DAP discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by zerodeefex, Oct 8, 2015.

  1. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

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    I disliked the DX200 with Amp1 and it kind of ruined it for me. I am sure the subsequent are better, but that first one was lifeless. I stick to LPG and WM1Z. The LPG will remain my baby. There are also the new generation DAPs, the LP Touch, was not convinced by the reference tuning I heard but it was not final, and the UI is awesome. The R2R2000 is interesting, but half baked at this stage, not to mention price. The Cayin N8 is way too warm for me. TLDR these new products are interesting but nothing is making me want to sell my LPG and WM1Z. Not even close.
     
  2. Warrior

    Warrior RIP 2021

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    I had the LPG on loaner, and I absolutely loved it. One of the best sounding daps I've ever heard. I thought operating it would have been terrible, but it wasn't too bad at all. Great dap.
     
  3. Nordpol Anton

    Nordpol Anton New

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    shouldnt be the tuning of the LPGT a more „musical“ interpretation of the original LPG? What didn’t you like of the reference tuning? Too hot sounding?
     
  4. Mimouille

    Mimouille Facebook Friend

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    This is what they told me the objective was, but to me it sounded less visceral. Maybe the tuning was not final. But it sounded definitely more flat than the LPG.
     
  5. iFi audio

    iFi audio MOT iFi Audio

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    Can't blame you, it's a great DAP. It has a character.
     
  6. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    20180807_213102.jpg 20180807_213119.jpg
    Just got in my Astell & Kern Sr15 (nevermind the A&Norma sub-branding). I ditched my Fiio X7II. Initial impressions are favorable :the new Cirrus Logic 43198 dual dacs are pretty good sounding out of the box. Better sounding and less grainy than the previous 4398 chips in my ak100ii. It's got great extension and definitionin the bass, reminiscent of a ak4490, but with actual mid-range definition. Treble is nicely extended without harshness. All listening done with my Oppo Pm-3.
     
  7. DrForBin

    DrForBin Friend

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    hello,

    it would appear that the A&K KANN ticks all the boxes:
    overwhelming storage (and solid state, to boot.).
    an all powerful amp (allowing one to audition nearly any headphone using a known sonic profile.) n.b. if i am in some strange place that actually has cans to audition, it would be really nice to listen to tunes i know.
    tremendous battery life. (which makes the damn thing really f*cking BIG.)
    why does it suck?

    at present i am rocking a 160G iPod, a JDS Labs C5 amp, which is a fairly substantial LUMP in my pocket.
    thus, i wear a hoodie.
    and, i can hear the music i love fairly well.
    however, all of these devices are obsolete, and parts are near impossible to replace.

    MrsForBin will only listen to her 160G iPod (she detests the SONY NWZ-A17 that we have in the house.)

    yet again, i am still looking for a replacement portable eco-system to keep my bride happy.

    why isn't the KANN my solution?
     
  8. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    KANN was a step in the right direction by AK. It checked all boxes: Storage, UI, Power, Battery and Features. But from what I've heard from some of my friends, where it falls short is the sound quality compared to other DAPs that could be had for almost similar price (DX200, WM1A, Opus 2).
     
  9. Mithrandir41

    Mithrandir41 Friend

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    The one area it falls short, imo is sound quality. While having great bass resolution, it sounds scooped and a bit bland in the mids. The treble is nice and sparkly, but a bit vague too my ears. It sounds decent overall, but I think almost every other AK I've heard sounds better. I do think the line out sounds good into an external amp, which makes me think the built in amp is the bottleneck.
     
  10. neogeosnk

    neogeosnk Friend

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    DX200 is great but the wife didn't like it cause it doesn't fit in her purse. She's happy with the AKJR for now. Now is the key word.
     
  11. natemact

    natemact New

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    I'm quite sufficed with my DX200 + Amp8 (DX208 as the kids say). The fully discrete design of Amps 7 and 8 is a significant upgrade over previous amps. I had 3, 4s, 5 and 8 is in another league respectively. But, the DX208 is really at it's best when playing DSD512 files. I'm talking about just redbook files upsampled to DSD512 offline via a program like XiSRC (a ton of info on the other forum about this).

    I don't believe in witchcraft - though I do hear a difference in cables and spent accordingly - but I never saw any benefit to upsampling......with the DX208 that's another story though. I can say with zero exaggeration and confirmed by many over there, the improvements are not subtle and very easily heard. Tried DSD256 but only 512 is worth the ridiculous file size of ~1.5G/song. Considering the ESS9028's upsample rate, it's no surprise 256 shows no benefits TBHWY.

    With the 66pc limited run DX200Ti getting a lot of honest praise, I'm really looking forward to the DX200's successor...though still a ways away.....
     
  12. jafnvaegi

    jafnvaegi Friend

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    @matique Just wondering your thoughts/impression on the Hiby R3 now that it's been a little over a month since you last wrote about tit, assuming you still have it that is. I have one on the way to try. Cheers!
     
  13. logscool

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    Looking into replacing my DP-X1 with something else. Both the ZX300a and the Cayin N5iis seem to be very solid choices. I haven't seen too many people talk about the sound of the N5iis though.

    I really like the idea of great battery life on the sony but I'd need to pair it with a 400GB sd card. The cayin on the other hand has two card slots to accept my current dual 200GB cards and also can do streaming stuff which I don't use much. So for about the same price after I get an sd card for the sony which sounds better? I'd use it mostly with my UERM and PM-3 both of them can be balanced but would need new cables for the sony.
     
  14. jowls

    jowls Never shitposts (please) - Friend

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    DAP related press release from Sony.

    https://www.sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/201809/18-0905B/

    Confirmation of USB DAC and BT receiver modes for WM1x (firmware due in October). ZX300G with 128GB onboard and BT receiver mode. This will enable use of streaming services via a smartphone.
     
  15. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    Excited to try the new firmware with my 1Z! Wonder when in October it will drop? The previous PPT slides from Sony I believe said "Fall" and now these new models are launching on Oct 6th, so hope the firmware comes closely thereafter.
     
  16. AvijitS25

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    The Cayin N8 just came out has anyone had a chance to try it yet? I went down to Headfoneshop today and they had it in. It is a very interesting device, Incredibly unique but the price though (4.3k CAD. The ability to switch between SS and tubes looks cool. I tried for about 3 different songs and found it to be pretty nice but it was a brief listen so I can not make any proper comments about the sound. Furthermore, I did not have my Zx300 to compare against.

    All I know is the product is not for me but is fairly interesting in what it is and does.
     
  17. Mystic

    Mystic Mystique's Spiritual Advisor

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    Out of my element when it comes to portable audio, however I am using it more and more these days. Recently got a Vega and am loving the sound, but it is underserved with my Cowon Plenue D.

    I remember when I jumped to a Gungnir Multibit and Sonett 2 a couple years ago, the jump in sound quality was noticeable and worth it for me. I'm wondering if similar investments bring similar improvements in the portable source world? I was originally looking to buy a Cowon Plenue R or M2 for around $400, but am now thinking of just going all in for a Plenue 2 mk2 for $1k. I like Cowons because of their robust dsp settings (I EQ my Vegas).
     
  18. Dash

    Dash Friend

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    I would try the Plenue 2 for $799 first. Battery life is pretty meh.
     
  19. mscott58

    mscott58 Friend

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    The Sony NW-WM1A is also a good choice, especially in balanced mode. Can EQ as well. Cheers
     
  20. EagleWings

    EagleWings Friend

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    Cowons have a very nice semi-PMEQ. Sony's just a typical 10-Band Graphic EQ. Cowon's is also 10-Band, but you have the option to choose between 3 frequencies for each band:

    63/76/92, 112/135/164, 200/240/290, 350/430/520, 620/750/910, 1.1k/1.3k/1.6k, 2k/2.4k/2.9k, 3.5k/4.2k/5.1k, 6.2k/7.5k/9k, 10.9k/13.2k/16k
     

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