DAP for around $500 ?

devilcm3

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
2,337
Reaction score
0
Hi guys, need some advice here ^^

I currently own a 1964ears Qi (4BA)
And I'm terribly annoyed with my iphone7 and its use of lightning adapter to connect to my in-ears.

So I thought of getting myself a better source.
I've done some research of the products within this price range
Sony NW-A35
iBasso DX80
Fiio X5 3rd Gen
Pioneer xdp-100r
I'm excluding the Onkyo X1 because it seems that they have issue with the 3.5mm jacks ( i use only 3.5mm )

So my question is, between these four devices which one has closest to neutral sound signature? I like things neutral, previously I own westone um1, then um3 ... so i decided just to stick to neutrality as much as possible ^^

Thank you very much in advance
 

HamsterKing

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2011
Messages
338
Reaction score
0
Plenue D or M, And the newest pioneer XDR 30, you can head to head fi forum it's better haha! Anyway it's all depends on your view u should go try it, I think Jaben or connect it has them all
Pioneer xdp100r what I see from forums they say it's the flattest
 

Muachee997

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2012
Messages
716
Reaction score
0
To me Sony SQ sound more natural to me.. or you can stack Oppo HA2 which have MFA to your iphone. Within your Budget, best is go for audition .. see which SQ you like
 

86technie

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
36,302
Reaction score
3,386
Sony A3X is my pick, I tried the Pioneer before.
But DAP with Android isn't that beefy as those with their own OS like Sony.
However A3X does not have Spotify support if not I consider
get Sony MDR-1000X wireless /Sony MDR-1ADAC lightning port
compatible to use with your IPhone.
 

Muachee997

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2012
Messages
716
Reaction score
0
Sony A3X is my pick, I tried the Pioneer before.
But DAP with Android isn't that beefy as those with their own OS like Sony.
However A3X does not have Spotify support if not I consider
get Sony MDR-1000X wireless /Sony MDR-1ADAC lightning port
compatible to use with your IPhone.
Looks like I am not the only one fancy Sony natural SQ..
 

86technie

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
36,302
Reaction score
3,386
Looks like I am not the only one fancy Sony natural SQ..

You are not alone since we have trained ears.
Headphone/earpiece is also another factor since my
DAP setup mainly consist of Sony headphone as well as DAP.
 

devilcm3

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2009
Messages
2,337
Reaction score
0
just tried the a35 in sony center,
gotta say that I'm really impressed
 

Fragum

Master Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2012
Messages
2,646
Reaction score
11
Auditioned both sony aw35 and fiio x5 3rd gen.
Personally prefer sony aw35 over fiio x5 3rd gen. fiio was a bit laggy (especially so if you do use spotify on it).

But downside is that sony uses proprietary charging cable :(
 

86technie

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
36,302
Reaction score
3,386
Auditioned both sony aw35 and fiio x5 3rd gen.
Personally prefer sony aw35 over fiio x5 3rd gen. fiio was a bit laggy (especially so if you do use spotify on it).

But downside is that sony uses proprietary charging cable :(

Sony Walkman all along have been using the WM cable.
There is the WM port to USB converter I will not recommend
using it.
If you need to charge just use WM cable, other connection
wise try to use direct cable.

In the past I did try with 3rd party converters and etc. it damage
the motherboard.
That is why I am against trying anything to mod the WM port.
 

Muachee997

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2012
Messages
716
Reaction score
0
Sony Walkman all along have been using the WM cable.
There is the WM port to USB converter I will not recommend
using it.
If you need to charge just use WM cable, other connection
wise try to use direct cable.

In the past I did try with 3rd party converters and etc. it damage
the motherboard.
That is why I am against trying anything to mod the WM port.

Direct cables means those after market WM Dock to line out or WM Dock to digital out?
 

86technie

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
36,302
Reaction score
3,386
Direct cables means those after market WM Dock to line out or WM Dock to digital out?

Yes which there is:



img64864212.jpg


If you wise to use external DAC

31J5OXO1dsL._SX466_.jpg
 

bluelavender

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2011
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
Hi guys, need some advice here ^^

I currently own a 1964ears Qi (4BA)
And I'm terribly annoyed with my iphone7 and its use of lightning adapter to connect to my in-ears.

So I thought of getting myself a better source.
I've done some research of the products within this price range
Sony NW-A35
iBasso DX80
Fiio X5 3rd Gen
Pioneer xdp-100r
I'm excluding the Onkyo X1 because it seems that they have issue with the 3.5mm jacks ( i use only 3.5mm )

So my question is, between these four devices which one has closest to neutral sound signature? I like things neutral, previously I own westone um1, then um3 ... so i decided just to stick to neutrality as much as possible ^^

Thank you very much in advance

At this price range, you might want to consider LG V20. 2 in 1. V20 SQ can easily beat many if not all mid-range DAP and run rings around some of top-end DAP too.
 

generalwu

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2006
Messages
601
Reaction score
0
Amazon has Pioneer XDP-100r at USD$299.90 (Link: here)

And it has international shipping I believed.

Do you guys think it's worth it?

Thanks.
 

86technie

High Supremacy Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
36,302
Reaction score
3,386
Amazon has Pioneer XDP-100r at USD$299.90 (Link: here)

And it has international shipping I believed.

Do you guys think it's worth it?

Thanks.

If you need Spotify/Tidal than go ahead.
For me I tried before but Sony SQ without Android still sound much beefy.
Alternate can source for second hard Sony F886/ zx1
 
Important Forum Advisory Note
This forum is moderated by volunteer moderators who will react only to members' feedback on posts. Moderators are not employees or representatives of HWZ. Forum members and moderators are responsible for their own posts.

Please refer to our Community Guidelines and Standards, Terms of Service and Member T&Cs for more information.
Top