DAP discussion thread

Hi @Claud,

What's your favorite DAP to use with the OG Andromeda, aside from the Shanling M8? I've been using a Sony ZX2 for nearly five years now and really love the duo but its battery is dying quickly, and also I need streaming now. Thanks in advance!

 

I have a HiBy R 6 2020 and an A & K SE 200. The Shanling has better SQ than both of them. M8 makes every song sound better,

 

Purchased a Sandling M6 Pro 21 this morning. Music Tech will have them on sale for 20% off starting tomorrow. I am on a preorder list for the M9 SE with AKM chips

 

I'm looking for a DAP for my new DUNU Zen Pro's. I know nothing about the DAP market and it's really daunting there are so many models and brands, many of which I don't really trust very much.

Can anyone recommend something?

I love the technical prowess of the Shanling M6 Pro 21 but don't like it's upward tilting lean FR. Shanling told me it's their brightest DAP.

so I'd like something with similar technical abilities but a more neutral/natural tone and FR. if anything, leaning on the warm side.

I also find the M6 Pro UI to be very clunky and the screen pretty irresponsive. I can live with it, but it's annoying.

I'm thinking about getting the old AKM M6 Pro from Hfifigo which is on sale right now

https://hifigo.com/products/shanling-m6-pro-portable-music-player-with-dual-ak4497eq

Doesn't sold the UI issues or outdated Android software but it would probably sound good.

Any suggestions for alternatives? Under 1k, and preferably under 700.

Thanks!

 

I suspect the AKM M6 Pro, which is what I have, is the "neutrality" your looking for. Won't fix the older Android risk, UI issues, bottom outputs, etc.

I hesitate though because I think you and I hear differently

Are these Zen pro's on sale today? Thinking about purchasing them blind. Problem is I looked over my impressions of the Zen's and thought they were only slightly better resolution wise then the FDX's (8-12% to put a half ass # on it). I'm looking for a significant step up, not a slight one. You obviously feel the Zen Pro's have this...

 

yes they’re on sale today. The Zen Pro is more resolving than the Zen. But I haven’t heard the JVC’s so I can’t compare. But I did compare them to the og Solaris in my review.

they’re on sale today on the zen pro website.

https://www.dunu-topsound.com/product-page/zen-pro

I love them and sold my whole BA iem rig for them and it looks like the AKM M6 Pro.

 

Another thought, the AKM M6 Pro has a bit (let's be honest it's DAC level relativeness here - were not talking transducers or even amps) of that velvet AKM sound in the bass, which I suspect (though I have never heard it) the current ESS based one does not have. I don't mind it but my expectations for it are not Schiit multibit level of bass texture. YMMV and all that

 

Hmm that might not be good because the bass of the Zen Pro needs a kick in the ass. It’s a little loose straight from the iPod touch 7. But I’m sure the M6 Pro AKM is much better than that. I think it’s an amping thing.

 

The AKM M6 Pro grips the D8000 just fine out of single ended (60 ohm and 98 db sensitive), and the Clear (more sensitive) out of balanced really well. I think it's the AKM chip and not the amp that lends a touch of 'velvet' bass to the DAP...

 

Are there any alternative DAP's I should look into before pulling the trigger on this one? There are so many models. It seems like Shanling DAP's sound really good though from impressions.

 

I don't get these new kilobuck chinese daps. Like when did iBasso dx series get to a absurd $2290? Lol

 

The AK SR25 mk1 is on sale now for 500. I haven't heard it but it has gotten solid reviews (Warmish sound apparently). The small size and battery life (20 hours) are right. If I were on the DAP market I'd probably go that way. They just released an Mk2 which has some supposed sonic improvements + 4.4 balanced.

If you're willing to connect with your phone, laptop and or tiny DAP (e.g. Shanling Q1), I can recommend the Dethonray Honey DAC/AMP. It does a really nice job with my DDs, with a class A kind of warm and punchy sound and not as bad AKM velvet sound as I've heard elsewhere. Pairing with the Q1 gives you a tiny surprisingly decent sounding player to throw around on the go, and then a substantial sonic upgrade with the Honey when you're more stationary.

 

RD if possible try the Cayin N6ii, it has swappable dac modules with boards from ESS, AKM, Ti and even a discrete R2R one

 

That I think was on day one maybe. My DX220 I bought for $660 new open box was one of my best buys in audio. But Chinese or not the motivation to buy $2-3k hardware to use on a busy street is pretty mysterious to me.
But some people buy good expensive DAPs as portable dac/amps, that makes sense.

 

Hiby RS6 R2R dap - Anyone played with one of these? I'm intrigued with it's R2R topology, but the price is high... https://store.hiby.com/products/hiby-rs6

 

You might want to try a Cayin RU6 amp/DAC dongle first to see if you like the sound. Just plug a 4.4 balanced IEM or Headphone cord in one end and a USB C cord into your USB port of your computer $250

 

I do have the RU6 and like it quite a bit, one of the reasons why I'm interested in the Hiby RS6

 

You are on the right track. Also check out Cayin DAPs (you have probably already done that).

 

I haven’t heard it but as per a friend the battery backup is like 6hrs in his unit. However he still has it because he likes the sound signature of it.

 

6 hr is fine, I've already been trained by my Sony ZX507. So your friend likes the sound, that's a good sign