DAP discussion thread

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

  1. Royalty

    Royalty New

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    Lol true. Downtown was a crazy, just insane. Sooooo many people, I wa slucky and was at a friends condo across from Jurassic Park.
     
  2. obsiCO

    obsiCO Thai Fish Experiment Gone Wrong

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    Might I ask what IEM/headphone you're planning to pair with the DAP? Hiby R6 might not be a good choice for BA IEMs because of its ridiculous 10 ohms impedance. The new Hiby R6 Pro seems to bring it down to near zero ohms but it also hisses like mad from all the reviews I've read and is more pricey.

    I'd recommend ZX300 if you're on a fence, used or even at full price. It's a versatile little DAP. A used ZX2 is also a good choice, plus (or minus) it runs Android.
     
  3. Royalty

    Royalty New

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    Hey thanks, I have 4 headphones, unsure what I'll be usin he most, one of the IEMs Im sure for travel. I have BGVP DM7s, Oxygens, Senn 660s and Beyer 1990DTs.

    I almost leaning towards the Sony's, hearing people with good reviews and I'll have a look at the one you mentioned.
     
  4. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    ZX2 has a richer sound and better battery life than ZX300, but has less power.
     
  5. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    One negative of the ZX2 is while it's an Android DAP, it's running on an older version of Android (Jelly Bean/4.0). You aren't able to use the current version of Spofity, Tidal, or Qobuz. Hell, I'm running on an older version of Tidal from 2018 (the last version of the app that's supported on the ZX2). It works about 75% of the time. I'm right next to my Wi-Fi router and even the ZX2 has problem streaming Tidal. Also, it runs really slow and glitch up at times.

    Battery Life is great if you shut off the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and all that background processing. However, I would only use the ZX2 for internal storage. A 512 GB MircoSD card works fine on it. We all agree that ZX2 doesn't provide enough amp for over-ear headphones, but it's great for IEMs. Get a WM1A if you need to drive lower impedance cans via its Balanced output. So in certain ways it isn't the most flexible DAP in the market anymore (back in 2015 it was), but it still gets the job done.

    Kind of wish Sony can just make a good Android Walkman DAP that sounds similar as a ZX2 plus the benefit of streaming. I don't think it will happen at this point since Sony moved away from Android (which was a wise move if you think about it).
     
  6. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    That's a good point. I usually use mine with internal storage but it's convenient to be able to stream content from my NAS over Wi-Fi using a 3rd party player. Have to remember to turn it off* after though. If I want to do the same with my ZX300 I run USB OTG from my phone. The EX1000 is one IEM that the ZX2 just can't drive properly, and Andro just doesn't sound as good out of ZX300. It's kinda ridiculous, but I have 1 DAP for each of my main IEMs (see my avatar).

    *Edit: turn off the WiFi, not the player. I usually just leave it on and with occasional play it lasts well over a week.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2019
  7. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    Yup, multiple DAPs for one IEM pair. Lets see how the WM1A sounds after I burn it in (should get it this week). I tried the UPNP App on the ZX2, it isn't bad at all! I just thought it was eating up my battery faster than I would like (which make sense, Wi-Fi active and junk).

    Did you try your Andro's balanced on the ZX300?
     
  8. gixxerwimp

    gixxerwimp Professional tricycle rider

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    From ZX300 thread:
     
  9. toranku

    toranku New

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    Got a DTR1 thanks to the recommendation from @Mimouille . Warm yet extremely clean sounding with fantastic transient response.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    I would not call AK Kann Cube a DAP in a conventional sense but has anyone had a chance to listen to the beast?
    I am getting frustrated with my desk setup and was considering Kann Cube as a portable all in one. It even has 5 pin mini XLR and with 5 pin to 2x3 pin cable it can feed any balanced amp. But if it does not sound good what's a point. I found some enthusiastic and useless reviews but nothing that I would consider trustworthy.
     
  11. Aeron

    Aeron Facebook Friend

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    Just the plain old Kann is incredible with my Solaris and ZMF Over-ears.
     
  12. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    That's good to know and more info is coming up. The 5 pin mini XLR was a bit of mystery to me but it looks like, with 5 pin mini XLR to 2x3 pin XLR adapter, it is a balanced output from the Kann Cube DAC. Almost $1500 is a bit steep but if it could really replace my current desk setup with 5% or less of used space why not.
     
  13. Bloom

    Bloom MOT: Bloom Audio

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    I'm not really a "DAP guy," but the KANN CUBE impresses me a lot. I would probably call it a "transportable" in the same way as a Hugo 2. It's portable, but portable in the sense that you can bring it with you in a backpack (not a pocket). This thing is freaking POWERFUL and the sound is as good as I've heard in any DAP under $3k.
     
  14. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    My big question is how's the software?

    Also, Sabre DAC, eww.
     
  15. Bloom

    Bloom MOT: Bloom Audio

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    Yeah, I would've had the same initial thought regarding Sabre DACs...but I think it's "tuned" pretty well. At least to my ears based on the very brief time I've spent with it.
     
  16. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    ;)
    Funny I just transported a 53 pounds Bryston power amp to their nearby office in Peterboroug, ON.
    But going back to Kann Cube thanks for the listening impressions.
    I am a bit disappointed by the development in the DAP marketing vs technology.
    Nothing would make me spend $3k or even $1k (maybe) on the device I would use on a buss, subway or when I rest on the back seat of a car during a long trip - mobile environment is just not for critical listening .
    My aging DP-X1 with the right headphones, and even DX80 with C5 mini amp come close enough, in such conditions, to Sony NWWM1A, the only one expensive DAC that I had a chance to compare to. Well now we have $8.5K Sony.
    But Kann Cube makes perfect sense to me as a transportable desktop device.
    Too bad I cannot find it in Canada yet, will have to wait until November to buy it in the States.

    EDIT: But here what I can find in Canada: https://baybloorradio.com/personal-...-dmp-z1-digital-music-player-signature-series
    $12k CAD portable player. f**k that.
     
    Last edited: Jul 5, 2019
  17. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    The KANN Cube is available from this store in Vancouver: https://hificentre.com/collections/portable-players

    Free shipping no less.
     
  18. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Only after I placed the order they sent me a message it's out of stock. In any case the order was accepted they are expecting delivery early next week. This thing is becoming popular.
    B&H is shipping to Canada, all taxes and duties included, for exactly the same price.
     
  19. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    I had a couple fishy incidents with my credit card after dealing with B&H so I won't be doing so again. The KANN cube looks awesome...if it weren't 2.5mm I would have seriously considered it.
     
  20. wormcycle

    wormcycle Friend

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    Either they were trying to keep the price low or they are against 4.4!!? But they found a room for 5 pin mini XLR.
    And in the box there is nothing but ..USB cable and a lot of cardboard with A&K logo.
    I remember buying new iBasso DX80, everything was included, even a load simulator for burn-in.
    Moon Audio price for Kann Cube with 5 pin mini XLR adapter and a lather case is..$1,868.00.
    But you cannot argue with the features, and if the sound and build quality is as good as Kann, it is still a great buy.
    Waiting is hell
     

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