We’ve done the digging, so you don’t have to. The best DAPs: Reviews & RecommendationsĮven with those considerations in mind, settling on the best portable player can be confusing without doing lots of research-which is exactly what we’re here for. Finally, I relied on my own first-hand experience, as well as the pedigree of the brands producing each DAP. This refined the list because what looks good on paper doesn’t necessarily translate into a great product. I then compared those early choices with real user impressions on audio enthusiast sites like Head-Fi and r/headphones, smaller communities like Facebook’s ChiFi Audio Reviews, and retailers like Amazon. I began with an eye toward features and components: the on-paper specs that made certain options stand out from others. I’ve learned and experienced far more than I ever expected to, but the depths of my audio geekery allowed me to develop a discerning eye to sort the stupendous from the snake oil.įor this article, I researched the major digital audio players released over the last several years. I’ve been lucky enough to test dozens of different headphones, earbuds, and devices that drive them. As an apartment dweller until 2019, I was limited to in-ear monitors and headphones, so I skipped right over loudspeakers and dove deep into personal audio equipment. Over my years working in tech journalism, I’ve developed a passion for great sound. Best high-end: Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP2000T.We’ve collected top-tier options, whether you’re looking for a dedicated player on a budget, a player that caters to a particular streaming service, or just want the best DAPs money can buy. However, they all strive to deliver the highest sound quality, exceeding what you could hope for from a smartphone and headphone adapter. If you’re on the hunt for an aural upgrade, we’re here to help. They can also range widely in cost, some focusing on accessible budget pricing and others taking the form of genuine luxury items. Others come with operating systems (most often Android-based) and support streaming services like Spotify or TIDAL. Some portable music players do this with audio files you need to load yourself. These standalone devices have a sole purpose: playing music. If you’re looking for that old-school iPod Touch experience given fresh life with the latest high-resolution technology, there’s only one way to go: tap the best DAPs. It doesn’t matter if you have access to lossless audio if you’re just going to degrade it using Bluetooth. With the headphone jack’s death, getting an optimized on-the-go listening experience isn’t as easy as it used to be. Learn more ›Īsk any audiophile, and they’ll tell you the same thing: premium sound quality still comes from wired headphones-and if you want to get the most out of your investment while out and about, you should look into DAPs, a.k.a. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
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