A good DAP or a good AMP

[adammax]

Hi guys,

Would like to hear some opinion. A good DAP or good AMP a better choice? Assuming source is loseless.

 

[alamakazim]

my priority for portable source = source without external amp (portability)

 

[FatalethaL]

votes for source (DAP) as well.

so far the good DAPs i have heard is AK100/120, DX50/100, Colourfly C4, Cowon J3, Sansa Clip Zip, Fiio X3, Hisound Nova1

i recommend Sansa for decently good SQ for its price and size. price/performance no fight.

Follow by Hisound Nova 1 for sweet mids.

Entry level "audiophile" player would be Fiio X3.

"Slightly" higher than entry level (or between entry to mid tier) would be DX50.
Then follow by AK100.

DX100 and AK120 are... both good players. i recommend DX100 if u really like clinical reference sound. else, AK120.


To me, amps is just to provide more juice to more difficult driven earphone/headphone. and amps to me to not make much of a significant difference as compared to upgrading to a better DAP or head gears.

So.. in other words, upgrading flow to me would be "Head gear" > Music formats > DAPs > DAP mod (if there is any) > amps > cables (eg interconnect and head gear cables)

 

[destrozer]

votes for source (DAP) as well.

so far the good DAPs i have heard is AK100/120, DX50/100, Colourfly C4, Cowon J3, Sansa Clip Zip, Fiio X3, Hisound Nova1

i recommend Sansa for decently good SQ for its price and size. price/performance no fight.

Follow by Hisound Nova 1 for sweet mids.

Entry level "audiophile" player would be Fiio X3.

"Slightly" higher than entry level (or between entry to mid tier) would be DX50.
Then follow by AK100.

DX100 and AK120 are... both good players. i recommend DX100 if u really like clinical reference sound. else, AK120.


To me, amps is just to provide more juice to more difficult driven earphone/headphone. and amps to me to not make much of a significant difference as compared to upgrading to a better DAP or head gears.

So.. in other words, upgrading flow to me would be "Head gear" > Music formats > DAPs > DAP mod (if there is any) > amps > cables (eg interconnect and head gear cables)

you forgot about the colorfly c4! I would place it with DX100 and AK120 definitely. I find the musicality of the player is better than the other two though it loses out in details.

 

[kenz]

Definitely a good DAP comes first.

Best recommendation for price to performance now is the ibasso DX50.
For SGD$349 and approximately 65% of DX100 performance, it's good.
disclaimer: the software is still cmi despite v.1.1.6 update.

If money no concern, the 3 amigos, ibasso DX100, Hifiman HM-901 and iRiver AK120 are the ones to go.

For amps, the ones i like are,
1. ALO rxMK3B+ (~ $950)
2. TubeAmp TA-1 ($350)
3. RSA Intruder ($938)
4. RSA SR-71A ($639)
5. HeadAmp Pico Power ($600+)

 

[widget]

A good DAP anytime

 

[derazor]

but but

since your cellphone will always be with you, a good amp would be better??

 

[kenz]

but but

since your cellphone will always be with you, a good amp would be better??

Good point for those only using cellphones.

 

[Guan22]

A good DAP for me anyday over a good amp

 

[justin007]

Lol.. everything in the audio chain is important, even the power supply. But it all starts with the source. If source is bad.. U cannot make it better, but U can make it sound different.

Start with a good source, preferably lossless music files. Then a good DAP..smartphones are ok (but use lossless music files), but they lose out to good dedicated DAPs.

Then look into the rest of the chain, especially the last part.. your ears. lol.. good ear hygiene, cleaning up the passageways is good practice, especially for IEMs... lol

The type of earphones being used is important to determine if one needs an amp. If U use a low resistance cans, e.g., IEMS, personally, I think that one does not need an amp.. though no one will stop U from having one (overkill), but if U have one of those difficult to drive cans, then, an amp is necessary, if not vital.

Next is cables.. but that is another can of worms..

Personally, I would first decide on the listening situations for my headphone. e.g. portability or sedentary.. if I were to listen to music on the move, I would then choose a good DAP, no amp, and iems (preferably). For sedentary use.. DAP, DAC, AMP, headphones.. lol...

 

[Taeyeonie]

A good DAP definitely comes first.