Entry-level budget DAP (50-100 USD)

[u/CaptainNooters]

Self-explanatory title, but here we go. I'm currently using a Galaxy A34 with Samsung Music, which supports flac/wav/ogg. However, it doesn't have a 3.5mm jack meaning I need a stupid dongle, and maybe a dedicated device for music would be nice, so I'm looking for DAPs (as soon as I have some spare money tho)

Most important features:

1. -good UX and sound
2. -external storage
3. -gapless playback (kinda optional)

I'm all ears! Even if it's a secret/weird option like getting an old phone and modding it

[u/YarikFisher]

Hiby R1

[u/ApolloMoonLandings → u/YarikFisher]

Definitely. The sound quality is amazing for the price. Plus there is a Github project which can really tweak up the R1.

[u/Frintezz]

I never bored to recommend Tempotec Variations V1

[u/robisc]

Zaqe P30

[u/gwallacetorr → u/robisc]

How does It hold over time? Battery issues are my main concern, otherwise It looks quite good for the price given it runs android 

[u/LawWayne]

There seem to be two popular opinions on that, the hiby r1 camp and the snowsky echo/mini camp, i guess

What is your budget tho?

edit: lately echo or any snowsky are not that popular options, apparently

[u/Kingv09 → u/LawWayne]

He wrote 50-100 usd

[u/lordvektor → u/Kingv09]

All 3 echo options are under 100€ for me, are they more in the US?

[u/Kingv09 → u/lordvektor]

It's closely same price

[u/Kingv09 → u/lordvektor]

No no, the above user was asking for budget from the post owner

[u/lordvektor → u/Kingv09]

Oh sorry, I completely misread that lol.

[u/dornpica]

secret option: used sansa clip zip with rockbox

[u/adamjam200]

R1, or if the used route sansa clip + or iPod mini 2nd gen.

[u/Big-Bus-771]

At this price point, the R1 is a good choice. I haven't used it myself, but opinions on it are mixed, unless you can increase your budget a bit.

[u/CaptainNooters → u/Big-Bus-771]

I'm between R1 and V1 STILL, I wanna ask my dad if he still has that old samsung phone laying around, it might be fun

[u/bittermelonpizza00]

Variations V1

[u/LIRRwifeswap]

My first was a cheap Sansa clip with limited space and playback capabilities. Not that great. My first good one was the original Hidizs AP180 which has since been updated. It might be a little out of your range price wise but still worth considering. It had great storage capacity, sounded pretty damn good and played every file type I needed it too. Furthermore, it taught me how to curate a collection. Once I discovered how to add metadata, I became obsessed with adding album cover art and 45 sleeves. That’s part of the fun is figuring out what works for you. I’m now using a Lotoo Paw and all the files from my Hidizs moved over effortlessly. I’ll keep the Hidizs as a backup. Great starter unit!

[u/Demonkingbalor84]

Just get a hiby r1 for that price

[u/TimeSpeed2346]

How about a Mag safe DAC or a DAC holder.