The Shanling M8 has been announced, and it looks to be a very impressive portable audio solution. With all of the latest specs and packed with features, the Shanling M8 is definitely a DAP to look out for.
The M8 adopts a brand new system of interchangeable headphone sockets, developed by Shanling themselves. This system makes it possible to provide all the needed connection standards, while keeping cleaner looks and a better optimized internal design. Four different options are available and come supplied with the M8 – 2.5, 3.5, 4.4 and 3.5 pro.
With a massive 7000 mAh battery, the M8 can manage up to 14 hours of continuous playback once fully charged. The M8 also comes with a bigger, brighter and sharper screen than their previous models – for an even better user experience in all conditions.
The analogue circuit of the Shanling M8 was designed around a pair of high-performing AKM flagship DACs, with in house developed I/V conversion stage and fully balanced amplifier. Offering reference class performance, while keeping to Shanling’s smooth, pleasing and slightly warm sound.
Qualcomm’s Bluetooth 5.0 chipset assures stable connection and low latency. And the best sound quality is achieved thanks to the support of advanced Bluetooth Codecs.
Our pick of the 8 Best Digital Audio Players for all budgets and uses:
We know how important it is to find the right player; whether it is for your mp3 collection, hi-res music or streaming apps such as Tidal or Spotify.
Whether you call them DAPs, players, music players, portable players, mp3 players or anything else, this is the post for you. We’ve gathered our picks for the best digital audio players that you can buy!
BEST DAP UNDER £100
1. Shanling M0 – £99
Shanling M0
If you fancy getting better sound on the move, but don’t want to add a large device to your setup – the Shanling M0 could be just what you’re looking for. This tiny player delivers top quality Hi-Res audio and can be used in two different ways. The SD card slot allows you to store your own library of tunes, from mp3 to DSD – it can handle it all. The M0 can also act as a Bluetooth amp and DAC for your headphones. So, if you prefer using Spotify or Tidal on your phone, then wirelessly connect to the M0 to boost the audio quality while using an interface you are comfortable with.
Shanling’s impressive M2x is our choice for under £200. The impressive build quality and easy to use software makes the M2x an enjoyable experience. Sound quality is well balanced and clean, with superb detail retrieval. Then the addition of Tidal streaming via the app, opens up the listening possibilities.
The Cowon Plenue D2 may seem simple to look at, this is certainly not the case though. Cowon are very well known and admired for the sound quality of their players. Bringing life and energy to music, as well as impressive customisation with their well developed EQs. The Plenue D2 is solid and very easy to use, with impressive battery life giving up to 30 hours of HD audio playback.
A new addition to the iBasso family, the DX160 sports an updated design to previous models and the addition of a 4.4mm balanced headphone output. The large touch screen is very clear, with vibrant colours and responsive touch control. As for sound, the DX160 provides a well balanced and organic sound with an emotional quality to it.
5. FiiO M11 – £449.99
FiiO M11
FiiO have really upped their game with the release of the M11. The impressively designed and built player houses some impressive technology. Dual AKM DAC chips and their custom made op-amp helps make the most of the aptX HD, LDAC and LHDC compatibility. Then the flexible headphone connectivity brings 2.5, 4.4 and 3.5mm ports to accommodate all popular jack sizes.
Shanling has long flexed its muscles in the portable audio player scene, and M6, the latest digital audio player offering takes its place at the top of Shanling’s Hi-Res audio player line-up. M6 is the first Shanling audio player to run Android OS and is armed with Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Wireless Audio certification taking your audio to the next level.
We feel that the iBasso DX220 hits the ultimate price and performance point in the higher end of the digital audio player market. The DX220 is superbly built, with solid software and an easy to use design. The dual Sabre DAC chips help to achieve a clean and neutral sound, and the replaceable amp modules provide a level of customisation that is not common at this level.
Astell & Kern were not sure whether it was possible to come up with a product that is different from the SP1000 while delivering the same sound quality, but they decided to take up the challenge so that more people could experience their products’ fidelity. There were many trials and tribulations in making the SP1000, A&K’s best product, smaller. They were determined to not compromise sound quality in the process, and ultimately developed the second A&ultima product, the SP1000M.
Perfect for those travelers looking to get the best audio while on the move. The iFi Audio xCAN can wirelessly connect to your audio device via Bluetooth, whether you listen to music on your phone, laptop or tablet. The xCAN adds iFi Audio’s high quality amplifier expertise to your setup, able to power some of the more difficult to drive cans with no extra wires. Just plug your favourite earphones or headphones into the xCAN to get the very best out of them.
SoundMAGIC E11BT Wireless In Ear Isolating Earphones
Widely considered to be this year’s best wireless earphones for under £100, the SoundMAGIC E11BTbrings years of budget perfection to a Bluetooth neckband design. We’re certain that the E11BT delivers the best sound quality at this price point, with top features like Bluetooth v5.0 technology, AAC audio compatibility and IPX4 water resistance. Then to top it all off, the E11BT has the most impressive battery life going. We’ve experienced over 30 hours of continuous playback from one full charge, which should cover most of your travel needs there and back.
Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless Full Size Noise Cancelling Headphones
B&W’s PX Bluetooth headphone is still our favourite sounding wireless noise canceler out there. The classic design is tasteful and attractive, showing off the B&W heritage with a modern edge. The earpads are soft and comfortable. They fully enclose the ears and isolation is impressive, blocking out a lot of background noise passively. Then, when you need complete silence, the built-in noise cancelling does wonders. When used with the dedicated app, the PX can be customised to suit most environments. They do it all!
Shanling M0 Portable Wireless Hi Res Audio Player
If you fancy getting better sound on the move, but don’t want to add a large device to your setup, the Shanling M0 could be just what you’re looking for. This tiny player delivers top quality Hi-Res audio and can be used in two different ways. The SD card slot allows you to store your own library of tunes, from MP3 to DSD. It can handle it all. The M0 can also act as a Bluetooth amp and DAC for your headphones. So, if you prefer using Spotify or Tidal on your phone, then wirelessly connect to the M0 to boost the audio quality while using an interface you are comfortable with.
Sennheiser Momentum TW True Wireless In Ear Isolating Earphones
For those that value design and build quality along with great sound, then the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless earphones are worth checking out. Relatively expensive for a true wireless earphone, considering there are plenty of cheaper options available, we believe that the Momentum True Wireless is worth the money. From the supplied charging case, with its fabric outer coating, to the earphones themselves: attractive, stylish and extremely comfortable. Sennheiser have put a lot of work into their True Wireless flagship, and it has truly paid off.
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The new M5s from Shanling has all the features you could need, yet it doesn’t cut corners when it comes to the sound quality.
Aesthetics, Build Quality and UI:
The M5s is a sleek looking DAP with well thought out placement of buttons and ports. The front panel is mainly filled by the touch screen; however, the screen doesn’t fill the whole panel, there is a space at the bottom that is blank. The rear panel is glass, the right-hand side has the volume knob/power button on it and the left side has playback controls and the microSD card slot. On the bottom you have the 3.5mm single-ended headphone out, 2.5mm TRRS balanced headphone output and the USB-C connector.
The overall build quality is excellent, but with all that glass I would advise you get a case and possibly a screen protector for the front. The main chassis is made out of aluminium, the buttons and sockets all feel sturdy and it has a reassuring weight to it.
The M5s uses Shanling’s own MTouch firmware which is super intuitive and easy to use. It is based around swiping certain directions to go back and forth between menus, you can customise the home screen and overall it is bug free and smooth in use. There are plenty of sound tuning options, digital filter/EQ/Gain etc… When you dig deep into the settings you can really set it up to how you want it to work, but even out of the box it is really easy to get used to. The now playing screen shows the album art along with the track title and artist, if you want to see the bit rate and other info you can click on the album art and scroll across to the detailed info. Overall the MTouch firmware is sleek, fast and easy to use.
Features:
The M5s has Bluetooth, with which is can be used as a transmitter or receiver, it supports LDAC/AptX/AAC. You can use it as a USB DAC, you can use the USB-C as USB Audio out into an external DAC making the M5s a transport only.
There is WiFi for DLNA, Airplay & OTA update for now, with more features possibly coming in the near future.
16 hours playback in single ended, 9 hours balanced is pretty good for a player of this calibre and price. There are a few more settings and features when you dig into the player, but the above should give you a brief overview of some of the key features.
Sound:
The M5s upon first listen sounds like any good DAP should, clean and detailed without any obvious colouration going on. When you spend a little more time with it you begin the discover that it has a hint of warmth to it with a fairly easy to listen to sound signature. The M5s is a really easy DAP to get on with during day to day life, it just kind of does its thing in a very easy and effortless way. There is no noticeable roll off, there is also no real colouration anywhere even if it does err slightly on the smoother side over a more analytical sound signature. There is no loss of detail, soundstaging and separation are excellent and the main thing that comes to mind is just natural. The M5s sounds natural, not strained, not trying to throw every little detail at you. It wants you to forget about it and listen to the music.
Power wise the M5s is really impressive, it has a pitch-black background with sensitive IEM’s and the low output impedance means it plays well with multi BA setups, yet the high gain setting means you will get enough volume and most likely power for all but the most demanding of headphones.
Conclusion:
The M5s is a great DAP for the price, packing tons of features into a solid and aesthetically pleasing device. The UI is snappy and responsive, the sound quality is neutral and balanced without being too analytical.
Years ago when recorded music on vinyl was first available, music fans would dress up as if going to a concert in order to listen. It seems daft now, but with their limited frame of reference and their respect for musicianship, we can understand.
And the same has happened many times since; with developments in technology over the past century or so, our relationship with music changes again and again. The development of such things as amplification in the 1920s, magnetic tape, and the famous Sony Walkman all affected our lives in one way or another. It brought more options when listening, and it brought more lifelike and better-recorded music to us. So much so, that we can now take it for granted to the point of listening to our musical heroes in our underpants.
Apple created its own musical revolution years ago with the iPod; although these little players tended to cost big bucks, it was another Walkman-like effect on how we consume music with the iPod’s (then) huge capacity of 20 or 40 gigabytes. Since then we’ve had micro SD cards which increase capacity, but the lasting perception since the iPod is that decent mobile audio is expensive. Step forward, Shanling!
The M0 achieves the mobile audio holy trinity; it’s small, can accept Micro SD cards of up to 512Gb, and costs only £99. Added to that, the M0 has features such as Bluetooth Hi-Res transmission, a touch screen and build quality you can bang nails in with.
Don’t believe us? Give the M0 a try and if your relationship with music doesn’t change within 30 days, we’ll give your money back!
The Shanling M2s is a highly capable, small footprint, high resolution DAP that is feature packed and has superb sonic abilities, do not look further for a sub £200 player.
Pros:
Excellent value for money
Feature packed
Power
Cons:
4.8 Ohm output impedance
Aesthetics, Accessories and User Interface
The Shanling M2s is a great looking player, it is small, sleek and easily slips into your pocket. The front is glass, the edges are aluminium and the back is plastic, you have a volume wheel on the side, a back button underneath. On the other side you have playback buttons (skip track and play/pause) and the MicroSD card slot, on the bottom you have the USB C port for charging and also file transfer, and the headphone jack next to it. The power button on the top also works to unlock the screen, overall the look and feel of this player is excellent.
The M2s comes with a USB cable, Card ready and 4 screen protectors, all you need is a microSD card with music on. Available separately is a leather case, and you can also purchase extra screen protectors.
The user interface is easy to get around, you have plenty of settings and then when in your music you can either browse by Artist, Album, Genre, Playlist, Favourites or display all tracks. The wheel acts as the scrolling mechanism, and click inwards on the wheel to select. The playing screen displays the album artwork, with the format below and the track name and artist.
This player has some added functions, you can set the headphone out as a line-out for use with a hifi system for example, or portable amp. And also it can be used as an external USB DAC for your computer.
The USB C port can feed a digital signal to an external DAC too, it has high and low gain settings, EQ, Bluetooth (AptX) and more. All this for under £200, but none of that matters if it doesn’t sound good.
The Shanling M2s does not disappoint in the sound department, you would have thought with all those features they may have forgotten about the sound. But they have not, the M2s comes across as a very clean and balanced player, with plenty of power and authority. There is no part of the sound that stands out in particular, it just gets out of the way and lets you enjoy your music.
From sensitive in-ear monitors, to full size headphones, this player can handle most easy to medium hard to drive headphones with ease.
Ok so what’s the catch? Well more expensive players do have the upper hand in build quality and features most of the time (This has lots, but no balanced output). But also high end players are more resolving of the finer detail in music.
Now for on the go use, the extra detail from high end players is not needed, and the M2s is truly excellent for the price, it is balanced with maybe a hint of warmth to the sound, never fatiguing but also not altering the sound of your headphones to a huge extent. It has good dynamics, but a slightly limited soundstage, this is nitpicking however.
Conclusion
The M2s is a perfect partner for your daily commute, or exercise routine, it is also the perfect transport for the audiophiles out there. Hook it up to an external DAC and you have an excellent rig. But on it’s own it really doesn’t disappoint with a clear, balanced if not slightly smooth sound that works with all sorts of headphones.
Audio-OPUS #1 High Resolution Portable Audio Player – Review
Intro
Korean tech company ‘thebit’ (The Best Internet Technology) has started high in its naming of the OPUS#1 player, making us think of sublime classical compositions and other arty treats; but does the OPUS#1 hit the right notes?
Design and appearance
The OPUS#1 has a slightly angular and bevelled look which is reminiscent of Astell&Kern’s recent efforts, but with a slightly softened feel in comparison. It’s a pattern which is reflected in the sound of the player when compared to A&K but more on that later. The touchscreen is very responsive and easy to operate, with a good choice of navigation methods available with the player software. We can navigate by song, album, artist, genre, favorites and also by folder, which should keep everyone happy.
With a firmware update (1.10.15 at this time) the player remembers the track which was last listened to, if the track was paused and the player allowed to enter ‘hibernation mode’. Upon reawakening the player, the music resumes from where it was paused.
The OPUS 1 case is made using enhanced ABS and tempered glass, similar to many of the newer Smartphone’s on the market, the tempered glass covers almost all of the front and back of the player, giving the player OPUS#1 a premium feel, while the ABS shell reduces the overall weight of the player.
Key Features
Slots for two MicroSD cards (currently up to a capacity of 200Gb each) together with the on-board storage of 32Gb make the Opus#1 a heavyweight in terms of capacity, and the clear screen and intuitive navigation make it a breeze to find what we wish to listen to.
The sound can be moulded to the tastes of the user by way of the EQ feature in the player; there are three user EQ settings which can be stored, there is a delay of 3 or 4 seconds between selecting EQ settings and hearing any changes come through in the sound, why I am not sure, but in a strange way it gives you a chance to here how the EQ has changed the sound, but it is an unusual delay that may frustrate you for a few seconds.
The Opus#1 can handle all popular formats up to 24bit/192KHz and also DSD so we can take advantage of all that storage capacity with high quality files! Also the optical output can feed audio data to an external DAC for use with a full-size hi-fi system or a dedicated headphone amp, although the Opus#1 does sound pretty spectacular already.
Durability & build quality
The case as mentioned made of high quality tough ABS and the player certainly feels substantial and solid, but without feeling too heavy or bulky. That is partly due to the front and back being tempered glass (the front being the touchscreen, obviously!).
Buttons are present on the sides and are easy to operate with a good feel; they also function when the screen is inactive but shouldn’t cause any trouble with the player being used whilst in a pocket or bag. Use of the leather case reduces any chance of unwanted button presses, but it is rather tight,and once on, hard to get off again!
Sound Quality
Some players have an ultra-accurate sound with which there is a danger of getting too cold and clinical, and others give an overly warm sound which can be further accentuated by choice of headphones. The Opus#1 does very well at occupying the middle ground, giving a very clear presentation which is also very musical. Most headphones an earphones will likely respond well to this, making the Opus#1 a good choice for those who already own decent quality headphones and seek to get the best from them.
Pros:
Good solid build,
Sound quality clear and well balanced,
Good amount of power for portable headphones,
Full navigation options,
Leather case is a nice extra but hard to remove
Cons:
EQ effect is delayed
Summary
For a first attempt, the Opus#1 is an amazing effort and promises to be very competitive amongst offerings of much more established companies like Astell and Kern. There’s more to come from makers ‘thebit’ and we are looking forward to future products too!
Touchscreen response slower than smartphone equivalent
Player feels vulnerable if worn in pocket
Volume control feels a bit flimsy
Power up a bit slow
Verdict
A uniquely designed high-resolution player that is generally well made. Sound quality is is up there with the best digital audio players available and has plenty of connectivity options. Some may find the touchscreen a little old fashioned with a relatively slow response time.
Intro
Astell&Kern needs no introduction as a leading brand of high end portable players, and many fans of top-notch sound quality hold the players they produce in high esteem. So their flagship model, the AK240, has its work cut out!
Key Features
The AK240’s touchscreen encompasses a lot of possibilities and intuitive control features; for example it’s very simple to fast forward through a long track as the position marker can be dragged as fast as the user’s finger is moved. Also, changing volume can be done on the screen; but beware if you have sensitive IEM’s! Luckily there’s a dedicated volume control for those without steady hands.
Connectability is there in spades; the AK240 has a bluetooth capability so suitable wireless headphones can be used with it, any compromise with sound quality will have to be weighed up with the convenience that bluetooth headphones provide. Also Wi-Fi is featured so music can be sent streaming around the house, and files/folders can be read from and added wirelessly.
Also, the AK240 has an optical output which allows the user to send music data to an external DAC if preferred, and a balanced output for those who will accept no compromise where sound quality is concerned.
First Impressions
The Astell&Kern AK240 player looks like a piece of modern architecture at first glance; the screen is partly framed by two very angular bevelled edges which act like an optical illusion of some kind. This does lead to some problems gripping the AK240; care is needed when picking the player up off a flat surface as the right-hand side is relatively thin. The AK240 is supplied along with a high quality leather case, which will go some way to improving this.
Once safely in one hand, the user will likely need the other hand to operate the AK240 as the touchscreen control demands accurate direction by an attentive finger, also the touchscreen requires the user to see what is displayed in order to operate the unit. Volume can be altered by the dedicated control on the right side; this does feel a bit flimsy but offers no trouble during operation.
Once a track is playing, the cover art (if available) is displayed along with the usual artist/track information making a pleasing visual display, until of course the auto-hold feature renders the screen blank. A quick press of the power button brings the display and control capabilities back of course, and this feature can be configured as the user sees fit.
The AK240 does take a couple of minutes to read the contents of a freshly inserted Micro SD card before continuing, so if you’re chopping and changing with multiple cards don’t expect to be listening to your music immediately.
For the asking price, there are going to be some very demanding end-users with some very exacting requirements. We’re happy to say that the AK240 addresses these with aplomb. Any drawbacks mentioned are relatively minor and we mention these as we understand the stringent expectations prospective users may have at this high-end level and price point.
It would have been preferable to have a player which feels as good as it looks. Certainly the AK240 is visually striking but beauty is only skin deep. The attractive sheen may wear thin as the player is used on a day-to-day basis, due to the way it feels in the hand; there is an unyielding quality about it which may alienate some after a while.
Needless to say, the sound quality is stunning. But in order to gain a bit of perspective we put the AK240 up against a similar high-end player, the Lotoo PAW Gold. The general concensus is that the Astell&Kern AK240 reaches a bit lower and provides a little more ‘rumble’ in the bass department, while the Lotoo PAW Gold has a bit more up top making the tape hiss on Queen’s ‘Another One Bites The Dust’ a bit more apparent.
The feeling was that the AK240 gives a little more atmosphere and space; it’s a very natural and effortless sound. Acoustic and classical tracks are very immersive, with separation which is second to none in terms of portable players. Things seem a little more reined in and controlled when dealing with dynamically compressed pop music. These differences are very subtle of course, and are only mentioned to give the reader a more meaningful explanation of the player’s capabilities rather than those of the headphones used.
Power is plentiful too – the Beyerdynamic T1 was driven very well, the only time more headroom was required was with quieter classical passages with of course no dynamic compression applied within the production.
Summary
In terms of sound and functionality, it may come as no surprise that this is perhaps the best player available. The connectivity and versatility really make the Astell&Kern AK240 special; however not everybody likes a touchscreen and this may dampen the enthusiasm of some. Operating the unit may require it to be drawn out of the pocket, and any accidental swipes may lead to some frustrating moments. Score 9.0
Golden volume and navigation controls may be on the blingy side for some
No digital outputs
Charges via mains adapter/wall wart only – not USB
Screen seems small amongst those of other DAPs
Verdict
A very capable and well-built unit, the Lotoo PAW Gold Player looks and feels as good as it sounds. The array of buttons make navigation a breeze and they’re all easy to get to. The unit feels right at home in the palm of the hand, and is easy to operate – even in the pocket once the control layout is familiar. It scored a hit with everyone here who tried it, and together with its future-proof SD card capabilities it looks like it is going to be some tough competition for other high end portables out there.
Intro
Joining the ranks of companies entering the portable audio fray with a high-end audio player is a company called Lotoo (pronounced low-to) with the PAW Gold. With audio quality that matches the Astell&Kern AK240 player and a price which is a whole lot lower, you may not need to win the lotto to enjoy this player!
Key Features
The most striking thing about the PAW Gold other than the large golden Mayan-style control on the front is the obvious button-focused control method which is a contrast to the AK240’s touchscreen. And it’s horses for courses; many people love gadgets with touchscreen operation and many people prefer buttons, these offer instant feedback as the user knows that a button has been pushed, and instant access to menus such as the player’s start screen or EQ settings is certainly a bonus.
Lotoo have gone for simplicity in terms of outputs and connectivity; the PAW Gold offers both a headphone output and a 3.5mm line-out. Sound quality is described below, but it’s unlikely that any external DAC is required to be used with the PAW Gold, also this DAP packs a real punch in terms of power so external amping is unlikely to be needed if the user is on the move. Line-out is a nice extra though if connecting to full-size amp and loudspeaker system.
The PAW Gold can accept some giant capacity cards – it’s designed to work with SD cards, but can of course be used with Micro SD cards by means of an adapter. So up-to-date is the Lotoo PAW Gold, the maximum capacity card does not yet exist! This may be a window into the future as the maker has seen fit to add compatibility for 2TB (2 Terabyte) SD cards. The largest sized SD Card available as of this time is 512Gb, so there’s a clue!
The volume control is accessible but nicely recessed at the same time. No need to be nervous when donning sensitive IEMs for example. It has a nice feel to it, neither too stiff nor too loose.
First Impressions
The size of the PAW Gold is noticeable when we’re used to ultra-skinny items such as modern phones and media players, but it feels like a solid piece of kit, much like something from the realm of professional audio. Not surprising, as the maker is well known for manufacturing innards for other brands’ high quality audio gadgets.
It feels great in the hand (left or right) and all buttons are easy to reach with the thumb. The screen is comparatively small but this is designed to be listened to after all. On-screen information consists of file audio quality details and track/artist details, with a large stereo level meter.
A moment of confusion was when the ‘key lock’ switch had been operated; this was not immediately obvious to me when I tried to operate the unit. The display showed the ‘power down’ screen leading me to think the battery was low, but a colleague pointed out that the key lock feature had been enabled. Perhaps a future firmware update might address this.
Sound Quality
As may be expected for a player at this price point, sound quality is top notch and can only be compared to similar bits of kit to give any meaningful impression, such as the Astell&Kern AK240. The PAW Gold resolves very well, perhaps a tiny bit better than the AK240, but the AK240 gives a better sense of atmosphere. Much like the difference between valve and solid state amps, although much more subtle.
The audio was tried with the in-ear Audiofly AF180, as well as with full-size headphones such as the Beyerdynamic T1. The PAW Gold gave a vibrant and immersive presentation, and with genres such as classical music, a wonderful richness. Timbre/harmonics are brought out and separation is very realistic with an excellent soundstage.
The amp was certainly put to the test; as well as the Audiofly AF180 IEMs which were used for the critical listening tests, a pair of power-hungry Beyerdynamic T1s were plugged in. The PAW Gold has 2 levels of gain and on the louder setting the T1 was powered very nicely. Only during the quieter parts of dynamically uncompressed classical tracks was any extra headroom called for; it’s safe to say that for any headphones under 600 ohms and with sensitivity equal to or greater than the T1’s 102dB this will not be an issue.
Summary
With portable players, many factors come in to play as the unit is picked up, put down and carried around many times per day; the sound is as important as what the unit is to live with and operate on a day-to-day basis. The PAW Gold certainly passes both tests as, despite its solid chunkiness, it becomes like an old friend very quickly. Once the button layout becomes familiar, the unit can be operated (such as track skip) in the pocket without needing to take it out, and the unit just feels good in the hand. Score 9.5
If you like your brand names to look like the first line of an optician’s eye chart, the Hidizs AP100 is certainly worth considering – the name might take some getting used to, but it’s plain to see that this player is getting some covetous glances!
The AP100 has some stiff competition in the low-cost DAP (Digital Audio Player) market, not least from Fiio’s ‘X’ range. The AP100 appears to be a halfway house between the X3 and X5 in terms of size and cost, but how about sound quality?
The same can easily be said – compared to the Fiio X3, the AP100 is a little more accurate and coolish but this is not to say that the Hidizs AP100 is harsh. Listening to unyielding and brittle-sounding early 80s pop such as Duran Duran is fine on the AP100 but the X3 just gives it a bit more warmth and roundness to a presentation – the AP100 wins in terms of detail.
With the default firmware, tracks stood a good chance of having the first second chopped off if selected from the track list on the device, but this was fixed after upgrading to V1.31067. One problem I had after upgrading was that the unit reverted to its native Chinese language – there was no clue how to get it back to English again. Luckily I found the option in the menu as the only item with 2 Chinese characters. Select this and you’ll see ‘English’ in the sub menu.
The buttons on the Hidizs AP100 are lovely to press; there’s a great chunky feel to them and they are good solid buttons which will last. The only problem is that Hidizs saw fit to add separate buttons for ‘fast forward/rewind’ – I’m so used to using the same buttons for track skip and forward/rewind that I keep skipping tracks by accident. Also the ‘back’ button is on the right of the other navigation controls, which makes it feel like a forward/select button; this may lead to a few wrong turns for the uninitiated but it’s easy to get used to.
There’s a little flap in the case which is held shut by velcro. It took a while to figure out but this is for spare micro SD cards; just be aware that you may need tweezers to remove them again. SD cards can be changed simply in the device, however a tool or long fingernail is required to ‘click’ it into place and retrieve it.
I did also notice a problem with the track list on the player – select ‘track 1’ for instance on the track list and skip forward a couple of tracks via the play screen. Then on going back to the track list, ‘track 1’ is still highlighted as if it is still playing. Perhaps this will be addressed in future firmware updates.
Summary
A good little player; I look forward to future firmware updates but in the meantime the UI is quite useable, and the unit gives a clear uncluttered sound with a good amount of power. A great first effort which begs the question: whatever next from Hidizs?
The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Portable Digital Audio Player & DAC from Astell and Kern, the AK100 is now available to be purchased on our website.
Uncompromising high-fidelity music playback at your fingertips: the Astell and Kern AK100 is the pinnacle of modern portable audio playback. Capable of Studio Mastering Quality sound, this portable player offers high-definition lossless music playback well beyond the realms of standard CD quality.
With the Astell&Kern AK100 listeners can enjoy music as it was intended to be heard with all it’s details and subtleties. Equipped with high-quality Wolfson DAC chip, the AK100 offers the highest levels of signal-to-noise ratio and lowest level of harmonic distortion for a highly detailed and realistic sound experience. The Astell&Kern AK100 can also be used as an external DAC via the Optical In/Out function.
The Astell&Kern AK100 is capable of playing all lossless music files offering high-definition music playback. Lossless music files are larger than standard music files and require more storage space. Astell&Kern AK100 carries an on-board memory of 32GB with additional dual micro SD card slots, making the internal memory expandable to 96GB.
An intuitive and responsive touch screen interface combined with traditional control buttons makes using the AK100 fast and easy. The user interface of the Astell&Kern focuses on quickly searching for and listening to songs. Housed in a robust case of black-anodized aluminium with a hairline finish, the AK100 represents a deep and defined craftsmanship
Features
Portable high-fidelity audio system with Mastering Quality Sound (MQS) playback
Up to 24bit/192kHz playback of high resolution audio files
Lossless playback for WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, APE, MP3, AAC, WMA and OGG music formats
Meets 100% of Hi-Fi audio specifications
Equipped with high-performance WOLFSON DAC chip
Optical DAC function for PC and MAC
Dual Micro SD card slot supports up to 96GB of total memory
User Interface with intuitive touch screen and control buttons
Digital volume control wheel with traditional analogue feel
Solid machined aluminium casing
The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Portable Digital Audio Player & DAC from Astell and Kern, the AK120 is now available to be purchased on our website.
The Astell and Kern AK120 plays any music format with high-fidelity Mastering Quality Sound (MQS). Lossless music files no longer need to be confined to big set-ups with this portable audio system. Feel the phenomenal realism of high-definition lossless music through 24bit/192kHz sound processing that cannot be heard through a standard CD.
The incorporated Wolfson WM8740 digital-to-analogue converter chip is the world’s best performing high resolution DAC chip. Equipped with two DAC chips the AK120 independently separates the left and right channels and offer true dual-monaural audio with wide soundstage and full-bodied audio. Astell&Kern AK120 can also be used as an external DAC via USB or Optical In function.
To playback 24bit/192kHz files, it is essential for the Astell&Kern to have high-capacity memory. Astell&Kern AK120 carries an on-board memory of 64GB with additional dual micro SD card slots supporting up to 64GB of memory in each slot , making the internal memory expandable to 192GB.
Intuitive and responsive, the touch screen interface combined with integrated hardware control buttons makes using the AK120 fast and easy. The user interface of the Astell&Kern focuses on quickly searching for and listening to songs. The curved design of the volume wheel guard provides additional protection to the volume wheel.
Features
Portable high-fidelity audio system with Mastering Quality Sound (MQS) playback
Up to 24bit/192kHz playback of high resolution audio files
Lossless playback for WAV, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, APE, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG and DSD music formats
Meets 100% of Hi-Fi audio specifications
Equipped two high-performance Wolfson WM8740 24bit 192kHz DACs in a dual-mono configuration
USB / Optical DAC function for PC and MAC
Dual Micro SD card slot supports up to 192GB of total memory
User Interface with intuitive touch screen and control buttons
Digital volume control wheel with traditional analogue feel
Volume wheel guard provides protection
Elegant design and sturdy build, housed in a brushed aluminium case
The HifiHeadphones team is pleased to announce the new Digital Audio Player & DAC from FiiO, the X3 is now available to be purchased on our website.
FiiO X3 Portable Digital Audio Player with Lossless Music File Playback and DAC Functionality. One device for all your lossless music, the FiiO X3 plays the five main types of lossless music including APE, FLAC, ALAC, WMA and WAV up to 192kHz/24bit. With incorporated professional DAC chip, inbuilt headphone amplifier, hardware based bass and treble adjustments and 10 hours playback time in a light-weight portable form factor, the X3 is the most versatile high-definition portable music player available.
Different from other consumer music players and smart phones, the X3 does not use the DAC function of its main controller chip; instead, for the best sound effect, it adopts the professional WOLFSON DAC chip WM8740. Instead of using software to achieve bass and treble adjustment, the FiiO X3 uses an adjustable hardware circuit, resulting in more natural sound without influencing other frequencies.
The FiiO X3 is well furnished with multiple output ports which include headphone, lineout and coaxial digital output. Moreover, it also can be regarded as a digital turntable and invites more powerful DAC implementation to improve the sound experience by connecting to audio decode through its coaxial digital output.
Most versatile high-definition portable music player available
Lossless playback for APE/FLAC/ALAC/WMA/WAV music formats
Supports digital master copy source at 192kHz/24bit
Employs high-performance WOLFSON DAC chip
Can be used as standalone digital-to-analogue converter
Main controller amplifier chip achieves A-Class amplification
Adjustable hardware based bass and treble adjustments
Master control committed exclusively to music
8GB internal memory capacity with 64GB memory upgrade capability
Outputs include headphone out, line-out and coaxial digital out
10 hours playback time with standard USB smart charging
I was excited about trying the FiiO X3 Digital Audio Player, as the high quality portable music player has become very popular, and until now the other contenders have been quite pricey – I was not disappointed! Out of the box you get a USB cable, coaxial phono to mini jack adapter, a couple of screen protectors and a neat silicone protective cover. The player comes with 8GB internal storage and you can increase that with an extra 64GB micro SD card – that would give you 72GB of storage!!
The player itself is lightweight and very easy to use, the buttons are well placed on the front and the menu is easy to navigate. The X3 has a coaxial output and a line out – this allows you to use an external amplifier. Another great feature of the X3 is that with the new patch, available to download from the FiiO site, you can use the X3 as a stand alone USB DAC for your computer. The X3 can support the main music formats – APE, FLAC, ALAC, WMA, WAV – this includes the Apples lossless codec; so all of you Apple users out there will be able to use your existing library of music. It’s hard to believe that you get all of this for only £159… And we haven’t even got to the sound quality yet!
I decided to test the X3 with the Earsonics SM64 and the HifiMAN HE-400 as they are both hard to drive and I wanted to see just what the player could do, turns out it’s a little beast! With the player set to high gain it drove both the SM64 and HE-400 effortlessly – the volume was just over 50% and it was more than enough. The sound quality you get is clear and crisp, separation is superb and combined with the powerful amp there is no distortion – not surprising as the X3 uses the same Wolfson DAC as the Astell & Kern AK100 which is currently priced at over 3 ½ times the price of the X3! When listening to albums the X3 has the option of gapless payback which can be turned on in the ‘Player Settings’ menu – you will need to select the album through the ‘Category’ menu to achieve this.
It was very easy to set the X3 up as a USB DAC with my PC. Once I followed the online instructions to update the players firmware the next step was to install the driver onto my PC; this was also easy as FiiO supply straight forward instructions to do this. The main screen on the X3 changes once it is plugged into the PC and you have a simple control panel where you can adjust the volume, bass, treble, gain settings and balance.
To sum up, I honestly can’t find any reason not to buy the X3 if you are in the market for a high quality player – at this price it is even worth buying purely as a USB DAC.
