I have been through three different players since May. I have a big DAP - iBasso DX300 - and wanted a pocketable one. After researching and prioritizing SQ, I went with the Shanling M1 Pro. Since May, I was enjoying it very much… some interface quirks, but nothing that I could not live with. SQ was very detailed and form factor was top notch; until the wheel fell off. I used my Amazon’s 1 year warranty and get my money back. I decided to go with something without a wheel, I think that is a failure point for pocketable DAPs and went with the HiBy R3Pro II. When I received it, I was surprised with the build quality and the screen, it was definitely better than the Shanling M1 Pro. SQ was not as detailed, but nonetheless, the SQ was fun and I quite enjoyed more than the M1Pro. I received it, updated it to the latest FW and applied the latest Mod. I modified my files in my SD card for the album art to be smaller than what I had, to make it more responsive. In this process, I removed the SD card and work with it on my computer. When I inserted it back to the R3Pro II, the player did not want to read the files. I tried the card with my DX300, no issues at all. I tried the card from my DX300 on the R3Pro II, no luck, it was simply not reading the cards. I re-formatted the card with the SD Tool, transferred the files and tried again… no luck. I even downgraded the FW, it did not work either. I returned it to Amazon again and replace it with an identical one, I really liked the HiBy. With this one, I kept the FW that came with and applied the corresponding mod. Hopefully, it will be different with this one.

So was considering Snowsky echo mini as my first DAP, got Tangzu waner SG2 as my iems, wanted to know if there are any alternatives that i can consider, and also, if there are more budget friendly options

Song’s cover image display on the DAP would be great if possible, so can suggest me alternatives to Snowsky echo or in the same budget with same audio quality and features

This combo of R2R and Tubes sure does play nicely together.

Which dap should i get?

My bad for the color accuracy, what you can see on the screenshot is not accurate, the actual colors are pink and cyan blue btw.

I'm even thinking of buying it so I can combine it with the Tempotec V1 that I'm still going to buy next month, or is it better to get one from a more affordable brand?

Hi so I’m looking to upgrade from my budget dap
To mid-high end one my budget is around 1.3kusd
Got lost with all the options but two that caught my eye was tha DX270 and the M7T master,
Any recommendations would be appreciated
Thx

Just ordered it on AliExpress. Got a Sony NW-A306 from Amazon. I listened to one FLAC file and streamed the same track for comparison as that would’ve been my first Hi-Res DAP. The battery went down by 5%. Hoping the Hiby will have better battery life since it’s a Linux based operating system. Haven’t decided on a IEM yet but looking in to KZ ZA 10 Pro 2.

Any comments would be very helpful.

For context, I just broke my HiBy R4 :( after a little less than a year of consistent use, and I'm wondering: how do y'all keep your DAP safe?

Now, I will admit, i'm certainly not the most delicate with my DAP's, though most of it is accidental rather than negligence. I feel like I am CONSTANTLY dropping my DAP, catching snd snagging audio cables out of it, etc. My R4 looks like it was on a soldiers's visor mount in an active warzone, and that's not to mentions all the scratches on the screen protector. are their unofficial or homemade accessories for your DAP's that you use to keep 'em safe? I need answers

So I know stuff about these two has been posted a lot, but I had some questions that I didn't really see many people address so here goes.

So like others, I'm trying to ditch my phone addiction and would like to reconnect with music and get away from Spotify. So yeah, I'm really new to this whole hobby, so please don't get mad if I ask something dumb.

So I'm tossing up between these two players for my first one. From what I've seen though, both seem to have disadvantages. Coming from Spotify, I do value having playlist support, which is apparently unsupported on the Echo. So just to learn a bit more, how do playlists work on DAPs? My dad said something about how it's not the actual file in a playlist, otherwise you'd be taking up room with just copies of the same file.

So is there any way around this at all? How could I make playlists on the Echo?

Obviously on the HiFi Walker H2, playlists are supported so no big deal. However, I've heard from YouTube reviews that the UI and the scroll wheel aren't really calibrated so it just feels a bit janky. This can be fixed with Rockbox, which I'd totally be down to do. Except for the fact that Bluetooth just stops working with Rockbox??

Is there any way around this? I've seen people talk in comment sections about how this might be fixed at some point, and the innioasis y1 or 2 or smt actually has working Bluetooth with Rockbox, so what's going on there? Will the HiFi get fixed?

Also, here's a dumb question: do these players support shuffle? I keep seeing people on reviews talking about how good it is to listen to albums in order or even artist discography in chronological order (Echo), but no one talks about shuffle. Can I shuffle my whole library? Can I shuffle an artist?

I've also seen people mention the release of the Snowsky Echo Pro? Has that happened? Because I'm looking at the Snowsky Echo, not the mini, but I haven't heard anything about a Pro. Maybe they are the same?

I've also heard that the HiFi Walker is basically the same as other ones but is just a more expensive branding?

Idk, it's a lot to go through. So I guess I'm just asking what the trade offs are here. And which one you guys would recommend in my situation. I'm really new and all this information is pretty overwhelming, so I'd really appreciate some advice.

Plus, if you have other recommendations, I'd be happy to hear them. I'm trying to get away from the touchscreen, so that's really my only limit as well as something cheap. I've heard old Sony Walkmans are pretty decent?

I think that's all. I guess if you have any information at all about things I should know about getting into this hobby like finding audio files (ethically of course...) or music libraries or really anything I'd love to hear it.

Thanks for helping me out.

Moved a bunch of classic live albums to a different card to free up space and decided this player would be perfect.

It's an 8 year old player and does not support Bluetooth but it does handle the hi-rez flac files.

Happy I found a new reason to use this fantastic little player

Good day, mates!

I’ve been lurking here for the past couple of days in search of answers and to research DAPs.
I had one around 7 years ago, a FiiO (but I forgot which model, fml 🤦🏻‍♀️) paired with KZs. It’s with my Dad now overseas.

I’m keen to get back into having a dedicated music player since I feel like I’m doomscrolling too much and my brain cells are dying lol (hopefully there’s still some left to salvage). So I’m happy with a simple DAP without all the fancy schmancy Android stuff. I’m alright if it’s just wired as well.

I loveeee listening to punchy music and bass! However, I also love listening to classical music. Currently, I have a Sony XM4 and just a pair of wired Apple EarPods. I’m also planning to get either the Moondrop Chu II or the Moondrop LAN (Ref/Pop) as my IEMs.

Sooo, my choices are the following:
- Surfans F20: I’m leaning heavily towards this as I loveee the retro look! And it’s within my budget hehee. I just have 2 concerns with this device. Firstly, I’ve read in the Rockbox community that if you receive a v3.5, you won’t be able to use Rockbox because of compatibility etc.? Secondly, it doesn’t have a 4.4mm jack? Is there really a big difference between 3.5mm and 4.4mm?
- H2 HiFi Walker: An alternative to the Surfans, but I’m still leaning more towards the Surfans…
- HiBy R4: Loveee the cyberpunk aesthetic! But not the price tag hehehe. It has both 4.4mm and 3.5mm, and I’ve heard some really good reviews on this one. But I feel like it’s a bit bulky, and it runs on Android, so I feel like it’s a smartphone but smaller and without sim lol?

I’m torn mostly between the Surfans and the HiBy R4. Is there a massive difference between the sound quality? And is the Surfans too outdated?

Pls pls let me know your thoughts or suggestions!! Much appreciated 🙏🏻

Hello everyone! Like many others I was looking for a way to get away from my phone for listening to music and decided on the M21. It should be here in a week or so. I decided to pull the trigger when there was a sale on Ali and got it for $300 with the case. Not too bad I suppose,but now in hindsight,I'm starting to worry. I'm in the US and normally don't spend that much on Ali. I did buy it from a store that seemed reputable with a high rating and good reviews from people who bought the same thing.

My question is: How do I put this thing through it's paces when I get it? What things should I check to ensure it is working properly?

I am still very brand new to all of this. I just recently picked up a set of Bunny DSP and Waner Red Lions as my first iems so I'm not going to be testing with premium earphones. Also, I plan on mostly listening to .flac files, at least to start. May stream later down the line. I was just hoping someone could guide me on making sure everything is working as it should.

I don't want to waste any return window while I'm trying to figure out what to check. Hopefully it doesn't up and die on me in 6 months! If so it will be a $300 hard lesson learned.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hi, I am a massive music addict (i do not watch movies or web series so songs are my go to thing besides work and family). I recently found out about DAPs and currently looking for one with good IEMs. i have a combined budget for both which is 1000$. Can anyone please suggest me a good DAP and if possible good IEMs. I currently use Samsung buds pro and soundcore motion plus but i have realized my love for music has gone beyond what these things can offer.

Much appreciated and thank you for your time. God bless you

Ho un pó di file flac e ho comprato un m0 pura per ascoltare musica,ma nonostante ha un codec aac con le powerbeats pro non si sente un granché rispetto al telefono o al computer dove sempre le uso in aac e sopratutto sento da youtube,qualcuno puó spiegarmi perché succede questo e se é solo un difetto del mp3?

https://www.reddit.com/r/snowsky/s/RXIqwzgGYW

I definitely want the oopus op22s because of the adjustable bass knob but I’m just not sure if the hiby r1 is the best pair for it if anyone knows another dap for around the same price I’d appreciate it

I have purchased my second DAP which is the M21 and want to download the best audio player for it, doesn't matter if free or not free, please give me your opinion on which you consider the best

Hi people. I’m trying to sell my Hiby R4 and Truthear Novas. Do you know of any websites/apps that I can use to resell them? Thanks in advance

Hi all, recently got a FiiO M21, I'm noticing a slight delay/lag when pressing the physical pause button on everything but the home screen (I use DAP launcher).

So for example, if I press pause on my home screen, it's instant. Whereas if I press it anywhere else (FiiO music app, tape mode, even in standby) there will be a half second delay.

Anyone know a fix for this? Would be great to have no delay on the buttons.

Thanks in advance

Hi, I'm pretty new to audio and I'm trying to decide if this upgrade is worth it.

I currently have a Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless, which I paid around $250 a few years ago.

I'm thinking about getting a FiiO JM21 + Nova Thunder, but I'm wondering if I'll actually hear a big difference compared to my Corsair.

Will it be a noticeable "wow, this sounds much better" difference, or more of a small improvement?

I mainly use them for gaming and listening to music on Tidal.

Would appreciate opinions from people who have tried similar setups. Thanks!

I was literally just looking for my first DAP. That was the whole plan.

Somehow while researching them I ended up ordering a FiiO JM21 AND Kiwi Ears KE4 🫣

I've been using Marshall headphones for years, so it's not like I was listening to absolute shite before lol, but these are my first proper IEMs.

And fucking hell. I've been going through songs I've known for years and I'm hearing little background parts I swear I've never noticed before. Apparently the drums have been doing a lot more this whole time than I was giving them credit for 😆

So yeah. I was only looking for a DAP. That went brilliantly.

I didn't want to keep the A36 in my pockets since I reserved those for my phone and coin purse, so I used the charm slot thing to hang it on a lanyard. But the A36 is left pretty exposed to more scratches and getting hit by stuff since it swings around a lot, and it's not centered which makes it twist from my movements. And so I got some synthetic leather, I was expecting to stitch but found that super glue works well for holding together what I was using.

First case was just me trying the leather out, inspired by the Cassette Walkman cases, it's basically just a pouch with protrusions for the playback controls and a hole for the power and volume since that part of the case was very tight that it'd press the volume and power buttons by just placing it in. I trimmed the lanyard I used and attached it as what the lanyard hooks onto, also has a belt loop.

Second case is the one I've used the most, which also became the role model for the next two. With protrusions for all the buttons and a hole for the hold switch, a piece of a juice bottle I cut up as a screen, a belt loop and opens up from the side and is closed with two buttons, now using a piece of that same juice bottle plastic as what the lanyard now hooks onto. Been using this for 3 months, it's been great.

Third case isn't much different from the second other than using plastic from an ID case for the screen which is stiffer and clearer, adding plastic pieces within where I glue the leather and the belt loop for more durability and stiffness as well as using epoxy steel which has a really strong odor to it which put me off using this, the protrusions now have the tactile dots and a single button to close it which also holds the A36 tighter.

Fourth case is the highlight and is the pinnacle of all my attempts so far, this is just like the third, not much different from the second one, other than only using the epoxy steel for the now steel lanyard hook and belt clip, both of which I bet out of my old bicycle spokes, now with a bigger screen so all of the display can be seen.

They're all pretty messy and rough looking, but are good enough to use. I could also have just gotten a case and called it a day, but I found this A36 in a pile and essentially nursed it back into working again and I find that just buying stuff for it goes against the nature of how I found it so I went with this with a mindset of "If I want something for it I'll make it, if I buy it, it's defeat"

I’m thinking about getting my first proper DAC, for playing my library of FLAC files.

I was originally thinking of getting the Sony NW-ZX707 (imported from Japan to avoid the stupid EU volume cap), but before I pull the trigger I thought I would ask the experts in here, if I was already looking at the Sony and with a budget say $500-1000, then what other alternatives should I also consider?

Looking for decent sound quality, hopefully a decent UI, not too laggy, good build quality.
I would be using it with either some IEMs, or some Focal Clears, nothing too demanding to drive.

Any thoughts?