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Author Topic: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?  (Read 43463 times)

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Judeus

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Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« on: July 03, 2014, 10:26:01 AM »
I am in the market for a DAP for my shure se846 and I'm not really sure what to go for, the main 4 I've been looking at: (no A&K, seems overpriced)

Fiio X5
DX90
HM-901 w/ iem card
HM-802 w/ iem card


Help?
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tidak_ceta

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2014, 11:25:40 AM »
AK120 is the most appreciated here.
Special Mention by Anax: Nokia N8 (Airplane Mode) -> USB OTG -> Leckerton UHA-6S.
Stay away from ibasso/Fiio, lot of people give thumb down to AK100 and even the AK240.

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Judeus

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2014, 12:04:26 PM »
Okay and what about the hifiman? The ak120 is even more then the 901
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burnspbesq

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2014, 03:16:18 PM »
My advice? Chill.  People who have heard the prototypes of the Geek Wave and the PONO player have reported highly favorable impressions of both.  I expect at least one, if not both, to be available in Q4 (if either product misses the holiday season, the marketing people will have the product development people drawn and quartered).

If you can't wait, get a used iPod Touch as an interim solution.
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Eric_C

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2014, 03:41:04 PM »
I'm waiting for a Geek Wave (I really hope it does make it for Q4 this year); meanwhile I've traded in carrying around a DAP & amp for a simple Clip+. My JH13 sound just fine out of the little player.
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thegunner100

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2014, 04:21:06 PM »
If you can tolerate a bit of sabre glare on the dx90, then go for it imo. It does things pretty well for its price, and the UI is very easy to use.
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Judeus

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2014, 04:55:43 PM »
Quote from: Eric_C on July 03, 2014, 03:41:04 PM
I'm waiting for a Geek Wave (I really hope it does make it for Q4 this year); meanwhile I've traded in carrying around a DAP & amp for a simple Clip+. My JH13 sound just fine out of the little player.


They dont look anything special TBH, the geek wave XD is $899 and has almost identical specs to the dx90

the pono is a toblerone (who the fuck thought that would be a good idea) and uses a single Wolfson 87XX

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anetode

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2014, 05:15:38 PM »
To go against the grain here, try the fiio X3. I haven't heard its noise floor with the IEMs I've used so far and there's enough power for fullsized cans as well. Plus you don't get the same possibility of buyers' remorse as with a 500+$ DAP.

If you really must scratch that audiophile supremacy itch there's also the Geek Wave + IEM package.
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gelocks

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2014, 05:41:10 PM »
I personally use the AK100 MK2 and had an X3 (and was also part of the X5 tour).
I feel that the AK100 MK2 does most things well. It has some quirks and stupid bugs but which player doesn't?
The X3 is indeed powerful and provides good sound output. I really like the X5 but its Library Management sucks and tops out at 5600 or so music files. (and yes, I have more files than that and I live by the 'Shuffle All songs in the library' mode which can't be done on the FiiO unless you have less than 5600 files :)).

So if you are more of a "browser mode" type of guy/gal, then I'd choose the X5 just based on price, sound quality and support.
(forget about firmware upgrades for AK MK100/120 etc...)

Good luck.
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Anaxilus

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Re: Best DAP in terms of audio quality?
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2014, 05:45:08 PM »
Quote from: anetode on July 03, 2014, 05:15:38 PM
To go against the grain here, try the fiio X3. I haven't heard its noise floor with the IEMs I've used so far and there's enough power for fullsized cans as well. Plus you don't get the same possibility of buyers' remorse as with a 500+$ DAP.

If you really must scratch that audiophile supremacy itch there's also the Geek Wave + IEM package.

The X3 I heard is pretty much on par with the Clip+.  I wouldn't have bothered based on SQ except it seems like you wanted more drive for headphones.

For now I still use the UHA6Smk2 as an amp but prefer my Venue 8 Pro running JRiver>GeekOut>UHA6S based purely on SQ.  Since I got my tablet, the Nokia N8 has been retired.  The GeekOut also replaced the ODAC btw which is also superior to the X3/X5/901/AK240/Clip+.  I haven't heard the 901 IEM card btw.  I know his amp modules can sound quite different.  His basic amps tend to sound like garbage historically speaking.

I'll be getting a Wave fyi.
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