DAPs

[MrBoat]

I've looked through the search function. I noticed most of the threads on the subject are either somewhat dated, or limited. Is this because nobody really bothers with them or because phones do it all now? What about tablets and such? I had no idea DAPs existed. I'm not a smartphone person and I certainly don't want to pay $4-800 on a phone if I can help it. Some of the more moderately priced units boast great sound with lossless music.

I looked up the FiiO X5 and the likes. Read what was generally good reviews but a few that had quality issues and complaints with erroneous UI.

Anybody use or tried them for any length of time?

 

[slipperybidness]

I've looked through the search function. I noticed most of the threads on the subject are either somewhat dated, or limited. Is this because nobody really bothers with them or because phones do it all now? What about tablets and such? I had no idea DAPs existed. I'm not a smartphone person and I certainly don't want to pay $4-800 on a phone if I can help it. Some of the more moderately priced units boast great sound with lossless music.

I looked up the FiiO X5 and the likes. Read what was generally good reviews but a few that had quality issues and complaints with erroneous UI.

Anybody use or tried them for any length of time?

Modern smart phones have pretty much made the DAP obsolete.

I held out on a smart phone until the iPhone 4. Today, I use the Galaxy S6 Active and absolutely love it.

Buy a quality smart phone, the $ would be better spent than on a DAP.

 

[j_garcia]

On my S8 I currently have 196GB of space. No need for a DAP and most people today use their tablets and phones and/or just stream. I don't like to stream while mobile, so I download. I have since switched to USB in the car though. I have some older phones and if they have enough space, they make good players actually because they are usually easy to connect to wifi and download to; no docks, easy to charge, more capability than pretty much all players. Just set it to airplane mode and use it.

One word: Pono. AKA, a good example of DAPs being obsolete already.

 

[MrBoat]

So the DAC on smart phones is as good as those on DAPs? I figure they probably are but just for the fact that DAPs exist, had me thinking they may do music better somehow.

 

[lovinthehd]

I usually just stream from my phone (or use my phone to manage streaming from the pc/drives) rather than use its DAC/analog out. Using analog out it has upper volume limits plus the limiting physical connection; altho the quality seems okay, wireless streaming over my wifi is simply preferable.

 

[MrBoat]

At work I have a bookshelf stereo system. Sometimes the guys hook their phones up to it with varying degrees of sound quality and loudness, or lack of. A lot of times I am there at night by myself and there are very few quality radio stations. I have Pandora on my phone but it kind of sucks too. A few times a year I fly to Philly and end up in NJ., sometimes for 2 weeks. I was hoping to have better than average sound for music with actual headphones while flying and while I am there since nobody really listens to music.

At home, I'm covered. Don't need anything else for that.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Even my ancient S2 could play Flacs and hold more space than some ipods
S4 had been tested to have an excellent DAC and headphone amp.
Willing to bet refub S4 won't cost much now-a-days

 

[slipperybidness]

Personally, when I listen from my phone, I'm typically using BT headphones. I know, AH heresy, get the pitchforks

If I do actually use wired cans, I typically run the phone output to a CMOY DIY headphone amp, then to the cans.

Or, it is good to use phone to control a streaming device. For example, my RPi audiophile streamer.

 

[MrBoat]

I guess I was hoping that there was a portable device more dedicated to music playback. That a good portion of it's resources were not dedicated to movies, redundant apps, selfie cameras, social media, ringtones and notifications for every possible mundane mental, or bodily function. Something that perhaps was not tracked by every slimy marketing worm.

 

[j_garcia]

I have had every Samsung since the S4. All of them had good DACs. Only ever owned one ipod and once I got a phone that could handle music, there was no reason to have two devices for that. I actually listen to music via my tablet quite a bit streamed or downloaded, via headphone jack to my mini system in the bedroom.

 

[slipperybidness]

I guess I was hoping that there was a portable device more dedicated to music playback. That a good portion of it's resources were not dedicated to movies, redundant apps, selfie cameras, social media, ringtones and notifications for every possible mundane mental, or bodily function. Something that perhaps was not tracked by every slimy marketing worm.

Yeah, you can get a dedicated DAP. I just don't see the value in it in the slightest. The majority of the population tends to agree, the sales numbers make that clear. Same for cameras, only the enthusiast has a standalone camera now, and the phone cameras are very good now anyway.

The smart phone really is an incredible invention. Basically a computer and internet in your pocket. I don't actually even talk on my phone very much.

Just because all of those other features are there, it does not detract from the music portion of the phone.

I do agree about the slimy marketing tracking! That is the drawback.

And, I understand the reluctance to move to a smart phone, I was the same way many years ago. Once I bought in, my entire attitude changed.

 

[slipperybidness]

I have had every Samsung since the S4. All of them had good DACs. Only ever owned one ipod and once I got a phone that could handle music, there was no reason to have two devices for that. I actually listen to music via my tablet quite a bit streamed or downloaded, via headphone jack to my mini system in the bedroom.

S6 Active for me, I see no reason to upgrade any time in the near future. I went with the active model specifically for its ruggedness and the fact that it is waterproof. It has taken a couple of 4 foot drops directly on concrete, no case, no problems.

 

[j_garcia]

S6 Active for me, I see no reason to upgrade any time in the near future. I went with the active model specifically for its ruggedness and the fact that it is waterproof. It has taken a couple of 4 foot drops directly on concrete, no case, no problems.

My S6 Edge was great, but even with a case, that screen was too easy to crack. Went back to a "regular" flat one with the 7 and the 8 only comes in edge now, though the curve is a lot smaller than the S6 and S7 edges were. I wouldn't have gotten a 7 if my 6 hadn't broken.

 

[Pogre]

My S6 Edge was great, but even with a case, that screen was too easy to crack. Went back to a "regular" flat one with the 7 and the 8 only comes in edge now, though the curve is a lot smaller than the S6 and S7 edges were. I wouldn't have gotten a 7 if my 6 hadn't broken.

I have the S6 Edge now and I love it. I use a headphone jack to play music in my truck a lot and it sounds great. I only have FLAC files on it and never really stream anything outside of YouTube, which I guess I actually do a lot because I stream music from there sometimes too, lol.

I got an otterbox defender and the edge of the case sticks out further than the screen. I've dropped it a few times and keep it in my front pocket. With the case on, I feel pretty confident. By itself, not so much. It does look easy to break.

 

[slipperybidness]

My S6 Edge was great, but even with a case, that screen was too easy to crack. Went back to a "regular" flat one with the 7 and the 8 only comes in edge now, though the curve is a lot smaller than the S6 and S7 edges were. I wouldn't have gotten a 7 if my 6 hadn't broken.

The Edge certainly looks cool and futuristic.

But, ruggedness was my main priority. I also like to stick a phone in my front pocket, and it sucks trying to do that on a phone in a case. So, the S6 Active checked all the boxes for me.

Of course, FLAC is nice too. It is a little hassle not having a micro-sd slot, but there are workarounds.

The only regret is that it won't work with the VR systems, it's just a little too thick as compared to the non-active models. I don't think that system was even on the market when I purchased the phone.

#First World Problems

 

[Bucknekked]

So the DAC on smart phones is as good as those on DAPs? I figure they probably are but just for the fact that DAPs exist, had me thinking they may do music better somehow.

I applaud your search for a dedicated, portable, good as it gets music player that's not a smartphone.
Unfortunately, I have trod this ground already and I must agree with all the previous posts. Today's smartphone, even one that's a couple of generations old, simply is a better device. I played my last two ipods until the hard drives locked up and the devices simply wouldn't turn on anymore. I loved them. But, I'm also not replacing them either. My Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is good for lots of things : music included.

By the way, it also makes a great wifi network anaylzer for those who want to look at their home wifi networks. Its like REW for wifi. Use your phone as a music player AND a wifi monitor. (courtesy of BSA)

 

[j_garcia]

I have the S6 Edge now and I love it. I use a headphone jack to play music in my truck a lot and it sounds great. I only have FLAC files on it and never really stream anything outside of YouTube, which I guess I actually do a lot because I stream music from there sometimes too, lol.

I got an otterbox defender and the edge of the case sticks out further than the screen. I've dropped it a few times and keep it in my front pocket. With the case on, I feel pretty confident. By itself, not so much. It does look easy to break.

I dropped mine many times. It only takes that one time that the curved part hits something. Mine happened to land on concrete.

 

[Bucknekked]

I dropped mine many times. It only takes that one time that the curved part hits something. Mine happened to land on concrete.

my condolences. I will observe a moment of silence on your behalf.

 

[j_garcia]

 

[lovinthehd]

Even my ancient S2 could play Flacs and hold more space than some ipods
S4 had been tested to have an excellent DAC and headphone amp.
Willing to bet refub S4 won't cost much now-a-days

DAC may be excellent quality but as far as output goes I can't turn my S4 up loud enough when using the headphone jack either with headphones or with plugging it in to an aux input on my car's head unit or into receivers. I believe there are more options in this respect (and also using as a USB mass storage device) if I rooted the phone but I haven't....