Cheap and light DAP for sports?

[Koeitje]

I'm looking for a cheap and light DAP to use while at the gym. With it I'll just be using some budget IEMs (Moondrop Quarks, Final E1000), so nothing spectacular.

What are some good options? Preferably something that I can wear around my arm, my neck or has a clip. In terms of storage even 8GB would be more than enough.

FYI: I considered wireless IEMs (+phone), but my ear canal is really tight and most IEMs don't fit great for me so don't want to run the risk of spending too much money on something that doesn't fit well.

 

[staticV3]

Here are a few compact DAPs side-by-side:

https://comparesizes.com/comparison...nling-M1-vs-Hidizs-AP80-PROX-vs/1710958504683

And Amir's review of the M0 Pro:

Shanling M0 Pro DAP Review

This is a review, measurements and listening tests of the Shanling M0 Pro digital audio player and DAC. It is on kind loan from a member and costs US $129.99 on Amazon. As you see, this is a very diminutive player, easily fitting in your pocket weighing almost nothing. Music is stored on...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Doodski]

@Koeitje. I used this small Sony NWZ-B183F for years. It is the size of a thumb drive.. It is a 4GB device although I found I could get enough music on it for about ~3.5 days worth of daily playtime while out and about in city. The price for them is low.

https://www.sony.com/lr/electronics/walkman/nwz-b180-series

 

[Robin L]

I'm looking for a cheap and light DAP to use while at the gym. With it I'll just be using some budget IEMs (Moondrop Quarks, Final E1000), so nothing spectacular.

What are some good options? Preferably something that I can wear around my arm, my neck or has a clip. In terms of storage even 8GB would be more than enough.

FYI: I considered wireless IEMs (+phone), but my ear canal is really tight and most IEMs don't fit great for me so don't want to run the risk of spending too much money on something that doesn't fit well.

I was looking for a Fiio M3K (have one myself), but everyone seems to have run out of that model. While it isn't designed to strap on to one's wrist, it's light, tiny and sounds good. Mine has a .5 TB Micro SD chip with about 1600 CDs worth of music in the ALAC format. I've got a Boston Acoustic FM radio in the kitchen with a 3.5 mm aux in. So I can play the contents of a large portion of my collection while cooking or washing the dishes. Too bad it isn't available anymore.

 

[Chr1]

Can recommend the Xduoo X2S. Small, light. Plenty of power, great sound quality and battery life. Plus cheap and with useful EQ options...

XDUOO X2S Digital Audio Player DAP 24bit 192kHz DSD128 - Audiophonics

xDuoo offers with its X2S a particularly compact and practical digital music player, offering however very good sound performances. Its internal architecture allows it to support high resolution audio streams, up to PCM 24bit 192kHz and DSD128.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[Koeitje]

Can recommend the Xduoo X2S. Small, light. Plenty of power, great sound quality and battery life. Plus cheap and with useful EQ options...

XDUOO X2S Digital Audio Player DAP 24bit 192kHz DSD128 - Audiophonics

xDuoo offers with its X2S a particularly compact and practical digital music player, offering however very good sound performances. Its internal architecture allows it to support high resolution audio streams, up to PCM 24bit 192kHz and DSD128.

www.audiophonics.fr

This looks very close to what I'd want. Only thing missing is some kind of way to carry it around at the gym. My shorts only have a small pocket in the back and that doesn't work when laying on a bench for example .

 

[Chr1]

Think there's things called running belts which are like minimalist bumbags/fanny packs. Plus pretty sure you get elastic phone pouches for your arm...At a push you could just cut off a piece of elastic compression bandage. It is so light and small that would work.

 

[staticV3]

This looks very close to what I'd want. Only thing missing is some kind of way to carry it around at the gym. My shorts only have a small pocket in the back and that doesn't work when laying on a bench for example .

Perhaps consider a used iPod Nano 6g.

It weighs next to nothing (~20g) and has a built-in clip.

 

[gorb]

This looks very close to what I'd want. Only thing missing is some kind of way to carry it around at the gym. My shorts only have a small pocket in the back and that doesn't work when laying on a bench for example .

Something like a flipbelt could carry it. Also, as an alternative to a new dap and iems you could look at something like the shokz bone conduction headphones to stream from your phone. I use them when running because I can still hear what’s happening around me.

 

[Koeitje]

Perhaps consider a used iPod Nano 6g.

It weighs next to nothing (~20g) and has a built-in clip.

I had a nano 4g that I used for sports, but gave it away to my mom years ago. Second hand 6g might be a good option indeed.

 

[HoweSound]

I have a SanDisk Clip tucked in a drawer. Still works, but haven't used it for years,. It will play FLAC as well as MP3, I recall installing a different operating system on mine, which added some features. Here's a link to a newer version; cost - about $40.

https://www.westerndigital.com/en-ca/products/mp3-players/sandisk-clip-sport-plus?sku=SDMX28-016G-G46B

 

[Martin Takamine]

I've been using a 4GB SanDisk Clip since 2012 and it's still going.
Here's a newer model, SanDisk 32GB Clip Sport Go MP3 Player.
And basic arm band.

 

[Koeitje]

I have a SanDisk Clip tucked in a drawer. Still works, but haven't used it for years,. It will play FLAC as well as MP3, I recall installing a different operating system on mine, which added some features. Here's a link to a newer version; cost - about $40.

https://www.westerndigital.com/en-ca/products/mp3-players/sandisk-clip-sport-plus?sku=SDMX28-016G-G46B

This seems to be the cheapest option if I want something new. How good are these in terms of sound quality? With that I mainly mean noise and output power. Distortion is whatever imo as long as it isn't total crap.

 

[HoweSound]

This seems to be the cheapest option if I want something new. How good are these in terms of sound quality? With that I mainly mean noise and output power. Distortion is whatever imo as long as it isn't total crap.

They are perfectly acceptable for casual listening. No doubt the DAC is not SOTA and the amplifier circuit is probably limited by size/cost constraints. If I were to compare to a higher end DAP such as the several FiiOs that I have, I would say it sounds a bit "thin". I would spend the $40 and see if suits you. If you find it wanting, use it until you find something better.

Out of curiosity I found mine and charged it. Can't believe how tiny it is. It's a Clip Zip model. Micro usb port for charging and accepts a micro sd card and has some internal storage. there's an FM tuner with wired headphone/Iems (no Bluetooth). Mine has RockBox open source firmware installed. My impression of the sound - not bad at all.

 

[pallas]

A few weeks ago I dug out my old SanDisc Sansa Clip+ and installed the Rockbox OS.
Now it has a much better display theme (more info) and also plays FLAC. And has a clip.
As mentioned the DAC isn't SOTA, but really not bad at all. And for sports premium sound quality isn't the main point, I guess.
The only annoyance is the mini usb for charging. Would be ok with a micro usb, but I don't have any other device with a mini usb anymore...

 

[AlmaAtaKZ]

Are you considering a combo of a smartwatch (e.g. Garmin model with music) and wireless headphones?
Compact, light, one fewer device, no cables - all these are essential for sport activities.

The headphones do not have to be in-ear. There are models that are loose fit and another option is bone-conduction based models e.g. Shokz

Shokz Bone Conduction Headphone - Shokz UK

Shokz specializes in designing innovative headphones with bone conduction technology. Find the latest products and support on the official website.

uk.shokz.com

Another option to consider is custom tips e.g. Snugs or similar. This will solve the narrow canal issue.

 

[juliusskinner]

Something like the SanDisk Clip Sport Plus or the Sony NW-A55 might fit the bill. Both are lightweight, have clip-on options, and won't break the bank.

 

[Ze Frog]

I've been using a 4GB SanDisk Clip since 2012 and it's still going.
Here's a newer model, SanDisk 32GB Clip Sport Go MP3 Player.
And basic arm band.

That's a cool little thing for sure, and next to nothing cost wise.

 

[Ste_S]

I'm looking for a cheap and light DAP to use while at the gym. With it I'll just be using some budget IEMs (Moondrop Quarks, Final E1000), so nothing spectacular.

What are some good options? Preferably something that I can wear around my arm, my neck or has a clip. In terms of storage even 8GB would be more than enough.

FYI: I considered wireless IEMs (+phone), but my ear canal is really tight and most IEMs don't fit great for me so don't want to run the risk of spending too much money on something that doesn't fit well.

Water (sweat) resistant Bluetooth IEMs and your phone? Cabled IEMs at a gym would annoy me, especially if the cable was microphonic.