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

MisterRogers · « **Reply #80 on:** January 29, 2015, 03:08:32 PM »

I have a Wave ordered too. I grabbed the Plenue as I have low confidence they'll a) get it done anywhere close to on time, b) Get the UI right, c) quite pummeling me with 'new' and 'must have' features. The wave is my first crowd fund, and I've come to hate it. Flame off. If the Wave drops and it's great.... great.

Thad E Ginathom · « **Reply #81 on:** January 29, 2015, 07:21:06 PM »

Quote from: HideousPride on January 28, 2015, 10:18:02 PM

My first DAP ever was a Cowon J3 which I really enjoyed ...

Actually, my first post-minidisc digital player was the Cowon A2, and it has still been in use until very recently. After more than ten years, its battery still works, even though it is only dusted down, these days, for trains and planes once or twice a year.

I look at stuff like A&K and just gawk at the prices, but actually, back in 2002 or 2003, the Cowon was expensive enough to shock.

Rotijon · « **Reply #82 on:** February 01, 2015, 02:39:55 PM »

The C5D is surprisingly acceptable, having said that, i have not heard the GO450 or leck.

burnspbesq · « **Reply #83 on:** February 01, 2015, 10:59:32 PM »

If you haven't heard the Ayre (aka Pono) Player in balanced mode, you haven't heard everything it can do.

Anaxilus · « **Reply #84 on:** February 01, 2015, 11:55:36 PM »

Cow on always struck me like iBasso. Decent but nothing special. Parsing Gutty's Plenue impressions don't encourage me tbh.

aufmerksam · « **Reply #85 on:** February 05, 2015, 10:04:10 PM »

I got the A17 the other day, and so far this thing is quite impressive. The greatness of the UI cannot be overstated. Actually, same goes for battery life and storage capacity. I need to do some focused comparisons, but so far the sound is quite competent. I need to fully get plugged into what the UERM is capable of on numerous rigs before I can pass judgment on the A17 as a standalone DAP.

On the question of "best audio quality" I go back and forth between the value of a standalone DAP like AK variety, which arguably do not require external amp, and something like the sony, which will cleanly feed a portable amp of choice, allowing greater flexibility in terms of headphone pairing. Does that make sense? For example, if I know how well the Leckerton will drive UERM, and simply need a portable source for the Leckerton, I am not going to cough up ~$1000 for an AK. I know the arguments go both ways, especially if you are only listening to one set of headphones when portable, just saying it bears contemplation.

...

I can't resist professing my love for my first, and long lost, DAP: the Rio Karma. That thing was amazing. In addition to having a billion user options (including accommodation for a lefty like me), it came with a docking station WITH AN ETHERNET JACK. Sigh. Some cousin has it somewhere, if I ever get it back, I am replacing the battery and modding in a flash drive.

gelocks · « **Reply #86 on:** February 06, 2015, 03:15:20 AM »

I've been surprised with the A17!!
So light and REALLY portable, good sounding, EXCELLENT UI, GREAT battery life.
Does it sound "better" than my ZX1, AK 100MK2 or even the FiiO X5? Ermm no, not really, it's a bit "soft" up-top, it sounds as if the top end is a bit boosted, etc. but does it kill in mostly all other categories already mentioned? I would say yes and I will be selling my other DAPs. It's that good (for me!!)

zerodeefex · « **Reply #87 on:** February 06, 2015, 03:22:26 AM »

It sounds meh. I like it due to form factor/usability, but I'm going to strap one of the new leckerton amps on there when they hit. I am using it with the MK2 right now and it's just ever slightly bigger than what I consider acceptable. I've tried it with the E11k and I'm willing to go a little bigger to get closer to A17/leck sound.

aufmerksam · « **Reply #88 on:** February 06, 2015, 02:32:19 PM »

Was the e11k any good at all for improving a17 sound?

zerodeefex · « **Reply #89 on:** February 06, 2015, 04:56:42 PM »

It is a slight improvement, but not really worthwhile.

Amp only leck or bust.

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

MisterRogers

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

Thad E Ginathom

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

Rotijon

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

burnspbesq

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

Anaxilus

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

aufmerksam

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

gelocks

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

zerodeefex

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

aufmerksam

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

zerodeefex

Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?

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