Storage: 16 GB (Expandable to 2TB)Max Sampling Rate: 24-bit, 192kHzFile Types: MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, AAC, HE-AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, DSD, DSF, DFF, APE, MQAWhat We Like: Smooth operating system and clean, dynamic sound.What We Don't: Outdated data port, and we encountered some issues with album art. The inability to add music to bespoke playlists means your recycling through menus a lot, and while the P3 is a speedy player and is a pleasure to hold and use, in ways quickly. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. Storage: None (Exp. The first thing to note about DAPs is unquestioningly their stupendous audio detail - Audio with a capital A is the name of the game. Its the last one that gets it onto the list more than anything else. The price is one thing, and it may be a little bit too expensive for casual listeners. DAPs are tactile objects, and they live and die as much by their physical design as they do by their sound and interface. Since many first-time DAP users comment on the incredible transient detail and increased headroom and soundstage, we need to mention the internal components responsible for those. It helps that the SE200 has a huge range of features, and sounds terrific. Same as above but with an ending of the same size as a minijack (3.5mm) but a carrying a stereo digital audio (as found on some Mac computers). Storage: 3GB (Expandable to 512GB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/384kHzFile Types: FLAC, WMA, WAV, Apple, LOSSLESS, DSF, DSD, DSDIFFWhat We Like: Lightning-fast, sounds splendid.What We Don't: Still struggles with sensitive in-ears, very pricey. This, again, is a good place to mention that data stream transfer speeds are crucial for smooth and uninterrupted server playback - having a USB 3.0 (or later) connection on your DAP really makes streaming a breeze. Honestly, the ESS one struck us as overly sterile, and we steered clear of it. to 256GB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit, 384kHzFile Types: DXD, DSD, DFF, DSF, ISO, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, MP3, WMA, OGG, WV, TTA, DCFWhat We Like: The EQ options here are some of the best available.What We Don't: Poor interface with limited features, and the R2 only offers Bluetooth 3.0. The big draw is the fact that this is the first A&K player with two DACs, one for each channel, which theoretically result in cleaner, more direct sound. Phinistec 80GB HiFi MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Lossless DSD High Resolution Portable Digital Audio Music Player with Metal Body and Glass Back, Support up to 512GB, HIDIZS AP80 PRO Hi-Fi MP3 Player with Bluetooth, High Resolution Lossless Music Player with LDAC/aptX/FLAC/Hi-Res Audio/FM Radio, DSD Support Hi-Res Audio Player with Full Touch Screen (Blue), HIFI WALKER H2, High Resolution Bluetooth MP3 Player, DSD DAC, Portable Digital Audio Music Player with 32GB Memory Card, Support Up to 256GB, FiiO M11Plus Music Player Portable MP3/MP4 High Resolution Audio Player Android 10 Bluetooth5.0/atpX HD/LDAC/DSD Lossless Apple Music/Tidal/Amazon Music 4.4mm 1000hrs Standby Home/Car Audio/Speaker, Sponsored | Based on star rating and number of customer ratings, Surfans F20 HiFi MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Lossless DSD High Resolution Digital Audio Music Player, High-Res Portable Audio Player with 32GB Memory Card, Support up to 256GB, 64G MP3 Player with Bluetooth 5.2,Music Player with 2.4" Screen Voice Recorder HiFi Audio Player with Touch Button (Earphone,Sport Armband Included), 32GB MP3 Player with Bluetooth 5.0, AGPTEK A19X 2.4" Curved Screen Portable Music Player with Speaker Lossless Sound with FM Radio, Voice Recorder, Supports up to 128GB, Blue, S.M.S.L SD-9 MQA Full Decoding Bluetooth 4.0 HiFi Network Music Player SD9 Support DSD, WAV APE,FLAC AIFF, MP3 Desktop Player, Sony NW-ZX507/S Walkman Hi-Res 64GB MP3 Player, Silver, HiBy The New HiBy R6 Android Hi Res Audio MP3/MP4 Player MQA 16X 1080P Display Dual DAC MSEB Tuning 32750mW Bluetooth 5.0 UAT/LDAC/aptX HD Tidal/Spotify/Amazon Music Compatible 4.4mmBAL/LO Black, Denon DRA-800H 2-Channel Stereo Network Receiver for Home Theater | Hi-Fi Amplification | Connects to All Audio Sources | Latest HDCP 2.3 Processing with ARC Support | Compatible with Amazon Alexa, HiBy R3 Pro Saber Hi Res Music Player HiFi Lossless Audio Player mp3 Player with Bluetooth and WiFi/Tidal&Qobuz Streaming/Dual ES9218P Chips/2.5mm Balanced Output/Full Touch Screen (Black), Surfans F35 High Resolution Music Player, 4.0 inches HiFi Mp3 Player, Lossless DSD Hi Res Digital Audio Player with 32GB Memory Card, Support up to 512GB, MP3 Player with Bluetooth and WiFi, 4" Full Touch Screen MP4 MP3 Player with Spotify, Android Streaming Music Player with Pandora, Portable HiFi Sound Walkman Digital Audio Player with Speaker (Black), SWOFY Real Lossless HiFi MP3 Player, DSD High Resolution Digital Audio Music Player with Line Output, High-Res DAC Portable Super Light Audio Player with 64GB, Support up to 256GB Expand, Marantz ND8006 Low-Profile 4-in-1 Digital Media Player: CD Player, Music Streamer, DAC and Pre-amp | with Airplay 2, Bluetooth and HEOS | Amazon Alexa Compatibility, Sony Walkman NW-A105 Hi-Res 16GB MP3 Player, Black, PECSU 5-Inch MP3 Player with Bluetooth and WiFi, 32GB Portable Full Touch Screen Metal MP3 MP4 Audio Players, HiFi Sound Digital Music Player with Speaker and Dual 3.5mm Port, Support 1TB TF Card. The software contained on the Plenue R2 is able to fine tune the sound quality in ways that other DAPs cant even get close to, easily besting models like the more expensive Shanling M8. That, plus crystal clear sound and a decent operating system, make the PAW 6000 a winner. Just compare it to the slimmer (and lighter) FiiO M11. Phinistec 16GB HiFi MP3 Player with Bluetooth, Lossless DSD High Resolution Portable Digital Audio Music Player with Metal Body and Glass Back, Support up to 512GB, Discover iBasso Digital Audio Player Bluetooth. They certainly can play MP3s (or any other low-res / lossy file format), but their ability to play full resolution digital audio, and we mean way higher than CD-quality audio, is their special trick. Additional factors come into play - even if your DAP might recognise every audio file in existence, your computer might not, and you might need a dedicated hi-res audio media player installed on your computer. Sensitive in-ear headphones often suffer when coupled with inferior sources. We also truly dislike the 22 pin proprietary data port that Sony insists on using, as it means yet another cable to cart around with you. The high price here may turn off some people, but we still think the NW-ZX507 is one of the best DAPs around right now.See the Sony Walkman NW-ZX507. The biggest problem with the NW-ZX507 is that youre paying a lot for nostalgia. Its fun to have around, and we do like the easy-going sound that Sony are good at this sort of thing and we have yet to hear a product from them that misses the mark. Although standalone installation-grade DAPs exist (and we mean the big A/V receiver sized units), handheld DAPs dont just belong in your pocket. Given that those who listen to Spotify probably dont demand superhigh in sound, we think the best solution is a small, well-built DAP with Bluetooth like the Hiby R2. The 18-million-color screen is just superb, and the sheer number of options the player gives you easily beats models from HiBy and iBasso. This product is certified by Amazon to work with Alexa. But if all you are doing is listening to Spotify, and you want a simple device that will allow you to leave your phone in your pocket or backpack, then check out the R2.See the Hiby R2. A well-built operating system can make using a DAP a real pleasure, and if that sounds good to you, then you need to try the Sony NW-A55. For one thing, it offers great storage capacity. A jack that is smaller/thinner than regular headphone jack, featuring tip/ring/ring/sleeve ending, or a 4-point connection on its end. Here are some of the best ones of this year. Given that you are paying for the twin DACs, it makes the SE200 first choice only for those with sensitive IEMs.See the Astell&Kern A&futura SE200. Best Bluetooth and Wireless Speakers of 2021, WAV vs. FLAC vs. MP3: Audio File Formats Explained, Headphone Impedance And Sensitivity Explained, weve dedicated a separate explainer on these file formats below, a full explainer on audio file formats here, an explanation of which can be found here, LAC, AIFF, FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, APE (Multiple), DSD, DXD, MP3, OGG, WMA, WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQA, WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSD, MQA, MP3, WAV, APE, FLAC, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE, WMA, OGG, AAC, OPUS, AIFF, MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, AAC, HE-AAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, DSD, DSF, DFF, APE, MQA, MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, AAC, AIFF, AIF, DTS, DSD, DSF, DFF, APE, ISO, OGG, ALAC, MP2, M4A, AC3, DSD, DFF, DSF, ISO, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, ARC, MP3, WMA, M4A, OGG, DSF, DFF, ISO, DXD, APE, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, AIF, DTS, MP3, WMA, ACC, OGG, ALAC, MP2, M4A, AC3, M3U, M3U8, FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, OGG, ALAC, APE, AAC, AIFF, DFF, DFS, DXD, DSD, DFF, DSF, ISO, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, MP3, WMA, OGG, WV, TTA, DCF, MP3, WMA (NO DRM), AAC, OGG, WAV, FLAC, and Audible (DRM only). Storage: 2GB (Expandable to 4TB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/384kHzFile Types: ALAC, AIFF, FLAC, WAV, WMA Lossless, APE (Multiple), DSD, DXD, MP3, OGG, WMAWhat We Like: Stunning design and sound quality, terrific screen.What We Don't: Older version of Bluetooth, a little expensive. SOMETHING NEW IS COMING STAY UP TO DATE! If you're in the market for a budget DAP, we'd strongly recommend checking this one out. The sound quality in general is far better than other sub-$500 players like the Sony NW-A55, and it really does feel as if the P3 has been specifically built to extract the most information possible out of the DSD format. The case is very similar with hi-res PCM files - say of 24-bit/192kHz recordings. to 2TB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit, 384kHzFile Types: MP3, WMA, FLAC, WAV, AAC, AIFF, AIF, DTS, DSD, DSF, DFF, APE, ISO, OGG, ALAC, MP2, M4A, AC3What We Like: Excellent physical controls and screen.What We Don't: Operating system glitches, sound is a little too neutral. It offers a new amp stage, an overhauled output section, and an upgraded operating system. Audiophiles may sneer at it, but we think that, if youre on a budget, its worth looking at the iPod Touch. If you happen to have an overwhelmingly-large super hi-res audio library and the current maximum storage of your digital audio player is not sufficient, then the streaming capabilities of DAPs may be something worth looking at. It's damn good.See the Hidizs AP80. And if you'd like to match your new DAP with a great pair of cans, check out our list of the best high-end headphones and best in-ear monitors (IEMs). The cool part is that many DAPs can be expanded in a modular way to fit a particular setup. Its a simple and effective player that connects directly to your smartphone with Bluetooth 5.0, and will supercharge your Spotify experience. This would of course be an unit which features even higher resolution DACs. Given that this model costs almost double what the M11 does, and the M11 doesnt struggle with noise at all, thats a bit of a black mark. Fortunately, we're here to help, with our full guide to this audio topic. More importantly, we spend an awful lot of time thinking about how to improve it. The main proponents for audio clarity would be the internal DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) chipsets, combined with the noise/distortion-free headphone amplifiers capable of driving even the hungriest cans. There are some puzzling omissions, however. Weve got a full explainer on audio file formats here, but if youd like a brief explanation: DSD file playability has become a criteria for a DAP (and DAC)s quality - mainly for audiophiles with extremely high-resolution libraries. The NW-A55 not without its frustrations. It has some of the best physical controls of any DAP weve tested, with a single chunky, clickable, tactile button that doubles as a volume knob. Its definitely not something you have to use if you buy a DAP, but it sure is nice to have. Their last entry on this list was the PAW Gold Touch, a fantastic and fantastically expensive player that was out of reach for most people. Regardless of this issue, we had tremendous fun with this little beauty. The quality of playback of any digital audio player depends almost entirely on the quality of the DAC (Digital-to-Analogue Conversion) chipset. Even then, certain files might be limited to a certain bitrate. The problem is, the Hidizs AP80 beats the Q1 in several key areas. Youll also see them called high-res (high resolution) audio players, portable media players (PMP), and even multi-media players (MMP), though we need to point that the last one would be incorrect - DAPs dont dabble with video files. Its not all plain sailing. That being said, you should probably reconsider the AP80 if you have sensitive headphones or IEMs we picked up some noise in our testing that feels like a hangover from the AP60. While it might be good to have a range of output options there are four here we just dont think the sound quality is equal on all of them. We adore the sound, which is confident and precise, and we love the modified Android operating system that will be instantly familiar to anybody who has ever used a smartphone. to 2TB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit, 384kHzFile Types: DSD, DFF, DSF, ISO, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, APE, ARC, MP3, WMA, M4A, OGGWhat We Like: Huge battery life and crystal-clear sound quality.What We Don't: No internal memory and no streaming apps. Storage: 256GB (Exp. Well, thats why. A jack slightly larger than regular headphone jack, featuring tip/ring/ring/sleeve ending, or a 4-point connection on its end. However, there are a couple of downsides to the Shanling M8. Dont be surprised if the location audio for the next Star Wars flicks is captured on such or similar devices - the audio quality on offer is nothing short of staggering. Based on that, DAPs need a massive storage capacity. In short, the effect of using balanced connections is to provide a better signal-to-noise ratio. DSD stands for Direct Stream Digital, and is an audio protocol also known as 1-bit SACD bitstream - a file associated with Super Audio CDs. Storage: None (Exp. There is in fact a close relation. The model weve flagged here has 32GB of internal storage, although you can happily buy models with up to 256GB. Storage: None (Exp. This is really when balanced outputs can come handy and act as effective hum-destroyers, as we discussed in our breakdown of the 10 Most Common Home Theater Problems. If you are an Android smart device user, you will immediately feel at home with the majority of DAPs. FLAC, WAV, AIFF, DSD Theres no denying that picking the right type of audio to listen to can be crazy confusing. One of those may be made up. A simple DAC upgrade can do wonders for your audio playback, as for example, a 4K-capable TV might change your movie viewing experience. Luxury and Precision are relatively new in the crowded DAP landscape, and while we dont think they are going to be competing with the big dogs any time soon, theres a lot to recommend their models. But that doesnt change the fact that its an exemplary DAP nonetheless. These are regular USB connections which can link a DAP to an external DAC. This DAP does have its flaws. They are just about as simple as audio equipment gets. Sometimes, you need to take a step back, look at how youre listening to music, and improve it. It starts with file support and sample rates. One of the greatest pleasures we know is blocking out the world's distractions with good pair of headphones. Thats up to 4 different sockets on a single player, which looks ugly as hell. There is one feature that Cowon do better than almost anyone, and thats EQ. Youre seeing this ad based on the products relevance to your search query. Clearly, they should be treated as serious audio hubs. After all, it comes from a line of classics.See the Apple iPod Touch. The DAP market has become very competitive, and thankfully, many manufacturers have started to address this issue. Everything youre used to seeing in your smart phone. Whether you're using a portable Bluetooth speaker at the beach, or listening to music in the kitchen, you're virtually guaranteed solid sound quality and a great experience. Sometimes, you just need to break the bank. Shanling avoid that by having a single output socket with a set of interchangeable connectors, meaning you arent paying for outputs that you arent going to use. The HiBy R6 Pro is an upgrade on the original R6. But the other issue is that as good as the design is, the player is significantly larger than other models on this list. Even the digital ports play an important role, as they open possibilities for further expansion and sonic improvement. On the models we tried, which included the Campfire Audio Andromeda, there was some audible hiss barely, but still noticeable. An operating system is the software that lets you interact with your player, allowing you to play songs, skip tracks, connect to Bluetooth and the like, all through a dedicated interface. The Q1 also doesnt sound anywhere near as good as the AP80, with audio that we think is just a little too neutral and sterile. The ability to enjoy digital audio sampled at up to 384kHz in standard PCM wav formats, plus of course, the highest order DSD files, is all present and correct. Chief among these was the lack of playlist support. Apple has been designing digital audio players for close to 20 years, so theres no reason not to include the newest version of the iPod Touch. Even cheaper options from the likes of Sony and Hidizs have it beaten here, by quite some margin. The most common mini-jack connection as found on smartphones, laptops etc. We have never - and we mean never - come across a company as prolific as Astell&Kern. Balanced and unbalanced connections are often referred to as pro and semi-pro respectively. So why not take the jump? Depending on the size of the interface, different types of USB plugs may be present. While the Plenue R2 is a genuine revolution on the D2 model that came before it, with upgraded DACs and improved EQ, it struggles to compete against other DAPs here.See the Cowon Plenue R2. Firstly, let's compare price, storage, sample rate and wireless connections: Digital Audio Players (or DAPs) are a bit like MP3 playersbut to call them just that would be a massive understatement. The L&P P3, in particular, excels in DSDthe ultra-high-resolution audio format that usually requires a laptop and dedicated software to play. Unfortunately, the Plenue R2 has some real problems. Balanced connections found on portable audio equipment require the so called 4-point plugs TRRS jacks (Tip, Ring, Ring, Sleeve). The majority of digital audio players on the market currently use a micro USB port (2.0) which transfer data at roughly 35mb/s - which means that uploading a few favorite albums might take as long as brewing a pot of coffee and drinking it. Its easily better than the operating system on the otherwise brilliant FiiO M11, and it helps that the new amp section and DAC chip make it sound crisp and fresh. While the sound of the Hiby R2 is good, it pales in comparison to other DAPs here. We cant even tell you about its maximum file handling size Apple simply dont state it. A lot of additional kit is offered (by normally high-end manufacturers) - such as balanced-out kits, or specific headphone amps reserved for hungry headphones (we mean high-impedance units of course, an explanation of which can be found here.). Several DAPs can handle that file format, but few do it with as much pizzazz or style as the NW-ZX507 from Sony. Dozens of companies have sprung up, offering players that can deliver audio of a much higher quality than any iPod. In the month or so we spent with Astell & Kerns AK380 player, the most common question from those who saw it after a few minutes spent marvelling at its stunning good looks was the price point. Try that and youre in for a wild ride. Audio encoding keeps evolving and youll often see the term DSD Audio, which has of recent become the benchmark for high definition sound. Storage: 128GB (Expandable to 1TB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/384kHzFile Types: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG, APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF, MQAWhat We Like: Stellar design, excellent audio quality.What We Don't: The SA700 can get hot during playback, and it's very heavy. The NW-A55 sounds great, and the operating system is outstanding, but it has some issues worth bearing in mind.See the Sony NW-A55. If youre interested in sound quality, you may want to skip this one. Consider this the ultimate explainer. You have to connect to a laptop to download them in the first place, and even then, crashes and glitches are common. In our tests, we found that it was the quietest DAP around, even with earbuds but had a reputation for being overly sensitive, like those from Campfire Audio. The FiiO M11 isnt just a brilliant player, its one that comes hot on the heels of two equally brilliant players - the M7 and M9. If youre looking for something with better audio at around the same price, we recommend the Hidizs AP80, above. It frequently failed to display, even when we knew it was contained in the musics metadata. Things can go a lot further than that allowing audio professionals to turn their AK300-series DAP in a fully-equipped ultra high-end field audio recorder by adding A/D (analog to digital) conversion and support for external condenser microphones and recording. This is the player to go for if you want something that is transportable rather than portable: a desktop player that can be slipped into a bag if need be (its a little hefty to go in your pocket). Several years after its release, the SanDisk Sport remains a hugely popular MP3 player. It may not have the nostalgia factor, but it handles MQA almost as well. Not only are all of these handled natively (without the need of conversion) but each of them can be encoded at different bitrates. Storage: 64GB (Expandable to 1TB)Max Sampling Rate: 32-bit/384 kHzFile Types: FLAC, WAV, WMA, MP3, OGG, ALAC, APE, AAC, AIFF, DFF, DFSWhat We Like: Cool design, outstanding audio quality, Bluetooth 5.0.What We Don't: Streaming music is a pain in the backside. Either way, if, like us, you want to call them MP3 playerswe wont tell anyone.