Recommendations for a digital audio player

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Dat Ei,

Hidizs AP60-ii:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06ZXW3Z..._t3_B00N0DZ8F6

Bluetooth 4.0 with APT-X protocol, double-way lossless Bluetooth transmission allows easy enjoyment of music with low coding delay and high sound quality

Price = 109GBP!

Paul

[Dat Ei]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Hey Paul,

aptX and aptX HD are codecs / protocols for the wireless transmission of audio data over Blutooth. Beside an aptX or aptX HD capable DAP you need Blutooth headphones, which support the corresponding codec. That way you can achive CD Audio sound quality or above.

It is discussible if you need aptX for a high quality DAP with its high quality DACs, because in that scenario digital data will be transferred, so that the headphone and might be cheaper DACs will convert the digital data to an analog audio signal. If you use your DAP in loud enviroments (like car, train, bus, tram etc.) mostly, it is very likely that you can't tell a cheap Blutooth transfer from a aptX or aptX HD transfer.

Nevertheless - the wired transfer of analog audio signals from the high quality DAP will give you the best audio quality in most scenarios.


Dat Ei

[Dat Ei]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

aptX and aptX HD are the cherries on the cake. It is more important that the DAP has a high sound quality. Therefore you need high quality DACs and amplifiers.

Aside of that: if you like to have a gapless replay and the capability to use streaming services, you have to look very carefully at the specs. Otherwise you might get another Sony dilemma in disguise.


Dat Ei

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

aptX and aptX HD are the cherries on the cake. It is more important that the DAP has a high sound quality. Therefore you need high quality DACs and amplifiers.

Aside of that: if you like to have a gapless replay and the capability to use streaming services, you have to look very carefully at the specs. Otherwise you might get another Sony dilemma in disguise.

Dat Ei,

Thanks a lot.

Well, I have been looking at these two DAPs as you know:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B072C4YP...A2O129639FFC8U

https://www.head-fi.org/showcase/hid....22887/reviews

and,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06ZXW3Z..._t3_B00N0DZ8F6

https://headfonics.com/2018/03/hidizs-ap60-ii-review/

I don't think either of them have that stupid EU Law volume-capping (Sony palaver!) as they come from the Far East.

I will need to look at the 'aptX' specs because, as you kindly mention (thanks) one needs a compatible pairs of phones!

Incidentally, here are the two sets of phones I am considering. It has taken me two weeks to narrow my choices:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...KL5A1OLE&psc=1

and,

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...KL5A1OLE&psc=1

It may well be the case that neither have 'aptX' as it it not something I have looked for before.

Cheers.

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Hey Paul,

aptX and aptX HD are codecs / protocols for the wireless transmission of audio data over Blutooth. Beside an aptX or aptX HD capable DAP you need Blutooth headphones, which support the corresponding codec. That way you can achive CD Audio sound quality or above.

Nevertheless - the wired transfer of analog audio signals from the high quality DAP will give you the best audio quality in most scenarios.

Hi Dat Ei,

I have emailed both of the DAP companies to see if they have a Customer Service phone number. I think, though, that they are based in Hong Kong. This is also where they are being sold from on the likes of eBay.

Yes, 'wired' connection is always best! I would consider purchasing a better quality cable if the one included in the box appeared to be inferior.

Paul

[Dat Ei]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

I don't know those two DAPs. Look carefully if they support tags, album art and gapless in the right way, before you'll be disappointed.

I prefer in ears over conventional headphones cause I use my iPod in public transports on my journey to work or my second seat of residence only. Nevertheless - I'm not a fan of Bose or B&O. That are things for my dentist's waiting room.


Dat Ei

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

I don't know those two DAPs. Look carefully if they support tags, album art and gapless in the right way, before you'll be disappointed.

I prefer in ears over conventional headphones cause I use my iPod in public transports on my journey to work or my second seat of residence only. Nevertheless - I'm not a fan of Bose or B&O. That are things for my dentist's waiting room.

Dat Ei,

OK, cheers for looking.

Album art and gapless are essential (to me). I did not see any neg. comments about Artist/Album tags; though I could be wrong (hence I have emailed both companies).

A discussion on preferences of headphones would probably last until infinity! The permutations of preferences are so vast, and subjective. I must have tested over 30 pairs of phones in shops over the past couple of weeks, possibly more! As I say, I have had to make radical compromises to my options as the Sennheiser design (of the 1980s and 90s) are no longer available ny anyone.

Paul

[Dat Ei]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

I did not see any neg. comments about Artist/Album tags; though I could be wrong (hence I have emailed both companies).

Please don't forget that we users of dBpa care a lot about tags, but that isn't representative for Joe Public. The implementations I've seen so far in DAPs were very rudimental. So I would like to have a DAP with an Android OS, on which I can install the music player app of my choice, just to overcome the shortcomings of the DAP's player software.

What Sennheiser design of the 80s/90s are you talking about, that is no longer available? What is so special about that design?


Dat Ei

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Please don't forget that we users of dBpa care a lot about tags, but that isn't representative for Joe Public. The implementations I've seen so far in DAPs were very rudimental. So I would like to have a DAP with an Android OS, on which I can install the music player app of my choice, just to overcome the shortcomings of the DAP's player software.

What Sennheiser design of the 80s/90s are you talking about, that is no longer available? What is so special about that design?

Dat Ei,

I owned the Sennheiser 'HD-440 ii' phones. I think I bought them in 1992 for around 60GBP. I remember thinking: "gee, that's a serious amount of money to pay for a set of phones!." These were so light (weight/pressure) on your ears in such a way that words can not describe. I never met one person in 25 years who did not instantly fall in love with them. The headband was ultra comfortable also. You could listen for 4 hours straight without any fatigue. The lead and each ear-piece were detachable so you could easily replace individual parts (I kept mine going for the last 5 years like this). As for their 'sound', well they were simply knockout. I can honestly say that I feel so upset when I think back to them! I would happily pay £200 for a new pair again.

This may be a stupid question I know!, but: when you say you would prefer your next DAP to be an Android OS, then you must mean that it is going to be a player within a mobile phone? In other words, even though some players must connect to the internet because you are able to update the s/w (firmware?), if the DAP is not a mobile phone (like the 2 I linked earlier), then it will not have any OS on it? So, it will only have OS or iOS if it is a mobile phone (or iPad, or similar) rather than a pure dedicated DAP?

Hope that makes some sense!

Paul

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Hi,

Do you think I should start a new thread dedicated to 'headphones', please? I have some product specs (relating to previously mentioned models) which I would like to clarify with members on here. And of course I don't want to take this particular thread on a winding detour.

Cheers.

[Oggy]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Dat Ei,!

This may be a stupid question I know!, but: when you say you would prefer your next DAP to be an Android OS, then you must mean that it is going to be a player within a mobile phone? In other words, even though some players must connect to the internet because you are able to update the s/w (firmware?), if the DAP is not a mobile phone (like the 2 I linked earlier), then it will not have any OS on it? So, it will only have OS or iOS if it is a mobile phone (or iPad, or similar) rather than a pure dedicated DAP?

Paul

Hi Paul,

Some dedicated DAPs have their own integrated app and Android, so you have the option of loading player software of your choice.

Many players do not handle the Album Artist tag for example, so this would limit it's appeal to some. By also having Android, another app, such as foobar can be downloaded, giving the Album Artist support.

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Some dedicated DAPs have their own integrated app and Android, so you have the option of loading player software of your choice.

Many players do not handle the Album Artist tag for example, so this would limit it's appeal to some. By also having Android, another app, such as foobar can be downloaded, giving the Album Artist support.

Thanks very much for explaining that Oggy. I understand you now. Cheers.

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Hi,

The old Sony NW-A35, had volume-capping on. I have been looking into the new NW-A45 model. It still has volume-capping here in the UK/EU. However, if you buy it from Japan then it does not. It costs £175 with free shipping:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/113109878854?ul_noapp=true

I have spoken to eBay and also emailed the seller; now waiting for a reply. If one is not happy with the device, then eBay said I can return it within 30 days for a full refund, and either eBay or the seller will cover shipping.

I am not sure if one would be liable for any Import Tax Duty though?

A guy in the US told me that he purchased his from Japan. The volume goes up to '120'. It is loud at '90'. The old EU model I had only went up to '80'!

Paul

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Hi,

Gave up on eBay stores ever replying!

Ordered new Sony Walkman yesterday from Amazon US. Got special discounts due to it being 'Amazon Prime Members Day' (thanks for reminding me Gary!). Should be arriving 1st week in August...

Paul

[monsterjazzlick]

Re: Recommendations for a digital audio player

Hi,

To replace my broken Sennheisers, I have ordered these phones:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...A3P5ROKL5A1OLE

albeit from Argos (a store I totally detest, but because Sony has now discontinued this model, they are hard to find elsewhere). I ordered online and received a £10 discount!

Paul