DAP for Car/Portable Use

[kyuu]

More and more lately I'm discovering that what I want in an audio player diverges quite a bit from what I get with my phone.

• Phone no longer has a headphone jack.
• Phone constantly engages audio ducking when I get notifications, either lowering the volume of what is being played or cutting it out entirely (it seems to be entirely random which).
• Phone does not have a microSD slot to gain more storage with which to store a large music collection; I am growing more and more disenchanted with endless subscriptions to streaming services which don't do what I want and cut out randomly when out and about due to the vagaries of the cellular network
• Having to pull my phone out, unlock it, and get into the music app is anywhere from annoying to downright impossible/unsafe when I'm in my car

Almost all my music listening outside the home is done in my car. For that use and for occasional portable use when on a plane or whatever, I am seriously considering purchasing a standalone DAP. Does anyone have any strong opinions/facts on what might be the best option? The only two options I've been able to seriously entertain so far are:

1. Sony NW-A306
2. Fiio M11S

I'm definitely looking to stay under the $500 mark. The Sony seems to have had some issues early on that (maybe?) have been mostly sorted through firmware updates at this point. No measurements available, but previous model was pretty middling. The Fiio hasn't been measured either, but older models that were measured seemed to do well, and Fiio in general seems to make good stuff... although with some notable exceptions.

Anything else I should be looking at?

Edit: Corrected model number of Sony DAP.

 

[raif71]

I think you meant Sony NW-A306

 

[ShadowBoxer]

IMO if using local media files (ie not streaming)

Secondary (non-cell ie non-voice) Android smartphone.

• less than $125
• micro-SD storage (are there any now that don't? all mine (for years) have had micro-SD)
• $10 USB-C dongle if no headphone jack (some even have PEQ); or use BT
• good selection of music players

Personally, I use my Android phone connecting via BT to a Qudelix 5k and this works great for me (but, primarily if you have a 3.5 line-level aux jack and those are becoming rare on newer vehicles).

 

[kyuu]

I think you meant Sony NW-A306

Indeed I did. Thanks for the correction.

IMO if using local media files (ie not streaming)

Secondary (non-cell ie non-voice) Android smartphone.

• less than $125
• micro-SD storage (are there any now that don't? all mine (for years) have had micro-SD)
• $10 USB-C dongle if no headphone jack (some even have PEQ); or use BT
• good selection of music players

Personally, I use my Android phone connecting via BT to a Qudelix 5k and this works great for me (but, primarily if you have a 3.5 line-level aux jack and those are becoming rare on newer vehicles).

I've considered that. But beyond the whole question of what cheap phone does better than the Sony, I really do like the Sony's (and to a lesser extent the Fiio's) form factor, with physical buttons in addition to the touchscreen. And much smaller than most smartphones on the market nowadays. And I believe the Sony and Fiio bypass Android's typical forced resampling of everything? And microSD slots are not a given on modern phones either.

Also, yeah, my car does not have an aux jack. It's Bluetooth or nothing.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

And I believe the Sony and Fiio bypass Android's typical forced resampling of everything?

If you utilize USB Audio Pro or Neutron Music players on Android that is no longer an issue.

And Amazon has like-new Motorola 2023 Power's (with micro-SD) for $100. I know bc I just purchased & configured one for a friend (5G voice) last week.

 

[rlw6534]

The FiiO is much larger and heavier if smaller size matters to you. Both are good.

 

[Jmudrick]

I'm keeping my LG V60 til it dies.