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Author Topic: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?  (Read 43470 times)

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Sorrodje

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #60 on: January 26, 2015, 09:40:14 PM »
HM601.  had it.. No more than 24 hours before I put it for Sale . I hated the warmish muddy sound, the 10 Ohms Headphone output, the out of date user experience the plasticky enclosure.  I hated all.  walk the plank2
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Za Warudo

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #61 on: January 26, 2015, 11:13:13 PM »
Warm? Yes, but that's a matter of preference just like with headphones and amps.  It's definitely not muddy though, unless maybe if you used some multi-BA iem with it, but you can use an external amp for those.  The UI is just fine once Rockbox'd.  And at $70 I can live with the plasticky build and limitations with BA iems.
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audiofrk

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #62 on: January 27, 2015, 05:48:10 AM »
Quote from: marvey on January 26, 2015, 04:37:46 PM
I wasn't impressed with the HM901. Supposedly with balanced module, it's better. If I used IEMs a lot and cared a lot about SQ, I'd try to find a used AK120mki (Wolfson). The AK120mk2/AK240 were a step back in sound quality with the Cirrus D-A chips. The AK120mki recommendation for an all-in-one solution.


The DAC section on the Leckerton sucks compared to GO, but the Leckerton has better amp section. I'd pair them up (GO as DAC + Leckerton as amp). If you don't bind rubber-banding or velcroing those two together - that would be the way to go for great SQ at a really good price.

let be clear the  hm901 is great for a dap best I heard (only heard the ak120 mkI once so maybe I needed more time with it) but as for sound you'd don't get much more than the GO + leckerton combo.

@marvey What IEMs did you use with the hm901?

I wouldn't recommend trying GO stack for a mobile set up.  the 450 gets hot and from what I hear the leckerton don't like cell phone signal (though I heard that a while back so anyone feel free to correct me) but if this is a laptop set up GO for it. :) 

 But the 450 still pulls juice like no other so should only be used with a large phone battery (if you dont mind paying a little more try the herus since it doesn't pull as much juice so it'd herus+ leckerton). honestly right now my best advise is to wait a bit, lot of new players coming out and guess what they all think the SABRE is the best chip in the world too!!! so you will get more selection (oh and a dacless leckerton is suppose to be coming) I'll list them if anyone ask.


....but if you can find a ak120 for less than $500 (better if Red wine mod <any mod for uerm listening>) go for that, but just to let you know people dont discount them that much despite the fact that now they have been in circulation for nearly 2 years.   
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audiofrk

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #63 on: January 27, 2015, 05:51:18 AM »
Quote from: Za Warudo on January 26, 2015, 11:13:13 PM
Warm? Yes, but that's a matter of preference just like with headphones and amps.  It's definitely not muddy though, unless maybe if you used some multi-BA iem with it, but you can use an external amp for those.  The UI is just fine once Rockbox'd.  And at $70 I can live with the plasticky build and limitations with BA iems.

got to agree with sorrodje had an hm601 and though you could amp it, the stack was impossible to use out and about. The ui was ok utilitarian nuff said.
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SomeSpace

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #64 on: January 27, 2015, 08:40:57 AM »
For an all in one DAP experience I would go with AK240. For the best sounding DAP I would say an AK120 that has been moddwd by Red Wine or Pwaudio to have a pure line out and two WM8741s, then use a great amp such as Vorzuge Pure. I just got the Lotoo Paw Gold in but my listening time is to early so far.
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Rotijon

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #65 on: January 27, 2015, 04:09:37 PM »
Hmm id honestly jump for the leck and GO combo, but im looking for a stack with my phone. If only the dac in the leck was better.

what about the UHA 760? People seem to hate that one for some reason.
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burnspbesq

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #66 on: January 27, 2015, 04:50:48 PM »
Don't spend any money on a standalone player until you have a chance to audition the Ayre player (aka Pono).

If you're looking for a DAC/amp to use with an iOS device, I've heard most of the contenders, and the one I still own is the Resonessence Herus.
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Marvey

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #67 on: January 27, 2015, 05:14:57 PM »
Quote from: audiofrk on January 27, 2015, 05:48:10 AM
let be clear the  hm901 is great for a dap best I heard (only heard the ak120 mkI once so maybe I needed more time with it) but as for sound you'd don't get much more than the GO + leckerton combo.

@marvey What IEMs did you use with the hm901?

Don't remember, but it was two IEMs HFM brought along with them and my UERM. Thought the HM901 sounded veiled, soft, fuzzy, low-fi'ish. Think AM radio. Obviously not as bad as AM radio, but most people should get the idea. This was with the standard amp card. Just not my kind of sound. The UI was horribad too. Just an overall experience I would rather not remember.
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RexAeterna

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #68 on: January 27, 2015, 05:15:17 PM »
Everyone knows that an obama safe link phone is best digital player ever. Makes all other daps overpriced pocket metal.
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aufmerksam

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #69 on: January 27, 2015, 07:30:35 PM »
Quote from: RexAeterna on January 27, 2015, 05:15:17 PM
Everyone knows that an obama safe link phone is best digital player ever. Makes all other daps overpriced pocket metal.

Just further evidence of how Obama is in TracFone's pocket...

Has anyone (here) actually listened to / compared the Sony A17 to Pono, et al.? I sifted through the HF thread for a bit, but quickly got a headache. I also read what Stephen Rochlin has to say, but that made HF feel like reasonable, straightforward dialog...

I know MF enjoyed the ZX1, and the F887 was supposed to be similar SQ with fewer options. I know Sony generally asserts the same about A17, but the proof is in the pudding.

If the the A17 SQ were up to snuff, it would be a desirable option. A17 has generally favorable response from what I have read, and ticks a lot of non-SQ boxes: microSD expandable, decent UI, small, line out and digital out options, less than a thousand dollars, etc.
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