My iPod nano died the other day and so I needed a replacement. Just days before I had a tiktok come up on my fyp about DAPs. Made me think and take an initial look but when my iPod died I knew I needed one immediately. With some research I found what I thought would work best for me. I wanted simple but good so I got the Hifi Walker H2. I haven't had much time with it but so far I'm liking it.

After longo search I have finally chosen my first DAP: the Sony A306. Tried the normal echo, echo nano and echo disc. Since I like the size of them, but the lack of battery always get me, I hate to charge every single day. So I'm testing this and till now, I'm in love. already debloated, using more offline playlists (I'm still downloading) and soon local files.

But I must say: The sound in this tiny device is amazing. Thank you for all the community in this years making posts about and sharing their experiences. Let's rock!

I wanted to dip my toes into a proper DAP on another step towards cutting all my subscriptions including my Plex Pass if I can.

Found this for 65$ CAD.. it's hard to find much info and hardly any reviews but it ticks all the boxes and it's rocking it so far. It's my first DAP so I don't have much else to compare it to but if anyone's looking for a budget option I would recommend it. Bluetooth, up to 512gb sd, glass back and zinc alloy body. Will come up under a few different brand names.

Shown:

Fiio JM21 running Apple Music
Zuo Drumstring Listenvale with stock cable (4.4)
Moondrop Moon River 3

Three questions about my TempoTec Variations V1 if I could.

1. At least on firmware 1.1, is it not possible to use the EQ or MSEB while in PC DAC mode? I can't access MSEB without quitting PC DAC mode, and toggling the EQ button while in PC DAC mode appears to do nothing.

2. Does anyone know how to reliably trigger the quicker scroll by letter option (as shown in my second picture)? It takes me a good 7 tries before I can get it to trigger, I can't figure out where it wants me to touch or what motion it wants me to do to get that to repeatably pop up.

3. On bootup I always get some type of playback error for a second (-13 error, though I feel like I've seen others), and then it loads a fake track (see third picture). "Backing out" and selecting the desired track fixes this. Is this bug common to all or might it have something to do with my tracks, how I'm loading them, etc.?

Thanks!

My humble first DAP setup: 

TempoTec Variations V1 with modded 1.1 firmware for full screen album art

Linsoul KZ ZS10 Pros

KBEAR ST12 cable

Current setup is an echo nano Sony earbuds and an old lighter case I engraved the year of the cat album by Otuka as the case for them I’m planning on getting iems but am not sure currently on which I’m going to get I’m also planning on getting the echo mini

Just a little appreciation for the good looks in this little Hiby family (R4 Eva, M500, R1 running Rockbox).

I prefer this to my Fiio M7. I’m not an audiophile, but it sounds good to me and isn’t slow like the fiio.

I am currently running the innioasis y1 and the moondrop chu ii. I love the iem’s and the y1 but it does have it’s share of problems and i’m looking into upgrading to a better dap with a micro sd card slot and better overall experience, i have been looking at the hiby r3 pro 2 but i am just really looking for any non smart dap so no proper android stuff and i’m stumped, therefore i’m asking the people of this subreddit for help in finding the perfect dap to upgrade to

After some experiments I’ve come up with a Eq setting that might be beneficial to some of you. With thanks to Google gemini for making a great summary after several nights of trial and error.

And it is important to clarify that this is adjusted to my preference and ears.

🎧 The Universal "Organic & Musical" Blueprint for FiiO M21 & FiiO FT7
This specific tuning configuration was meticulously developed through extensive listening sessions to transform a high-end digital source into a breathtakingly organic, analog-sounding, and genre-agnostic masterpiece. It balances technical correction with pure emotional musicality, making it perfect for critical full-album listening in a quiet room.

🔧 Hardware & Acoustic Configuration
Source / DAP: FiiO M21 (Quad CS43198)
Headphones: FiiO FT7 (106mm Open-Back Planar Magnetic)
Earpads: Suede / Fabric pads (for an open, airy soundstage and excellent midrange transparency)
Cable Upgrade: FiiO LL-RC 2025 (1.5m)
(Crucial Note: Replacing the stock 3-meter cable with this high-quality 1.5m cable dramatically enhances ergonomics, ergonomics, and spatial synergy, making the physical experience as seamless as the sound itself).

⚡ System & Filter Settings
Power / Gain: Medium Gain (Lowers the noise floor and harmonic distortion compared to high gain, providing a relaxed, fluid, and unstressed presentation while retaining perfect planar control).
Low Pass Filter: Non-Oversampling (NOS) (Bypasses digital interpolation algorithms, completely eliminating pre-ringing for a temporally perfect, lifelike transient response).
Harmonic Regulation: Level 1 (Injects subtle even-order harmonics to emulate classic tube warmth, giving instruments and vocals realistic body and texture).

🎛️** Precision Parametric EQ Profil**e
This specific curve is scientifically designed to counteract NOS treble roll-off and optimize planar bass punch without introducing acoustic mud or digital clipping:
Pre-Gain: -4.0 dB (Mandatory headroom to prevent digital clipping/distortion).
31 Hz: +3.5 dB | Q: 0.65 | Low Shelf (Seamlessly lifts the lowest sub-bass foundational rumble).
61 Hz: +2.2 dB | Q: 0.70 | Peak (Adds impact to kick drums and bass guitars, compensating for the soft nature of NOS).
121 Hz: -1.8 dB | Q: 0.75 | Peak (Cleans up the mid-bass bleed, preventing boxiness and keeping the lower midrange pristine).
122 Hz to 8.4 kHz: 0.0 dB | Q: 1.00 | Flat (Leaves the emotional core of the music entirely uncolored).
8.5 kHz: +1.0 dB | Q: 0.85 | Peak (Gently bridges the gap into the upper brilliance).
10.0 kHz: +2.3 dB | Q: 0.80 | High Shelf (Perfect compensation curve that reverses NOS treble roll-off, restoring micro-details and air).

For some this might be a little bright and sharp/fatiguing/sibilant. So my suggestion is to maybe experiment a little with reducing the 5k band and boosting the 2k band to achieve better balance.

I’ve been researching DAPs and it’s daunting…

It’s for travel & gym time so prefer smaller size and lighter weight but primarily longer real-world battery life.

I use Apple Lossless for my music & do sometimes stream Spotify Lossless.

Looking for Android-based with microSD card capability. I mainly use both 3.5 and balanced 4.4 IEM with occasional open headphones. Budget is anything under ~$600. But am flexible if an option gives better battery life

Looking at the Activo P1, FiiO M21, HiBy R6 III, Shanling M5, etc.

Looking for something recently developed, not from 3 years ago.

Any recommendations are appreciated!

Hey all,

I’ve got my collection in 16/44 FLAC as a minimum and wondering if I’m missing a trick by not converting to OPUS or AAC (CBR320) before moving it to my R4. What’s people’s thoughts? I can’t particularly hear a difference between the test track of Gaerea - Hellbound in either format.

I have music that's downloaded on my phone and as a test prior to purchasing a dap I have tried moving it to a sd card in the phone . As the picture shows it hasn't placed them in albums , simply a list as shown in pic .

Do I need to place them into separate folders prior to inserting in to a dap (potentially hiby r1) for them to show as albums ..

Sorry I am not tech savvy so please be gentle if I am not sounded too clued up .

I've only recently started thinking of getting an MP3 player so I don't know much, but I'm looking for an MP3 player with the following features:

- Bluetooth support
- Has the ability to have sub-folders of music (so I can sort my songs)
- within the budget of around $100AUD
- This one is going to be really specific, and why I needed to come here; I have OCD, which is triggered by uneven left/rights. And when I skip a song, it triggers my OCD, so I need an MP3 player with side buttons that are vertical that skip songs (preferably the skip song button is on the bottom of the two, or a standalone skip button/programmable button)

I know this is really specific, but I want to get off spotify and also have a standalone device for music. If anyone knows of anything like this I'd really appreciate the help, Thanks.

This is my first DAP since my Zune HD nearly 15 years ago. Sony NW-A55 Walkman and I'm loving it!

Hi ! I’m looking to buy my first DAP, what’s your advices ?
It has to have those features:
- budget around 100€
- buttons navigation (if touch screen, has the possibility to control my music in the pocket)
- can handle at least 500go sd card
- can play big files like flac
- usb c is a plus
- Bluetooth is a plus
- easy to navigate and play by album in the good order
- smaller than a smartphone
- better sound quality than a smartphone
- I’m not into streaming so I don’t mind if it doesn’t have this feature

Thanks !

Today, I use a set of Axil GS Extreme ear protection while mowing grass and working with powertools. I pair these to my android device and so far so good. I often listen to audio books via AudioBookshelf Apps on Android, but sometimes pivot to podcast audio (local/offline access, not streamed)

I'd like a dedicated DAP, preferrable with some physical controls, as I'd prefer my phone not be exposed to these chores. I've been considered a budget DAP like HIFI Walker G7 Pro or JadeAudio JM21 (3+32) as a possibility.

Given a) I'm not looking for high-end audio specs while I'm mowing grass and b) Not looking for a high dollar investment due to the rugged exposure this will have, any other suggested items to consider? BT conneciton a must. Android is STRONGLY preffered but, if anyone has an alternative AudioBookShelf state route I'd consider.

Love the new case for echo mini, it was a snug fit

Fiio JM21 with Kefine Delci AE.

I never thought I'd get one to be honest but I go on daily walks and listen to music. And I realized I don't want to carry my phone every time.

So, I looked for lightweight DAPs and ended up with Fiio JM21. And for the IEM I was looking for something that could play R&B music well and is also around my budget so I got the Kefine Delci AE using the silver nozzle.

I love it! Although I didn't know that using the IEM drains the battery that much even if I have battering saving on, low gain, wifi off and the songs are downloaded. Still worth it tbh.

Which is better

Hi all,

Have owned an Ibasso DX260 (v1) for maybe a couple of years now. Recently decided to dry adding in the PB6 Macaw tube amp into the equation after reading some online reviews spruiking it.

Only arrived a few days ago from Aliexpress, and on first few listens, I'm noticing a faint high-pitched whine/hum coming from the right channel of my connected IEMs.

Potentially relevant setup info as follows, if it helps anyone to possibly diagnose;

DAP: Ibasso DX260

IEMs: Thieaudio Monarch mk2

Interconnect cable: stock Balanced cable included with PB6

IEM cable: Dunu Lyre Mini (Balanced)

DAP volume: ~90%

PB6 Volume: An appropriate listening level?

Other PB6 settings: GAIN: Low, BANDWIDTH: High, MODE: Tube

Initial diagnostic findings:

1) The whine only appears to come from the right earpiece of my IEMs.

2) The whine increases in volume when the volume of the PB6 is increased.

3) The whine is much louder when Gain is set to High, but still noticeable at higher volumes when gain is set to Low.

4) Switching modes from TUBE to AB causes the whine to completely stop.

Having never owned a tube amp like this before, I'm just not sure whether this is a normal/expected thing, and I'm just being overly nitpicky, or whether there's a chance one of the tubes is failing/faulty on arrival, and thus whether I should be seeking a warranty replacement through Ibasso or the AE seller.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for your time.

After seeing many posts from people (mostly newcomers to the hobby) confused about basic features like gapless playback, USB DAC support, ReplayGain, bit-perfect playback, etc, I decided to make a video to try to help explain what exactly those things are and if they really matter. So, if you ever wondered about all of these terms and features that most DAPs have, I think this video is for you.

Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/-o0Oq-cacog

These are the overall topics covered in the video:

1. Music Playback Features
2. Audio Processing and OS Audio
3. Music Service Streaming Support
4. Wi-Fi and Network Features
5. Bluetooth Features
6. USB Features
7. Storage Features
8. Battery and Desktop Features
9. Physical Controls
10. Touchscreen Performance
11. Screen-Off Button Behaviour
12. Outputs and Operating Modes
13. Firmware and Long-Term Support

I have filters for most of these features in my DAP guide/database on my website: https://www.hifioasis.com/daps/

So, I hope the video and database are helpful to everyone who is looking at getting a DAP but is confused by all of the various features and marketing around them.

I've had an Oilsky M308 for almost a year now and it was working perfectly fine for me, until today it suddenly stopped turning on. At most, I'll see the backlight flicker on for a second but it doesn't even do that anymore. I suppose that means it is time for a new DAP, and I was wondering if there are any similar ones which came out that are in a similar price range? I'm willing to spend at most $200, and even that's a stretch. The feature of the Oilsky M308 I particularly loved was the volume wheel, and having Android as well. Any suggestions?

My old reliable walkman loaded up for future enjoyment.