Digital Audio Players (DAPs)

[PieterG]

I wear hearing aids so it's over-ear or nothing for me. And I'm fine with that because my recent headphone purchases have been a revelation.

That's unfortunate. Glad you can enjoy music in good quality nonetheless.

Good to hear your portable solution is still going strong after a number of years. My only reservation about getting the FT1 headphones are quite a few reports questioning their durability. More research required.

I had not heard that about the FT1.
What are your thoughts on the FT7 in that regard? And in general? I'd like to get those some time soon.

 

[RTHerringbone]

I had not heard that about the FT1.
What are your thoughts on the FT7 in that regard? And in general? I'd like to get those some time soon.

Don't tell @Jasonovich but I think I marginally prefer the FT7 to the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth.

The build quality is significantly better, comfort is too. I have them connected to my main system downstairs so can't reasonably compare sound signatures, but build quality and comfort are obviously big considerations with headphones. The HIFIMAN sound excellent through my office setup and their comfort is fine (I use them for 3+ hours a day) but just not as nice as the FiiO.

 

[Al ears]

My DAP is from several years ago: a Fiio M9 paired with F9pro IEMs on a 2.5mm balanced output. It opened my eyes (and ears) to high quality digital music and i still find that it's my best allround setup. It's the benchmark to which i compare all other hifi gear i try.

It has one major drawback: the OS is limited to some Fiio customized version of Android 7 and it doesn't have the support required for newer authentication mechanisms used by streaming services. As a result, i can't directly access Tidal with it. But it still holds 500GB of flac files i can carry with me everywhere, and the battery still lasts long enough after 8 years of use.

I'm sure that any Fiio DAP will let you enjoy your music for years. I was wondering if you really need full size headphones or if you might consider IEMs instead. I think they're not just convenient but also isolate better than regular closed headphones (without active noise cancelling).

Exactly what I was going to suggest. I use IEMs mostly for travel etc.
However, I understand some cannot get on with them

 

[Jasonovich]

My DAP is from several years ago: a Fiio M9 paired with F9pro IEMs on a 2.5mm balanced output. It opened my eyes (and ears) to high quality digital music and i still find that it's my best allround setup. It's the benchmark to which i compare all other hifi gear i try.

It has one major drawback: the OS is limited to some Fiio customized version of Android 7 and it doesn't have the support required for newer authentication mechanisms used by streaming services. As a result, i can't directly access Tidal with it. But it still holds 500GB of flac files i can carry with me everywhere, and the battery still lasts long enough after 8 years of use.

I'm sure that any Fiio DAP will let you enjoy your music for years. I was wondering if you really need full size headphones or if you might consider IEMs instead. I think they're not just convenient but also isolate better than regular closed headphones (without active noise cancelling).

Regular headphones like the FiiO FT1 are perfect for keeping your ears warm 🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

Don't tell @Jasonovich but I think I marginally prefer the FT7 to the HIFIMAN HE1000 Stealth.

The build quality is significantly better, comfort is too. I have them connected to my main system downstairs so can't reasonably compare sound signatures, but build quality and comfort are obviously big considerations with headphones. The HIFIMAN sound excellent through my office setup and their comfort is fine (I use them for 3+ hours a day) but just not as nice as the FiiO.

😂
Feed them with the Gustard H26 headamp and you'll be blown over, I'm sure the Ft7 will sound amazing also 🙂

 

[Jasonovich]

That's unfortunate. Glad you can enjoy music in good quality nonetheless.

I had not heard that about the FT1.
What are your thoughts on the FT7 in that regard? And in general? I'd like to get those some time soon.

FiiO FT1 is great dynamic headphones (middle), love mine for commuting. Sound and built quality is too notch.

 

[RTHerringbone]

How long have you had your FT1s @Jasonovich and have you had no issues with durability?

I'd seen several reports of cracked plastic sleeves where you adjust the position of the cups (looks like it's the inside of the black plastic bit with the brand name plastered on it in your photo). Also some suggestions that the trim around the wooden earcups degrades as well (all reports suggest that happens within 3-6 months!)

EDIT: I reckon that most cases with the degraded plastic adjuster sleeve are people with big 'eads! There does seem to be a pattern along those reported online, and I have a pea-sized head so potentially wouldn't see that issue.

 

[RTHerringbone]

A couple more reviews of FiiO's M33 R2R DAP have emerged on t'interwebnet. Both seem favourable but it's still more than I personally feel prepared to spend on a DAP:

View: https://youtu.be/4wB-2swXZrU?si=baMDWseQ2k8ESi73

View: https://youtu.be/0-An5NsrMmI?si=ltK3-BZglkJL3-fE

 

[Al ears]

A couple more reviews of FiiO's M33 R2R DAP have emerged on t'interwebnet. Both seem favourable but it's still more than I personally feel prepared to spend on a DAP:

View: https://youtu.be/4wB-2swXZrU?si=baMDWseQ2k8ESi73

View: https://youtu.be/0-An5NsrMmI?si=ltK3-BZglkJL3-fE

Yes, it sounds good but you are correct £650 is a tad more than I would spend on a new DAP.

 

[Jasonovich]

A couple more reviews of FiiO's M33 R2R DAP have emerged on t'interwebnet. Both seem favourable but it's still more than I personally feel prepared to spend on a DAP:

View: https://youtu.be/4wB-2swXZrU?si=baMDWseQ2k8ESi73

View: https://youtu.be/0-An5NsrMmI?si=ltK3-BZglkJL3-fE

FiiO DAPs are a little over priced. Aosida on the eBay portal is selling Aune DAP, FPGA hardware, DSD512, no frilly graphics, looks like a serious piece of kit for £305 (without Bluetooth) - see link, also you'll find on ebay, Shanling and Hiby DAPs, also selling at competitive pricing.

Aune is obviously mimicing Sony, kind of understated but nice. Hiby modelled it on cassette player with push down buttons, pretty cool...Shanling a little like A&K, nice also.

Caylin DAPs have tubes! Not sure you want to go there! 🙂

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285156282887?var=587028113667&_ul=GB&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338990947&toolid=10001&customid=eb:g:vms:eb😛:285156282887-587028113667;{GCLID}&adtype=pla&loc_interest_ms=&loc_physical_ms=1006517&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4a3OBhCHARIsAChaqJPPHVVVLbtZl2MVNvDUnzYOmpFBB4uvVgJEEdykbe3RrtQtzdJ7BdIaAjV6EALw_wcB

Pardon our interruption...

Pardon our interruption...

PS. Muzix is selling ONIX TOCATA XM2 - Portable audio player Bluetooth 5 aptX HD 32bit 768kHz DSD512. Also nice package deal with SIVGA closed headphones for 478 euros, about £430

ONIX TOCATA XM2 - Tragbarer Audio-Player Bluetooth 5 aptX HD

Der ONIX XM2 TOCATA ist der neueste tragbare Musikplayer von Onix, der einen warmen, aber dennoch detaillierten Klang bietet, der seinen britischen Wurzeln treu

www.muzix.eu

 

[woodbar]

I was late to the party with DAPs and have had 2 of them over the last couple of years which I am very pleased with and amazed at how well they properly drive my different headphones.

First was the Fiio M11ESS which served me for a couple of years until upgraditis kicked in and I decided to bite the bullet and go for the Fiio M15S plus the DK1 Pro Dock, which is a very neat charging stand that has 2 extra USB ports plus a control to switch charging mode on/off, very neat and I preferred it to the included charging stand with cooling fan that is supplied with the M15S as the unit only runs warm-ish when you use the convert everything to DSD function - which I never use.

As always, both units were/are of excellent build quality and performance but the M15S proved to be a huge upgrade supporting Roon, 2.5mm balanced, 3.5mm SE and 4.4mm balanced outputs, 1.2Watts, femtosecond crystal oscillators, digital output, two way Bluetooth capable of LDAC + Aptx HD etc. etc. It also deviated from their normal angular case design with a very pleasing smooth curved edge design and had a proper rotary volume control. Of course it sounds superb and not nearly as "digital" as most of their range!

Trouble is due to various factors I now listen almost exclusively to music in my "man cave" using the Eversolo DMP-A6, Fiio K13 R2R and Topping L70 amp and it seems a waste to have the M15S sitting in its box and with very little to zero use! You never know - one day 😊

Thinking about it, if anyone is interested then PM me - it would probably appreciate a good home!

 

[Gray]

Thinking about it, if anyone is interested then PM me - it would probably appreciate a good home!

That's the sort of thing PM was good for - but the facility was discontinued for members - something to do with risk of breaching online safety act regulations.
There were complaints and justifications at the time....bottom line - no PM facility.
(Shame, as I've got stuff people might want too 😐).

 

[woodbar]

That's the sort of thing PM was good for - but the facility was discontinued for members - something to do with risk of breaching online safety act regulations.
There were complaints and justifications at the time....bottom line - no PM facility.
(Shame, as I've got stuff people might want too 😐).

Oh, that's a shame - I was not aware.

Why is there an option to "Send direct message" if you hover over someones icon then?

I must say, over the years, I have used it for Coffee Machines and equipment, amplifiers, speakers, sub woofers and a DAP etc. with normally good results as, apart from the odd time wasters on the usual sites, you tended to get a result from really interested parties.