Poking around there's a fair bit of reviews out there, but they don't pair with what I have and none of them listen to the same or similar things I do (which this group does - Hammock is <3) There really isn't much in terms of impressions in this thread save for the 3 or 4 who have it (Thank you) and even less from the loaner thread.

 

It's been quite a while since I fired up the ZX2, so going on memory here. I never compared the ZX2 directly with M6U, only with the M6 PRO. With Andro OG, The M6 PRO was more dynamic (macro) and focused more on attack and leading edge, but lacked the micro finesse and filigreed note decays that the ZX2 had. I'm sure some folks would say the PRO is a bit etched sounding. And it wasn't a good pairing with Senn HD6xx whatsoever. After I dumped the M6 PRO, the biggest thing that impressed me about the M6U was a much better sense of midrange liquidity and ease, and the highs were no less detailed than M6 PRO, but without the over emphasis on the note edges. The bass on the M6U is a bit loose sounding (maybe slightly downward tilted overall), but only when comparing directly to the PRO. What I do love about the M6U is its ability to drive both Andro and my JARHD660s quite satisfyingly. That's an impresive feat for a portable.

It's not apples to apples, but switching between M6U + Andro (4.4mm out) and BF2OG + Jot2 + Andro, and M6U (LO 4.4mm to XLR) + Jot2 + Andro, the difference between BF2OG and the M6U was slight but appreciable. BF2OG had more extended sub bass and slightly less bloat in the upper bass, but the mids and treble were pretty close between the two. Keep in mind tho, it's been a hot minute since I compared this stuff head-to-head. Although in closing, I havne't had any desire for betterer with the M6U; it's goldilocks "just right" (or guud enuff) to me and my ears with the two vastly different headphone loads.

 

Do you have any recommendations for DAPs to drive an 800s? I was thinking of Fiio m11 or something around 400-700. I also considered the Mojo 2 if the sound would be that much better, and I would then use my iPhone. I do need something for streaming Qobuz.

 

You need a power DAP. A Shanling M6U , M8 or M9. All of these will power the 800S and other headphones and stream your Qobuz. The M6U is the most portable. Check used Classifieds here and headFi.

 

no mods. The 800s are pretty large for portability purposes anyway, but I do love them

 

Speaking as someone who used to lug an iFi micro iDSD and DT880s around to work and school and home and back... yeah it's not worth it (though the fact that the iFi let you use it as a power bank has saved my butt on at least one occasion). I respect wanting a good transportable rig vs an actually portable one, that's a fully valid use case, but my scoliosis dictated I stop carrying the Klipsch HP-3s around and move to IEMs.

I haven't explicitly tried HD800s with anything portable yet but just going by numbers (gasp) most DAPs that aren't proper bricks e.g. the FiiO M17 will be found very wanting for power, and even that relatively beefy M17 I think isn't the best for full headphones (it was the only thing I got to try a ZMF Atrium out of when I had an opportunity to demo one locally, I found it pretty boring. Doubt it was the ZMF at fault).

I could borrow a friend's modded (SDR, rug liner) HD800 since he isn't using them atm (I'm already borrowing his Focal Clear Pros soon to try with some stuff I have lying around, he preemptively offered the Senns but I declined cuz I'm not the biggest fan of them sorry), see what works with it at store demos and such, but I really don't think you'll find much luck there.

Maybe get some more efficient supra-aural headphones or IEMs to complement your HD800Ses if that's feasible?

 

One option would be to pick up an ETA 02. They're easy to drive and have the same kind of lovely, open and spacious sound as the HD 800, without the treble peak. I'd not call the 02 a more affordable HD 800. The tuning is different. But it does share some qualities with the HD 800, including also decent (albeit lower) resolution, a nicely lively sound, thanks to the snappy transients, and a lighter, more ethereal tonality.

And there are a couple for sale here:

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-eta-o2.14102/

https://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/fs-eta-o2.13931/#post-423446

 

DAPs are so 2010s. TWS stuff like the Airpods Pros 2 mostly killed what left of a DAP that I really need.

 

I still find my A55 Walkman more satisfying than any TWS available today. Convenience be damned.

 

Thanks for talking me off the ledge. I guess I'll look more into DAP or even a dongle and get easier-to-drive headphones. I thought about a smaller DAC/amp stack for when I work in the office, but nah...

I do wish I could find something not battery-based and that has some sort of possibility for longevity. I don't need a super small fits in my pocket kindof setup.

 

I found a DAP that pairs pretty well with the HD800s and it's the Hiby R6 Pro II. It took some of that upper mid glare off of the HD800s and drove it decent enough at high gain 80% of max volume in 4.4mm balance mode. IMO, R6 Pro II pairs better than the RS8 and Fiio M17. R6 Pro II gave it fuller body and it's less edgy sounding. You could probably pick one up for $600ish when there's a big sale at AliExp.

 

I think I might get my first DAP this year - FiiO M17 unless they release a successor. My use case is on the go listening with the DCA E3, and while my Mojo 2 is adequate, it's not very convenient as the phone has to be plugged into it (I've had horrendous software reliability issues with the Poly).

 

Is anyone using their DAP as a digital transport using either coax or toslink digital out? I know this is an uncommon use case but I have a Chord Mojo 2 I've been using with my laptop but I'd like to go even more portable with a more compact setup.

I don't want to use a phone to feed the Mojo 2 because the Chord is known to have a white noise blast problem when sample rates change through a USB connection. The coax or toslink input is free from this issue.

That pretty much leaves DAP's as the only portable source that can output a digital signal through toslink or coax.

It's pretty hard to find impressions of DAP's used as a digital transport (probably because they use combo 3.5mm coax ports that require custom digital cables from companies like Moon Audio).

I'm just curious if anyone has used their DAP as a digital transport and what kind of sound quality they got compared to desktop digital sources.

 

Edit - NM, misread.