Cell phones VS DAP players.....

[IsaacOscar]

Spinning discs and tapes chew through batteries too

That's why you spin them yourself!

 

[AndyBell]

I have one more question.......
Since many of you think phones and DACS are the only way to go and that digital audio players (DAPS) are way over priced and sound the same and that DACS and phones sound better....
CAN ANYONE GIVE ME A REASON TO BUY A DAP?

If you have wired headphones, then convenience is a factor. That’s why I do have a DAP.

I use the DAP + IEMs when I want to listen to music whilst doing ‘stuff’ around the house or having a stroll to the shops.

If I want to do some serious listening outside of my audio room, the it’s the Android phone + USB DAC + headphones. I’ll dial in DSP using the audio player and/or USB DAC.

The beauty of this site is that following its advice means you can afford to get both DAP and USB DAC without spending a small fortune.

My DAP cost £120 and my USB DAC cost £138.

It’s not a big investment for the quality of audio that I hear…

 

[ShadowBoxer]

I would say the last gen iPod touch that I use fits that category yes. Do you have a point?

Other than the device was discontinued by Apple three years ago and no longer receives SW updates?

 

[Tom C]

This one and others do and small form factor $200

HIDIZS AP80 PRO MAX All-in-One Hi-Res Streaming Music Player

- 2.95" (360×640) HD Touchscreen — smooth, responsive control- Dual ES9219C DACs + X1600E SoC — precise, high-performance audio architecture- Premium Aluminum CNC Body with Dual-Sided Glass — elegant, durable design- Native DSD256 & PCM 32bit/384kHz Support — pure, lossless playback- MQA 16X...

www.hidizs.net

Very nice! Thank you.

 

[Mean & Green]

Other than the device was discontinued by Apple three years ago and no longer receives SW updates?

It does still receive software updates and is fully compatible with the latest Mac OS.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Some online information must be inaccurate.

"Even though Apple discontinued it in 2022, it can still stream music, video, and photos as long as the apps support iOS 15, the final OS it runs."

 

[Mean & Green]

Some online information must be inaccurate.

"Even though Apple discontinued it in 2022, it can still stream music, video, and photos as long as the apps support iOS 15, the final OS it runs."

iOS 15 still receives updates or it did, I’ve very recently updated the software. No it won’t go beyond 15, but for it’s intended use a music storage and playback device being synced with a computer it is fully functional.

 

[Somafunk]

Why does everyone say this when it's so easy to turn them off?

That’s what I don’t understand?, why do folk allow their existence to be dictated by the dopamine rush of a notification?. All notifications are turned off apart from calls and messages on my iPhone, in the past week I have only had 2 incoming calls and 2/3 messages per day. The only folk that message/call me are my mum/bro and best mate. Don’t have/use social media of any sort apart from being a member of this forum and two others.

 

[Mean & Green]

That’s what I don’t understand?, why do folk allow their existence to be dictated by the dopamine rush of a notification?. All notifications are turned off apart from calls and messages on my iPhone, in the past week I have only had 2 incoming calls and 2/3 messages per day. The only folk that message/call me are my mum/bro and best mate. Don’t have/use social media of any sort apart from being a member of this forum and two others.

I don’t see how separating a smart phone and a music player into two completely separate bits of hardware is living an existence of dictation by notifications.

Personally I’d rather not have that inconveniently timed text, or random junk phone call interrupt my mood or music when listening to my system, but ok… I honestly think some folk just enjoy being obtuse.

 

[Subob]

On viewing the 18 messages/replies by Kinglizard i have come to the conclusion that it is an a.i. generated bot and I recommend burning it with fire

I'm tending to agree, especially having just seen the new thread started about an ibasso DAP purchase.

This whole phone vs DAP thing is getting a bit silly now, too. It invariably descends into arguments from some lovers of apples insisting orange lovers really should prefer apples instead, and then vice versa from some orange lovers. Dull.

It isn't helped by the fact that there's very few DAPs measured and reviewed here, at least compared to dongle DACs, from what I can see.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Personally I’d rather not have that inconveniently timed text, or random junk phone call interrupt my mood or music

This still ignores the fact that a smartphone used as a music player doesn't have to receive any voice or text (mine doesn't). ie It has no connection to my voice phone unless I want it to. I'm still not clear what functionality your Apple device has that a $100 smartphone doesn't?

Can you stream in the car away from a wifi hotspot?

 

[Mean & Green]

This still ignores the fact that a smartphone used as a music player doesn't have to receive any voice or text (mine doesn't). ie It has no connection to my voice phone unless I want it to. I'm still not clear what functionality your Apple device has that a $100 smartphone doesn't?

Can you stream in the car away from a wifi hotspot?

The remote places in the Northumberland countryside that I drive to have no signal anyway so streaming is useless.

The music is stored on the device. I have 100GB of music on it. I do not stream music, I have built a library over decades i am not just going to ditch it to rent music. I support artists by buying physical media.

This might be a shock I know, but not everyone has the same needs or requires the same usage from a personal and portable music device.

Why Apple? Why not? I have an Apple eco system of iPhone, iPad, iMac and an iPod Touch. I’ve used iTunes/Apple Music for years and years I’m a creature of habit. At no point have I instructed anyone to do as I do, I simply answered a question the OP asked and gave a reason why I use a DAP.

I’ll not be engaging any further.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

This might be a shock I know, but not everyone has the same needs or requires the same usage from a personal and portable music device.

The point, imo, is that a DAP is always a subset of a smartphone in terms of functionality (voice or non-voice), never vice versa. If someone wants to pay more to get less, or a different UI, that is always their prerogative.

 

[Chr1]

Theoretically you could say the same thing about a DAP and a tablet/laptop, but I'd still rather use a DAP when out and about.
They are generally way sturdier and intuitive to use than the alternatives. Especially when in a pocket. Reason enough for a lot of folks. Plus they needn't be expensive. As mentioned earlier, mine was £50.

 

[xanalog]

I can't understand
why some can't understand a DAP from a cell phone and earbuds..
I think it's because they probably never owned a DAP player..
I never had a cell phone that sounded anything like a DAP player.

What is so difficult to understand about individuals (who are NOT you) having other preferences/priorities?
See my reply #25 to you in your other post for iBasso DX270 ...at some obscene cost.


OT: I use the $200 Hidizs AP80ProMax [reviewed here at ASR] mostly for mobile/vehicle usage, and w/o relying on a phone.

 

[xanalog]

Sure, you want to listen to music some place you can't take a phone. For example, a prison. Just don't drop your DAP in the shower...

@Bernwhale, you are a sly dog!

 

[ShadowBoxer]

PS My DAP of choice is a £50 Xduoo X2S.

People seem to love it.

 

[Subob]

People seem to love it.

View attachment 508758

What an odd post.

What's your point exactly?

 

[Chr1]

Reckon DAPs are no different to any other piece of audio hardware. You can get great value for money... And you can also spend loads on portable audio jewellery. There's nothing wrong with choosing to use a phone. There is also nothing wrong with choosing to use a DAP. Clearly there are pros and cons to both.

Each to their own.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

Clearly there are pros and cons to both.

Other than potentially physical size, what are the cons to using a smartphone? (ie the super-set)