Luke_ Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Bengineer said: iBasso? Cayin? Definitely open to suggestions. Any particular models? Had a quick google, looks like ebay would be my best option for purchase? Couldn't see an official retailer. Also, I'm 5hrs from Sydney, so not easy to get to a physical store to demo(unfortunately)
Bengineer Posted April 23, 2022 Author Posted April 23, 2022 A1FutureShop sell some Addicted to Audio Minidisc I liked the iBasso DX300. The Cayin N6ii is well regarded but can be $$. The Fiio is feature rich stuff and sharply priced. Depends what sound you're after and quality of headphones connected etc
Luke_ Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 Only ibasso I can see through an aus retailer is the dx240. Although, there is a used dx220 Max on Gumtree atm. For $1800.... Still haven't complety settled on a taste. I think it's dependent on the tracks I'm listening to at the time. As for quality of headphones, nothing special at the moment but I would like a player that can handle any possible twist or turn in future taste development. Cheers for the helpful comments so far. It's very appreciated.
figjam Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 15 hours ago, Luke_ said: Hi all. Have been looking at DAPs lately, and trying to work out whether to spend massive, cheap or somewhere between? Don't stream music, still purchase stuff I like. Looking for something that will start me off, and can hopefully stick with me through the heaphone/IEM journey. The options I'm checking out so far are: Fiio m11 $400 (used) A&K sa700 $999 (on special new) Fiio m11 plus $1059 Fiio m17 +stand $1800 (used) A&K se200 $1950 (used) This would be the start of my high end portable audio. Any help appreciated. Addicted to Audio have a very good price on a A&K SE180/Focal Clear bundle at the moment if you your budget will stretch to it: https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/astell-kern-a-futura-se180-digital-audio-player-focal-clear-open-back-headphones-bundle 1
Luke_ Posted April 23, 2022 Posted April 23, 2022 1 hour ago, figjam said: Addicted to Audio have a very good price on a A&K SE180/Focal Clear bundle at the moment if you your budget will stretch to it: https://addictedtoaudio.com.au/products/astell-kern-a-futura-se180-digital-audio-player-focal-clear-open-back-headphones-bundle Cheers for that. That is a damn good price for both. I'll try and watch some se180 and clear reviews and see if they're what I'm after. But, I think they would both be a great starting to my journey. Other than that, I was leaning towards the used m11. For $400, I figured it wouldn't be too big a loss if I wanted to upgrade later.
Jovan.s1987 Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 If you don't need streaming, stay clear of Android based operating system DAP's. I'd highly suggest a Sony NW-A55 which you can purchase from Minidisc. Comes with 16GB, but you can insert an SD card for additional space. https://www.minidisc.com.au/sony-nw-a55-digital-audio-player-16gb-black?length_vs=328&gclid=CjwKCAjwx46TBhBhEiwArA_DjLzQCwuBBeh8X3lQ2KHpS4HlBCOHsskU4JLsfBC-xfmoMcPyVhSD3RoC2FoQAvD_BwE
Luke_ Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 Thanks. Don't need streaming. But, have sene some(obviously not all) Sony's with horrid battery life. Kind of worried me.
aussievintage Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 11 minutes ago, Luke_ said: Thanks. Don't need streaming. But, have sene some(obviously not all) Sony's with horrid battery life. Kind of worried me. I won't touch Sony ever again. Burnt too many times. I would also challenge the generic advice to avoid Android. Also, I have liked the Fiio Dacs I bought to use with my phone. Maybe worth looking at their players.
Luke_ Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 1 hour ago, aussievintage said: I won't touch Sony ever again. Burnt too many times. I would also challenge the generic advice to avoid Android. Also, I have liked the Fiio Dacs I bought to use with my phone. Maybe worth looking at their players. Thanks for the feedback. It was this kind of talk which excluded sony earlier on. Definitely hadn't discounted Android. So far, narrowing the field a little. The ibasso dx300 sounds nice, but can't find for sale in aus. For the price of a used unit, can get the A&K deal above basically paying the same for a new se180, plus getting a deal on the focal clears. Or, still eyeing off the m17(used) as I don't have a desktop amp, dac or anything really. Can be used as a "portable" player in a pinch. Still researching. But, still gery much appreciate all of the suggestions and feedback so far.
deafenears Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 2 hours ago, aussievintage said: I won't touch Sony ever again. Burnt too many times. Something like this? On 26/11/2021 at 1:19 PM, Mightygrey said: My Plenue R2 caught on fire yesterday.
Luke_ Posted April 24, 2022 Posted April 24, 2022 As soon as I saw that pick, that one was off the list too.....
Jovan.s1987 Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 (edited) 17 hours ago, Luke_ said: Thanks. Don't need streaming. But, have sene some(obviously not all) Sony's with horrid battery life. Kind of worried me. The reason for avoiding an Android based OS in this case, with not needing streaming, is you'll get much better battery life. I get 40+ hours of playback before charging with this unit. Otherwise, something in the Cowon line. I've owned a Plenue D in the past which was excellent as well. Edited April 25, 2022 by Jovan.s1987
RePete Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 I use the A&K Kann Alpha and here are my thoughts pros battery life is excellent sound is great powerful enough to drive cans for portable use or run line out to amp cons slow startup small screen touch screen is sometimes a little laggy it is a quite expensive option when phone to dac works fine with better user interface but my phone always needed charging when I wanted to listen to music so hang the expense
aussievintage Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 13 minutes ago, Bengineer said: Phone into a iFi hipdac or so? A phone into a dac is a very attractive option, in fact, it is what I use, or else, phone straight to bluetooth IEMs or headphones. Things have matured so much that you don't gain much/anything with a dedicated player, except maybe the dac, so adding a dac to a phone brings the playing field level. I think having a choice of which library and playing software is also a big plus. You are not stuck with only one. Battery life is important to me, and even more so, not having yet another thing to keep charged. I have to charge my phone anyway, so that effectively eliminate battery worries for my "dap". I mentioned bluetooth, because the newer audio protocols are very very capable. I am quite happy with the sound I get into bluetooth IEMs and headphones. 1
Nada Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 28 minutes ago, aussievintage said: having a choice of which library and playing software is also a big plus. Smart. Can you suggest any apps for FLAC files over a phone USB to DAC?
aussievintage Posted April 25, 2022 Posted April 25, 2022 22 minutes ago, Nada said: Smart. Can you suggest any apps for FLAC files over a phone USB to DAC? I have liked Poweramp, Omni, and Neutron players. 1
damz87 Posted May 6, 2022 Posted May 6, 2022 On 24/4/2022 at 7:27 PM, Luke_ said: Thanks for the feedback. It was this kind of talk which excluded sony earlier on. Definitely hadn't discounted Android. So far, narrowing the field a little. The ibasso dx300 sounds nice, but can't find for sale in aus. For the price of a used unit, can get the A&K deal above basically paying the same for a new se180, plus getting a deal on the focal clears. Or, still eyeing off the m17(used) as I don't have a desktop amp, dac or anything really. Can be used as a "portable" player in a pinch. Still researching. But, still gery much appreciate all of the suggestions and feedback so far. The FiiO M17 is a really good DAP. It has great sound, excellent android performance, loads of power and it’s extremely versatile in terms of connectivity/ports.
damz87 Posted May 16, 2022 Posted May 16, 2022 Hi guys, I’m running a Fir Audio Frontier Series IEM tour over on headfi with the help of Minidisc, so if anyone is interested in hearing the Neon 4, Krypton 5 And/or Xenon 6, please feel free to get in touch and I can get you on board :) Not sure if it’s against the rules to mention something from headfi on Stereonet, so apologies in advance admins and please delete if so. Cheers 2
Yetiman Posted May 17, 2022 Posted May 17, 2022 Thanx Ben, Think I'll pass I don't have the time and I Love my 64-Trio's with the Kann-Cube there more than enough quality-sound for me.. But I'll check the headfi post out.. 1
eLicky Posted June 21, 2022 Posted June 21, 2022 I don't know if you guys have heard of Aurealis Audio cables, (I'd never heard of them before) Australian based and have a new lineup for "Owl IEM Cables", there's 3 in the lineup. Over my morning coffee I'm very susceptible to impulse purchasing, I thought why not, its priced well and I do need that new cable for my Tralucent IEMs. I ordered the Copper / Silver Plated Copper mix "Halo" I don't have it yet, will report back with thoughts.
Bengineer Posted June 21, 2022 Author Posted June 21, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, eLicky said: I don't know if you guys have heard of Aurealis Audio cables, (I'd never heard of them before) Australian based and have a new lineup for "Owl IEM Cables", there's 3 in the lineup. Over my morning coffee I'm very susceptible to impulse purchasing, I thought why not, its priced well and I do need that new cable for my Tralucent IEMs. I ordered the Copper / Silver Plated Copper mix "Halo" I don't have it yet, will report back with thoughts. Yeah. Geoff. nice guy, lives near me. Makes nice interconnects. Think he has a partner in Singapore that makes the braided exposed wire look ones (unsure if still the case). Should be a nice cable mate. Edited June 21, 2022 by Bengineer 1
eLicky Posted June 23, 2022 Posted June 23, 2022 Ok, The product arrived inside a nice box, the cable inside a zipper case with the owl logo on it, they really care about the product experience. The cable itself is well-made and sounds clean. transparent, but the IEM I Intended using it with is also lean/bright, the cable/IEM combined make the presentation too bright for me. BUT, if you had an IEM with a warmer signature and wanted to lean them out a little the Halo cable would be perfect. I'm in two minds whether to sell it or hold into it and buy a used IEM down the road to try again
eLicky Posted July 8, 2022 Posted July 8, 2022 After purchasing the hybrid silver plated copper / copper cable and having tonality concerns Geoff, the owner of Aurealis Audio reached out to me via email and offered me to try their pure copper cable instead (ROKA from the same Owl Series) I'm really glad I did, this cable is perfect in tonality with my Tralucent 1Plus2 IEMs, has a dark background and remains smooth yet detailed at low / high volumes, super impressed this time round. The stock cables Tralucent IEMs come with aren't cheap, around $600 USD going back a few years, when I compare I think This Owl series cable is actually better, and it was under $200. Here's pics, I can recommend the cables quite easily. Here's some better pics of the hybird model I orginally ordered. (HALO)
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