'Better' is just a matter of different strokes for different folks really.
As already mentioned, most on here will think you're silly to get a DAP because a phone with a dongle is just as good in terms of sound quality, if not better, and in most cases much cheaper. Someone will even be along soon to state that "most DAP's measure poorly".
As a committed DAP user myself, I'd say they're missing the point. Some of us don't want to be tied to a phone for our music and suffer the interruptions. To which, they'll then answer, get an old phone and remove everything bar music playback and you're good to go. I won't argue with that, as I myself have just such an old phone that I connect via Bluetooth in my work van. No WiFi, no sim card, no photos...nothing bar an sd card with all my FLAC files on and Omnia music player.
However, you've chosen to get a DAP, and no one should persuade you that you're a fool for doing so. The DAP market is still strong because there IS still very much a use case for them, and I wouldn't be without mine.
For me, the do and don'ts of DAP use starts before you get one really, in terms of asking what you want from it.
1). Do you want to use it for streaming, just your local files, or both? That'll tell you if you need WiFi capability or not.
2). Do you need BT, or will you just be using wired iems/headphones? If wired only, singled ended 3.5mm only, or balanced too in the form of the old 2.5mm or the now common 4.4mm outputs.
3) Storage? How many local files do you have? How much internal storage do you want, and how many SD cards do you have, and of what size. If you have lots of files, remember there are very few twin sd card DAPs about, and many DAPs have a file limit, so even if a 2tb card will work, you may run into a file limit.
4) If you're EQing, do you want a Parametric EQ option? Not all DAPs have that option, and if you've opted for one without WiFi, you want be downloading an app for that.
5) How hard to drive are the headphones you'll be using? If you have a set of hard to drive headphones, you'll need to know that the DAP you're getting is capable of driving them.
Since you've already got your DAP on order, hopefully it ticks all your boxes. Once you've got it, just keep playing around with it until you know it inside out and find what works best for you. If you're unhappy with the sound and you have parametric eq, you can search for your iems/headphones in autoeq and see how you get on with the recommended EQ for starters, as well as playing around with EQ yourself. Good luck.
Automatic headphone equalization
autoeq.app
www.head-fi.org
