DAP discussion thread

Discussion in 'IEMs and Portable Gear' started by zerodeefex, Oct 8, 2015.

  1. likearake

    likearake Acquaintance

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    The Cayin N6ii DAP has an R2R switchable motherboard option thing (the R01 I think). Android based but not sure which version... could be quite old by now.
     
  2. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    It predates the RU-6. I was curious if they might be working on something new given the popularity of the RU-6. I bet they are. ;)
     
  3. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    I have a Sony WM1AM2 with me (they seriously need to get better naming convention)

    Will post first impressions soon. Thankfully it sounds much better than the ZX507 which was a little underwhelming, but with the Hiby RS6 it might get a little heated.
     
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  4. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    First impressions dump on the new Sony WM1AM2:

    It's good - it's a refined ZX2 and much improved ZX507 essentially. Gone is the slight rough edge/treble dirt from the older s-master chip DAPs - it's a very pleasing, clear and delicate sound with a dollop of warmth and smoothness, but not overwhelming. The mids have a very pleasing quality to them, organic and euphoric but also detailed and happy to either step back or jump forward depending on the track. The Hiby RS6 has forever forward mids which get a bit much.
    Anyone who enjoyed the old ZX2 should love this one, it's just much better I think across the board.

    It sounds great with Andromeda/IERM7, very good synergy - just makes them come alive somehow more so than a lot of my other sources - the mids essentially gain focus and glow, not in a forward way but in a detailed attention grabbing pleasant organic way.. difficult to describe.. there's probably some DSP happening here, but if it sounds great who cares.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2022
  5. Cellist88

    Cellist88 Friend

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    Does the USB dac part still have lag? I hope they would fix it after so many years
     
  6. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    Oh yes there's lag, like 99% of DAPs out there. I doubt this will ever get improved, it's my pet peeve with DAPs
     
  7. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    These two bullets from the specs seem, errrrm, interesting?
    • Vinyl Processor: Add the warmth of vinyl into digital files by reproducing low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resistance, and surface noise
    • DC Phase Linearizer: Six phase character settings replicate the sonic signatures of various types of analog amplifiers for a purer, analog-like sound
    Either way, I'd love to get a chance to audition this, as my old NW-ZX2 is a brick and I really miss it. sniffle.
     
  8. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    They have these things in all their players now. They're very subtle but do make some difference.

    I used to ❤️ my ZX2, it was and still is the ultimate companion for Andromedas. Yes the WM1AM2 is a big improvement but it's also a massive brick now. I like the small but dense feel of the older gen
     
  9. yotacowboy

    yotacowboy McRibs Kind of Guy

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    Haha I meant ZX2 is a brick as in, unsupported ancient Android OS, and the battery won't barely hold a charge anymore. Anyhow, looking forward to more impressions of the new AM2.
     
  10. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Still not bit-perfect audio if using other music apps (UAPP) and not the Sony app? It is 2022 and the other Sony DAPs not supporting bit-perfect when using third-party apps is a shocker.
     
  11. limesoft

    limesoft Friend

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    It's bitperfect with UAPP apparently, but not other third party apps. This is good enough for me as UAPP has Qobuz integration. Apple music is not bitperfect on the other hand and it does feel like there is some degradation as it goes through Android os mixer, 192khz or not..
     
  12. limesoft

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    After almost 200 hours burn, I'm preferring the sound of the ifi Gryphon - the WM1AM2 seems to be little too bright and has a little grain in the treble still. The Gryphon sounds more organic, warmer with mids being more lifelike and musical - it also has a more safe tuning allowing me to listen for much longer without fatigue.. at times it may lean towards a bit boring, but I think I prefer that to excitement and fatigue. Don't get me wrong the WM1AM2 is much improved over the ZX2/ZX507, but for the amount it costs I wanted to be blown away by lifelike smooth, organic and grain free sound - which the Gryphon seems to give more of.

    So, unless you really need a DAP or have an Andromeda, ifi Gryphon + LDAC phone is the safer option, especially if you prefer smooth, organic and grain free presentation (but not warmpoo)
     
  13. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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    Anyone have any suggestions for a dap comparable to the sanza clip plus rock boxed? I'm looking for a dap for when I exercise.
     
  14. Ksaurav402

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    I would rather get Apple Watch and air pods pro. If you workout at gym then Apple Watch can connect to Wi-Fi. If you workout outdoors then you can sync some songs to carry it in watch or if it’s cellular version then you can stream as well.
     
  15. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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    Ok, anyone else got any other DAP's similar to the Sanza Clip plus? I just like to clip the player to my waistline and use my Noble C4.

    Doesn't seem that many players can be rockboxed.
     
  16. Ksaurav402

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  17. hawaiiancerveza

    hawaiiancerveza Friend

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  18. Questhate

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    Hello SBAF brain trust,

    I’ve been out of the game for a while and would love a recommendation on a DAP that can do Spotify (so Android-based?) and charges over USB-C (micro is fine too I suppose, just nothing proprietary).

    I picked up a couple new IEMs over with the BF deals (Audeze Euclid and Moondrop Variations), and finding my phone + lightning adapter doesn’t have enough headroom. I dusted off my old Chord Mojo which works fine but would love to untether it from my phone.

    I don’t need the absolute best sound quality, since I’m mostly using Spotify for convenience. Something decent, easy and snappy enough to run Spotify smoothly. Bonus points if it can do DSD files since i can still load up my old library. Also bonus points if it’s compact (my old ZX2 was so unwieldy).

    I was looking at the Sony A105 since that seems like it could work. Seems to be a lot of Chinese options too but hard to wade through. Anything decent I should look at?

    Edit: the Shanling M6 Ultra mentioned a couple pages back seems like it could be the one. I’m wary of Chinese brands that I just heard of today haha. Anyone have that?
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2022
  19. EagleWings

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    I’d skip the Sony A105. I have the Shanling M6 original and if the Ultra is along the same lines as Og, then it should fit your bill. I honestly haven’t kept up with the DAP releases from the Chinese brands and the model names are getting quite confusing these days. Shanling, Fiio, Hiby and iBasso are the brands I’d look into to see if there are any that appeal to you more.
     
  20. Tchoupitoulas

    Tchoupitoulas Friend

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