woodbar
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Al ears
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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.
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Having ruled this DAP out on a price-basis, reviews like this are somewhat persuasive:
porta-fi.com
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
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But it's a lot cheaper than the Hiby RS8 II .........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.
😎
Jasonovich
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Shanling M5 Ultra also a good option under £500.
Even cheaper Hiby R6III
Al ears
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Jasonovich
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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...
Al ears
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Well the Fiio mentioned by the OP in the first post was and so it goes on from there really, so yes.
Jasonovich
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No worries, thanks for clarifying 🙂
I was looking at other R2R DAPs and came across iBasso DX270....... and Holy Mother of God, forgive me it's Easter, £1,274...... What da.....Mary Poppins!
Al ears
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Jasonovich
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Al ears
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Yes, I have a cheap A&K but would certainly not entertain paying £1500 to £3200 for the privilege of owning a R2R device which is why the M33 at £650 looks to be a bargain...... Assuming you simply must have a R2R DAC
Revolutions
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I have a bit of an annoying requirement with a DAC thanks to @Jasonovich the enabler - he persuaded me to get stuck into DSD files. Whilst a lot of legacy DACs will hit DSD64 for SACD playback, earlier models can't upscale any of the 256 or 512 music I purchased.
#firstworldproblems 😂
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I only shared the M33 in the OP because it was the newest DAP review I could find and it was just to get the thread up and running. I do like the R2R sound but I'm not prepared to pay extra to get a DAP with that architecture when it's going to be a fairly infrequently used device.
I'm pretty sure that the DAP I buy will be a fairly modest one and the FiiO M21 consistently stands out as the one that fits the price I'm prepared to pay and has the power, platform and storage options I want.
The headphones are less clear-cut, but I'll figure that out.
I'm pretty sure that the DAP I buy will be a fairly modest one and the FiiO M21 consistently stands out as the one that fits the price I'm prepared to pay and has the power, platform and storage options I want.
The headphones are less clear-cut, but I'll figure that out.
Jasonovich
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I know, I'm terrible! 🤣
DSD smooth as silk, the treasure is the detail and naturalness, sort of thing people associate with vinyl. Once you've tasted Hi-Res DSD nectar, there's no going back. True 1 bit R2R is absolutely perfect for DSD. Most mid ranged DAPs priced today, can at least hit the 256.
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