Digital Audio Players (DAPs)

[woodbar]

I don't like the twiddly bit. Looks like a silly design to me.

Twiddly bit?

 

[Al ears]

Twiddly bit?

Methinks 'volume control'.....

 

[Rodolfo]

I've used DAPs for years, and currently I use these 3, from L to R: a HiBy R3 Pro Saber, a HIBYDIGITAL M300, and a Fiio M21. Though I mostly use the three at home, the first two fit in the watch or coin pocket of my jeans, and the latter two are android devices. I like them all and don't expect to need another one, although I do enjoy and appreciate -and learn from- lots of amazon trialing. I trialed and returned the HiBy R4 and JadeAudio JM21, for instance, around the same time as the M21.

 

[RTHerringbone]

Having ruled this DAP out on a price-basis, reviews like this are somewhat persuasive:

FIIO M33 R2R Review: A More Musical Take on the Modern Android DAP | Porta-Fi

FIIO M33 R2R review: a feature-rich Android DAP with organic R2R sound and real desktop versatility.

porta-fi.com

 

[Al ears]

Having ruled this DAP out on a price-basis, reviews like this are somewhat persuasive:

FIIO M33 R2R Review: A More Musical Take on the Modern Android DAP | Porta-Fi

FIIO M33 R2R review: a feature-rich Android DAP with organic R2R sound and real desktop versatility.

porta-fi.com

But it's a lot cheaper than the Hiby RS8 II .........
😎

 

[Jasonovich]

But it's a lot cheaper than the Hiby RS8 II .........
😎

Shanling M5 Ultra also a good option under £500.

Amazon.co.uk

Even cheaper Hiby R6III

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Al ears]

Shanling M5 Ultra also a good option under £500.

Amazon.co.uk

Even cheaper Hiby R6III

Amazon.co.uk

The Shanling isnt R2R, and neither is the Hiby R6

 

[Jasonovich]

The Shanling isnt R2R, and neither is the Hiby R6

I know but does it have to be?

 

[Rodolfo]

I know but does it have to be?

Not for me.

I trialed and experimented with the Fiio K11 R2R for the full 30 days to sample/hear the "warmth" that R2R is designed and engineered to produce, to enhance, etc., trying all the inputs and outputs, connecting it to my stereo, DAPs - including the Fiio M21 which I did keep, and headphones, including other new equipment I was also trialing over the holidays and beyond.

I learned that my systems, my equipment are sufficiently, satisfyingly "warm", etc., actually, understandably because that is how I have shopped and equipped my setups purposefully for ages, including many of my recordings in their various forms.

I find -again- that what I have is joyful and sufficient, and returned the very nice K11 simply and logically because it did not add sufficient listening value. It was an instructive and pleasant learning experience and I'll continue to trial what Fiio and other impressive engineering does with my ways and means, and for/to my favorite MUSIC.

Perhaps for others' sources and tastes...