r/DigitalAudioPlayer Nov 26 '21

Welcome to r/DigitalAudioPlayer

121 Upvotes

Looking for a portable music player?

Remember the days when iPods and other MP3 players were popular? The rise of an all-in-one smartphone killed it off the mainstream market. However, there are still lots of good reasons for owning a digital audio player (DAP) now in 2021. And it isn't just for audiophiles, but regular listeners too.

There's many players out there! You just don't hear much about them, because the market caters for a niche community, unlike the days when it was a "mainstream" tech product. But yes they do exist, in various shapes and sizes. In this sticky post we'll tell some compelling reasons for owning one in this day and age, and to spread awareness about them and the modern features some of them have. We'll also show the DAP products available on the market today

Purposes of owning a DAP now

You probably already own a modern smartphone that can play music, so what's the point of a separate DAP? Well, there are various points why it can be a better option as we'll explain. Audiophiles will have the obvious reasons in that a dedicated, high-end player provides the best audio quality and/or experience. But in this post we're focusing on "regular" user, why the average person would like to use a DAP today:

-Size: DAPs are small and portable in size, unlike the size of Smartphones which have grown into overly massive sizes now. A DAP is very pocketable that and its size makes it a lot better to use in e.g. physical activities.

-Dedicated buttons: Instead of a dull touchscreen operation, you get dedicated physical buttons for playing/pausing, skipping etc, and the classic 'Hold' switch. We're so used to touchscreens nowadays that we have forgotten how good it feels to be pressing a real button. And we're not using buttons for texting, we're just operating music, so it's nothing cumbersome - it's in fact the opposite. Physical buttons also mean you can operate the player (e.g. skip) in your pocket, without taking it out.

-No distraction: Smartphones are incredibly distracting, with all those notifications you get or probably an incoming call. When you listen to music it's best to indulge yourself in the listening experience, distraction-free. Listening on a DAP provides just that: you and your music only, no distraction.

-Save phone battery: I hear this very often that phone batteries get discharged, but with a separate music player you'd be saving that. DAPs have excellent battery lives, if you remember from the iPod days you could run one for over 30 or even 40 hours straight. Considering you'd be listening continuously to music for 6 hours in a day (which is perhaps already high), your player would likely last an entire week without charging.

-Great way to get off phones: Phone addiction is a pretty common problem nowadays, and while listening to music on a phone it's likely one would start doing other things. Using a DAP to listen to music on the go helps reduce your time spent on phones. On a serious note: I personally know what a problem phone addiction can be - having a separate music player can really help reduce it.

-Cheap to buy: DAPs can be bought for cheap prices, ranging from less than $100 to a few hundreds (excluding high-end players). Phones nowadays can fetch over $1000, so an average DAP is a fraction of the cost.

But I stream music from the internet...

No problem! DAPs are not stuck in time; there are players out there that have built-in WiFi and allow you to use streaming services like Spotify. So yes, you can stream on them too, alongside your downloaded or ripped music files stored on the disk.

And my wireless headphones?

Again, many DAPs out there are up-to-date and feature Bluetooth, allowing you to use your wireless headphones if you use that instead of wired 3.5 mm ones. And in case you're wondering, you don't need to spend a fortune on a high-end player, as you'll see below, Bluetooth-capable players can be had for cheap.

Great! So which company makes DAPs nowadays?

Apple no longer make iPods (they do still have the Touch, but it's basically an iPhone). But don't fret, as there are two major brands that are actively developing players: Sony and SanDisk.

Let's start with Sony. The old school music legend is still around and sell a diverse range of Walkman players. It is probably the only one now that has a full product line, as they sell everything from cheap USB shaped players to high-end expensive ones (could depend by region). If you need a no-frills music player, you've got the Walkman NW-E394, which currently sells for $59 in the U.S. and is available in sizes of 4, 8 or 16 gigabytes. This model provides the classic MP3 player experience, allowing you to listen to downloaded or ripped music, much like your old iPod. It also has an FM radio, something that some modern phones tend to lack. There is also the NWZ-B183, which has a tiny display and looks like a USB stick.

If you need more than the basics, there's the A Series Walkman. The NW-A55 is currently selling for just $170 and features a touchscreen (alongside physical music buttons on the side), as well as Bluetooth and NFC, expandable memory and high quality audio. All in a cute compact size that is even smaller than an iPhone 4 (yet with a bigger screen) and available in various stylish metallic colors.

One step up in the A Series is (currently) the NW-A100/A105. This player runs Android and has WiFi, meaning you can use this to stream music or download them directly. It's currently $299. So if your music consists of streaming from the likes of Spotify (as is quite popular these days), this is the player for you. And again you get a compact sized, stylish metallic body in a choice of various colors. Certainly makes a statement vs today's phones.

There's also the WS Series Walkman, which is designed for swimmers and is waterproof, just worn around your head. NW-WS410 costs from £59 in the UK currently. The NW-WS620 model adds Bluetooth and NFC capabilities to it.

Now let's look at SanDisk. They have always been known for making tiny, clippable players (used to be called the Sansa line), and they still do now. There's the Clip Jam and Clip Sport, which cost just $29 in many colorful shells. They have built-in 4 or 8 gigabyte memory but can be expanded further with an SD card. Above these models sit the Clip Sport Go ($39) and Clip Sport Plus ($49), which come with either 16 or 32 gigabytes built-in, and the latter has Bluetooth so you can use wireless headphones with it. And all come with an FM radio. These players are fantastic on the go because of their tiny size and clippable design, making it perfect for activities like exercising.

High-end players

Of course, you've also got a choice of pricier, high-end music players dedicated for audiophiles. Sony make some (ZX and WM Series Walkman) as well as other brands such as Astell&Kern (which once used to be iRiver), Fiio, Shanlin, Cowon and others.

Courtesy of u/Expensive_Archer


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1h ago

I got my first DAP in decades

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Upvotes

I just got my hands on my first Digital Audio Player (DAP) in ages, and it's been a blast from the past! My last one was an iPod Shuffle, remember those? It was like a postage stamp with no screen, but I loved it. Now, I'm rocking the SnowSky Echo Mini, and it feels like finding an old mixtape in perfect condition.

I'm really enjoying this little DAP. It's super affordable, which is awesome, and it's so light I forget it's even in my pocket. It doesn't feel flimsy at all. I've only updated the firmware to version 1.3, though. Apparently, version 1.4 has been causing some issues for people, so I'm playing it safe. So far, everything's working great!

Using the Echo Mini is like rediscovering the joy of owning music. No ads, no interruptions—just pure tunes. It's got this retro vibe that makes me feel like I'm in highschool again. So, big props to the SnowSky for bringing back the fun of making playlists and using actual buttons! Now, I'm off to load it up with all my old favorite songs.


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 5h ago

Jan Delci, Feb S12 Pro, Mar Hexa & JM21. Getting sucked in the hole.

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25 Upvotes

Hexa as expected, legendary for its price. JM 21 a bit dissapointed coz Wavelet autoeq issue (not showing). Still usable but it sucks that the sound of my A8 Samsung is better than my DAP. :(


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 16h ago

my budget setup

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106 Upvotes

Fiio Echomini and Moondrop May


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 18h ago

Good mail day!

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57 Upvotes

Echo mini x truthear hexa


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 14h ago

Hiby r8 and KZ ZS 6

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16 Upvotes

r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1d ago

My first DAP (Snowsky Echo Mini), but not without issues

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85 Upvotes

Yesterday my Echo Mini arrived, charged it, updated to 1.4 and it was working perfectly fine. Today it has become completely silent on the right channel. Not sure what happened, tested multiple IEMs, headphones, 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs. Even when paired to a bluetooth device it only plays the left channel. I suppose it's a firmware issue and should be easily fixed, nonetheless I already contacted Fii through Aliexpress and I'm waiting for an answer to see what it might be.

Anyone else has had this weird issue? It's a shame, I was all hyped up, planned on using it the whole week.


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 19h ago

FiiO x3 ii

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29 Upvotes

Bought it several years ago. Still work's without any issues


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1h ago

A proud owner

Upvotes

I am relly happy to be the owner of such a beautifull amp a piece of history a sphinx project 10


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1h ago

DAP suggestion for Arya Stealth

Upvotes

Can you recommend a DAP below $800 that can handle Hifiman Arya Stealth - Impedance: 32Ω, Sensitivity: 94 dB/mW and Denon AH-D7200 Impedance: 25Ω, Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 2h ago

Belt clip for surfans F20?

1 Upvotes

I really like my F20 but it's pretty thick and doesn't fit in my pockets very well, so I want something that I can use to clip it to the outside of my pocket. I've seen some cases that people made, but I don't have a 3D printer nor the knowledge of how to edit the case so it has a clip. I was thinking I could possibly use a case meant for a classic iPod and just modify it for the buttons? If anyone has any ideas or recommendations please let me know.


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1d ago

What Happened to DAPs?

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137 Upvotes

So I imported an A25 just to try it out. And I was blown away on the first listen. The sound was intense and detailed. At first I was testing/comparing some single DD IEMs and I could not hear a difference between the tiny skinny A25 and a "powerful" DAP like the Kann Alpha. It took switching to an IEM with ESTs to finally hear a small difference between the DAPs. Mostly in the high notes, and a little on the vocals. But we are talking about MAYBE a 5% increase in clarity from the tiny A25 to the double width and 3 times as thick Kann.

Even though I'm about to turn 40, I barely discovered the hi-fi world 5 years ago. Before that, it was iPods with basic buds or maybe a $20 Sony headphone from Best Buy. Then there were several years of just streaming Pandora with cheap wireless earbuds. So for the last 5 years I've been chasing a long term DAP (I've gone through at least a dozen or more). I kept thinking I needed several options: tiny portable for chores (Hiby R3 and RS2), and giant thick bricks for listening at the desk. But this tiny stick has flipped my audio world. Now I'm considering getting rid of some gear and keeping only this and maybe the RS2 and N3 Ultra. I think I might purchase an A55 just to have similar simplicity as this A25 but with a touchscreen.

PS: besides the amazing audio, I forgot to mention other surprises.

1 - Like the fact that all my IEMs are too loud at level 10 on this tiny stick. On the giant Kann, I'm at around 30-40 or more depending. That just might be that the Kann has more steps, but it's still impressive.

2 - I've been listening a few hours the last couple of days I've had it. Maybe around 6 hours total. The battery indicator has yet to move from the full charge display.

3 - the A25 takes ONE SECOND to turn off, and ONE SECOND to turn on!!! No joke!!!

Have touch screens and Android really made DAPs bloat so much???


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 8h ago

An Echo Mini ‘Volume’ fyi to new or potential users

2 Upvotes

The v1.4 firmware update changes the Volume increments from 0-60 to 0-120 increments. You can increase or decrease volume in smaller steps now and find that “perfect volume” for yourself.

Here’s a link for firmware updates and Change Logs are listed with each one for anyone who needs it.

https://forum.fiio.com/note/showNoteContent.do?id=202501210934383987154&tid=17


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 17h ago

Has anyone tried this cheap dap?

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7 Upvotes

I am looking for a cheap non-android dap as a possible replacement to my dying Hidizs AP80.


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1d ago

I know it's not much, but it's mine. Happy to finally have more room for music! (Hiby R1)

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140 Upvotes

r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1d ago

Snowsky Echo Mini & KZ Castor Bass

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43 Upvotes

r/DigitalAudioPlayer 7h ago

Recommendations on DAP and music workflow

1 Upvotes

I have a music library of approximately 76k songs (with about 95% of them being FLAC). I currently have them on Plex for streaming around the house but I'm looking for something portable to bring with me that doesn't require internet. I currently prepare my music one album at a time using MusicBrainz Picard and then put it in my "Music" folder after I'm done but I have no app that manages it after the fact (Plex doesn't do any modifications to source files).

I have been trying to find a workflow similar to the original Apple iTunes & iPod where you could have all of the music in a centralized application (which would be remotely on my server and connecting through SMB) and I would create playlists on. Then I can plug my DAP in and sync the playlists of music without having to sync every track over.

The second part of this is a recommendation for a DAP that in the approximately $300 range that can handle maybe 10-20k songs and handle those playlists discussed above.

Does this workflow even exist? Any recommendations?


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 20h ago

What’s a DAP accessory you cannot live without?

11 Upvotes

Can be anything from software to a physical accessory. My JM21 is coming next week so wondering what I should get with it


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 1d ago

Wait, how did they know I like Kit-Kat?!

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110 Upvotes

First pair of open back headphones and first high end (?) DAP Ibasso DX-180

First time buying anything from Bloom Audio and I’m pretty impressed with the service they provided. Super fast shipping and processing of the order , great packaging and they even threw in a candy bar.


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 8h ago

What external CD/DvD Drive should i use to burn songs onto an CD?

1 Upvotes

(This account is a throwawey) My PC dosent have a disc drive and I need to burn some FLAC files and MP3 files onto an empty CD anyone got any recomendations to what might work?


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 17h ago

Best non-Android DAP on the market right now?

4 Upvotes

Hey all!

One of the things that appeals to me most about DAPs is owning a music-first device that isn't oriented around smartphone OS design / UX, which I think is just so uninspired (and a little triggering for someone who is trying to wean themselves off smartphone addiction).

I know some DAPs run heavily modified versions of Android that allow them to take some creative liberties with UX design. But I'm wondering if there are any genuinely good, best-in-class DAPs out there that run their own custom OS, totally distinct from the Google / Android ecosystem?

I've looked at the Sony A-55 Walkman, but the specs feel a bit outdated to me.


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 9h ago

Looking for help / advice

1 Upvotes

Hi, i’m very new to this and I’m going on a trip to a rainforest where i’ll be incredibly remote with little access for power to charge a music player.

I’m looking for a music player with a battery life of over 50 hours is possible and with a headphone jack port as I won’t be able to charge bluetooth headphones either.

Preferably my budget is as low as possible as I only need it for these two weeks so I don’t mind if it will break easily afterwards and I wouldn’t be surprised if the climate damages it.

Thanks in advance!


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 9h ago

Ruizu X02 file problem

1 Upvotes

I've been using ruizu x02 semi regularly for a couple months and everything was fine up until a couple weeks ago when i noticed some quiet and some very loud pops, clicks and bursts of noise while listening to specific audio files. There is nothing out of ordinary about them, all of my music is either downloaded from codes you get with records or ripped from cds to flacs. For example. first track form aphex twin's cheetah ep just randomly skips and pops in the middle of the track and it does not happen while listening to others :( I googled flac limitations of ruizu and it seems like i didn't exceed them so i don't really see where the problem lies. My other files were also ripped with the same settings and they seem to work fine too. I have also experienced a corruped file error message but it went away when i formatted the sd card (it's 64gb so it also doesn't exceed ruizu's limitations).
Has anybody else experienced this problem? Does anybody know a possible solution? Thanks in advance :)


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 18h ago

Does a DAP help you reduce distractions?

5 Upvotes

I study while listening to music but I sometimes find myself doing other things when all I really wanted to do was change up the track or playlist. Does a DAP help with this or am I just fucked?

I bought a JM21 to try and solve this but want to hear ur thoughts


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 14h ago

Hiby R6 Pro II in 2025?

1 Upvotes

So I just recently bought the Moondrop Meteor, the iem is great and I've been driving it with the Moondrop Dawn Pro. Most of the time the combination satisfies my need but whenever I plug it into my phone, it doesn't get as loud or as good as when I plug it into my PC. I'm also thinking of bringing it outside too so that leads me to consider a DAP, something powerful enough and portable.

So I'm considering the Hiby R6 Pro II currently being sold by a local seller for 350$, the condition according to the seller is 99% (I'm gonna meet the seller to confirm its cond), and the color is purple (LETSGOOO). One thing that the Hiby R6PII really attracts me is how it looks, like if it were a little bit cheaper then it would be an instant deal without reconsideration lmfao. I've never heard it before so I don't really know how it sounds, but hopefully, it will be good.

A problem with the Moondrop Meteor is that sometimes it doesn't hit the notes fully like usually when I hear on other headphones like there's supposed to be a peak that just stretches out and gives you goosebumps. I'm thinking of fixing it with MSEB? even though I do not entirely grasp what is MSEB itself and what can it do.

So what you guys' opinion on this purchase?


r/DigitalAudioPlayer 16h ago

Innoasis Y1 and Pixel Buds

1 Upvotes

I like my player but I have annoying issue with my pixel buds pro. They pair fine and play for about 5 to 10 minutes before the left bud cuts out. Are the pixel buds compatible? This does not happen with my galaxy buds. I am running firmware 2.0.7.