Best DAP 2020: Hi-Res, Audiophile, Budget, Portable

Posted on March 9, 2020 by John

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.

BEST DAP UNDER £200

2. Shanling M2X – £199.99

Shanling M2X

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.

BEST DAP UNDER £500

3. Cowon Plenue D2 – £259

Cowon Plenue D2

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.

MORE INFO: Cowon Plenue D2 Portable Digital Audio Player

4. iBasso DX160 – £349

iBasso DX160

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.

MORE INFO: FiiO M11 Portable Digital Audio Player and DAC

6. Shanling M6 – £499

Shanling M6

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.

MORE INFO: Shanling M6 Digital Audio Player & DAC

BEST DAP UNDER £1000

7. iBasso DX220 – £799

iBasso DX220

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.

MORE INFO: iBasso DX220 Portable Digital Audio Player and DAC

BEST DAP OVER £1000

8. Astell & Kern A&ultima SP1000M – £1999

Astell & Kern A&ultima SP1000M

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.

MORE INFO: Astell & Kern A&ultima SP1000M Digital Audio Player

Have We Missed Anything Out?

Please feel free to leave a comment below and let us know…

iBasso D2 headphone amp & DAC – all in one miniature device

Posted on February 6, 2009 by Shaun-HiFi

Regular visitors to HiFi Headphones may have noticed we’ve listed the iBasso D2 in our headphone amplifier section. Last week we received a couple of samples of each iBasso model to test. The results were so positive we went ahead and listed them immediately and put our first order in (we’re expecting stock from in approx 3 weeks).

There are other models in the range, including an ultra portable headphone amp called the iBasso T4 (it is VERY small and weighs just 29 grams) and a high end model that comes with various types of Op-Amp to swap over to alter the sound signature (one for the perfectionists).

The iBasso D2 works especially well with higher impedance earphones such as the Sleek Audio SA6 and Klipsch Image X10, where there is good improvement in depth of bass, as well as high frequency detail and soundstage. I’ve yet to test with lower impedance earphones (Ultimate Ears Triple.fi 10’s, etc), but I would guess the effect is similar, but maybe not so pronounced.

Below is a photo of the iBasso D2 with my Sleek Audio SA6’s and an old iPod Nano:

In my opinion the most interesting application for the iBasso D2 is using the DAC with a laptop. With my IBM ThinkPad T62 laptop feeding the D2’s DAC and a pair of Sennheiser HD650’s the difference in overall sound quality is significant compared with the laptop’s standard headphone output. I would say this is the application where the biggest improvement in sound quality is seen.

More Information

For the range of iBasso headphone amps, including the iBasso D2 and iBasso T4, please visit the HiFi Headphones shop.

iBasso UK Distributor Announced

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Shaun-HiFi

KS Distribution has announced they have been appointed as the sole UK distributor for iBasso Audio headphone amplifier products. Based near Brighton on the South Coast of England, KS Distribution is a specialist distributor of headphone and earphone related audio products.

KS Distribution is to be distributing iBasso electronics products to independent audio retailers in the UK and Ireland.

iBasso headphone amplifiers provide a way to get the best audio performance from portable audio sources, such as MP3 players (Apple iPod, etc) and laptop computers.

About KS Distribution

A leading audio electronics distributor, KS Distribution specialises in bringing innovative products to the UK market and providing a World class service to their customers. Offering a carefully selected range of products for home and mobile listening, KS Distribution are a highly focused team whose primary aim is to develop strong partnerships with retailers and manufacturers.

For more information visit www.ksdistribution.co.uk

About iBasso Audio

iBasso is a personal audio electronics manufacturer dedicated to getting the best from portable audio listening via headphones. iBasso’s range of headphone amplifiers feature high specification design and outstanding audio quality at an affordable price. With flexibiliy in mind iBasso headphones amps have been developed for high quality headphone listening via direct connection to portable digital audio players, such as the Apple iPod, as well as listening to music stored on laptops and netbooks via USB.

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