portable flac/mp3 player with good dac and headamp with streaming?

[Blake Klondike]

I'm looking for a portable flac/mp3 player with a good built-in dac and headphone amp. ideally, but not necessarily, one that can play from streaming services. does anybody have anything to recommend? thanks!

 

[Somafunk]

Budget?

I use a 2024 Hiby R6 iii which is great in use due to the peq/convulution filter options and excellent performance, there is a newer 2025 model below, or you have Hiby R4 or the tiny Hiby R3 ii which I used to own - can also stream. Hiby also just released the R1 which is even smaller than the diminutive R3 ii

Then you have the Fiio JM21 or the M21 daps,

All the above are £350 or well under

Buy on the style you like, with the button placement you like, with the features you like……as they all sound the same.

HiBy R6 III - Portable Music Player HiFi DAP

Discover the HiBy R6 III Portable Music Player, featuring dual ES9038Q2M DACs, pro audio crystal oscillators, and Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 for superior sound.

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HiBy R6 III 2025 - Portable Music Player HiFi DAP

CS43198 *4 Switchable class A / AB amplification Dedicated audio crystal oscillators 4+64GB storage System-wide bit-perfect audio ✨Order a customized R6 III (2025) Leather Case

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HiBy R4 - 4-Way HiFi Android DAP

Experience the ultimate sound with HiBy R4 music player. Featuring PCM/DSD dual pathways, Class A amplification, and Android 12.

store.hiby.com

HiBy R3 II 2025 - HiFi Music Player with HiByOS

HiBy R3 II: The compact HiFi music stream player with HiByOS, balanced output, independent power supply, and dual ESS ES9219C audio SoCs.

store.hiby.com

Guangzhou Feiao Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.-JM21

JM21 has a 13mm, 156g ultra-thin body, and is the world's first portable HiFi player with Xiaolong 680.

www.fiio.com

Guangzhou Feiao Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.-M21

M21 to the flagship gene remodeling entry standard, internal and external design is full of "core" meaning and sincerity. Hand small screen and leapfrog performance comprehensive advanced, committed to creating a new generation of strength model.

fiio.com

 

[Blake Klondike]

thanks for the comprehensive response! I dont have any idea about budget because I font know what a reasonable range is.

 

[Somafunk]

thanks for the comprehensive response! I dont have any idea about budget because I font know what a reasonable range is.

The DAP market ranges from £100 to £3000, spending more than £200-£400 is a fools errand (imho),

If I was handed any of the above (except the R3 iii or R1, sound great but basic operation) then I’d be perfectly happy, you'll get folk talking about better sound quality as you spend £500+ but I consider such thoughts utter bollocks.

What headphones/iem’s would you be using?, for out n’ about use all the time or for mostly static use?

 

[Blake Klondike]

The DAP market ranges from £100 to £3000, spending more than £200-£400 is a fools errand (imho),

If I was handed any of the above (except the R3 iii or R1, sound great but basic operation) then I’d be perfectly happy, you'll get folk talking about better sound quality as you spend £500+ but I consider such thoughts utter bollocks.

What headphones/iem’s would you be using?, for out n’ about use all the time or for mostly static use?

thanks for the response! would mostly be static use with a pair of hifiman x or sennheiser hd800. I'm with you re: not getting better sound for more money. I'm not sure what you do get for the money but I know it's not better sound.

 

[kemmler3D]

I'm not sure what you do get for the money but I know it's not better sound

In this category, build quality, maybe higher output for demanding headphones, maybe better customer service.

I know it's not what you asked, but to the same point, there are a few dongle DACs that are fully capable of driving the hd800 competently. So you don't really need a whole DAP to get good portable sound if you are ok with using your phone as a player.

 

[Blake Klondike]

In this category, build quality, maybe higher output for demanding headphones, maybe better customer service.

I know it's not what you asked, but to the same point, there are a few dongle DACs that are fully capable of driving the hd800 competently. So you don't really need a whole DAP to get good portable sound if you are ok with using your phone as a player.

can you think of an example of a dongle that would do the job with Samsung galaxy and the 800s? thanks for your thoights!

 

[kemmler3D]

can you think of an example of a dongle that would do the job with Samsung galaxy and the 800s? thanks for your thoights!

JCALLY JM20 MAX Headphone Dongle Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the JCALLY JM20MAX DAC and portable headphone amplifier. It was sent to me by Crinacle. Cost is anywhere from US $22 to $65 :eek:. The dongle has a bit of style to it with that logo and such. Otherwise it is well, a dongle. :) Key thing is how it...

www.audiosciencereview.com

This one jumps to mind, it can produce about 2.5v into 300 ohms which should be loud enough for anyone that values their hearing... and it's also clean as a whistle in terms of noise / distortion.

 

[raif71]

I just bought a 2nd hand Hiby R4. Nice player and the sound is fantastic. Paired it with Zero Red or Blessing 2.