Digital Audio Players (DAPs)

[RTHerringbone]

I searched the forum but failed to find a dedicated thread about Digital Audio Players, so I thought I'd start one as I know a number of posters have one (or more) and I thought it might be useful to have a one-stop thread to help people like me who *think* they may have a use case for a DAP, but need a bit more information and / or advice before taking the plunge.

So...where are you when it comes to DAPs?

1. Do you have one? If so - feel free to tell us about it and the journey that lead you to that particular model
2. Are you interested in one?
3. Do you see absolutely no use for one in your life at all?

I'm certainly curious about them and had been considering getting one in the tail end of an earlier thread I started. Having lounged outside in glorious sunshine in the garden earlier, I felt like the only things I was missing were a nice ice-cream and some music.

This prompted some poking about online and I see FiiO have just released a first M33 R2R DAP to irritate the graph mob. But at nigh-on £650, that's a bit steep for what I just consider to be a fancy modern Walkman.

FiiO M33 R2R Review

The FiiO M33 R2R is FiiO's first portable R2R DAP, packing high-power output, gorgeous screen and new features. A true gem, reviewed on HFN!

www.headfonia.com

No decent YouTube reviews yet, they just some to be AliExpress adverts.

Plenty of alternative DAP options from other manufacturers too, so you aren't short of options when shopping around, which as we all know is both a blessing and a curse.

 

[Cricketbat70]

I have a number of DAP'S all Sony. From a 20+ year old NW-S703F atrac format player to a NW-A55L hi-res capable machine. My first DAP's were bought before smart phones were a thing and even though I use my phone I still like to use a dedicated device. Before the NW-S703F I had a NWA3000 20gb that had a "line out" setting in the menu that boosted the output of the 3.5mm earphones socket so you could connect it to a hifi. Unfortunately the hard drive failed on that.

 

[Al ears]

Many are more than modern Walkmans, they can stream and also act as a stand alone DAC.
I have owned many and currently have three.
I use one for plenty of reasons, flexibility, audio quality and more importantly storage capacity. Also use one at work where I cannot take my mobile phone....
You cannot store many hires files on the old mobile phone I have and most offer more storage than many new mobile phones.
Main user at the moment is an Astel and Kern Norma SR25.
The ability to use a huge number of wired head is a must as most modern phones do not have a proper headphone socket. Also the ability to use balanced headphones or earphones.
The photo is of my first, a Colorfly, steampunk classic in real wood. 🙂

 

[Vincent Kars]

My mobile has a slot for a 1TB SD card. No need for a DAP.

 

[Jasonovich]

I opened your post while listening to my Tempotech V6 DAP on Thameslink train 🙂
Hiby R6lll is an excellent DAP it's about £350 on Amazon.
It has an option to output the headphone amp out to class A.
There's also Cayin, they make them with tubes! and a bit pricey. I think only on AliExpress.
Also look at the Shanling🙂

Amazon.co.uk

 

[daytona600]

Like the old gen with a big display

 

[Al ears]

My mobile has a slot for a 1TB SD card. No need for a DAP.

My mobile doesn't and that's a modern Samsung Galaxy.
It's obviously going to hinge on what the OP uses and also what they want exactly when it comes to headphone use etc.

 

[jjbomber]

1. Do you have one? If so - feel free to tell us about it and the journey that lead you to that particular model
2. Are you interested in one?
3. Do you see absolutely no use for one in your life at all?

Pioneer in the car. Sometimes I take it on bus and train journeys with an external DAC and headphones.
If I was buying one today, I'd get:

ACTIVO STARTER BUNDLE PACK

The perfect upgrade from a standard MP3 player. Get the ACTIVO P1 Hi-Res audio player, Volcano earphones, and case in this complete bundle. Save over £200.

activostyle.co.uk

 

[Cricketbat70]

Pioneer in the car. Sometimes I take it on bus and train journeys with an external DAC and headphones.
If I was buying one today, I'd get:

ACTIVO STARTER BUNDLE PACK

The perfect upgrade from a standard MP3 player. Get the ACTIVO P1 Hi-Res audio player, Volcano earphones, and case in this complete bundle. Save over £200.

activostyle.co.uk

Ooh that looks nice

 

[Jasonovich]

Ooh that looks nice

I believe Activo is owned by Astel and Kern, you can expect the quality to be good.

 

[Dave_]

Can't think of anything more pointless in 2026.

I can access all the streaming services I want and everything on my NAS from my phone, and its always with me.

So why would I want the inconvenience of carrying an extra device around!