[Electrocrytic]

SP2000 SS blk. All I've heard but I"m not upgrading. I'm gonna hold.

Yes keep hold, one of the best sounding DAPs still, and you also have the choice of having it professionally modified to 4.4mm and open Android.

 

[nexgen]

Not much experience from my side but here we go (only sound quality because battery life, UI smoothness and other things are not important for me):

1. HiBy R6 Pro II
2. Shanling M8
3. HiBy R6 Stainless Steel (first version)
4. iBasso DX160
5. Astell SR15
6. Astell Kann Cube
7. Sony NW-A105

IMO 1-5 (except no 2) these are great options in relation price/performance. I have ended with HiBy R6 Pro II and compared to my end game desktop set I don't feel this DAP will need upgrade anytime. Hopefuly it will last long (and I do not mean battery life )

 

[sanakimpro]

Depends on your priorities.. I'm in a similar journey and here's my ranking (copy paste from another thread) for pairing with my IER-Z1R based on optimizing for SQ and value for money:

1. iBasso DX320: all rounder with balanced ROHM dac sound, fast UI, pretty screen, reasonable price and swappable ports, but not very powerful. Likely to buy this one….
2. Shanling M9: lovely AKM sound with deep bass extension, fast UI, nice volume always on display, but not very powerful
3. Sony WM1ZM2: amazing sub-bass extension and layering, but relatively slow UI, small screen (noticeable low youtube fps) and underpowered for full-sized cans. Cost 2x of DX320!
4. Fiio M17: insane output power, all the ports you need, can second as a desktop dac/amp with clean dry sound sig but super heavy, gets warm quickly
5. Cayin N8ii: nice euphonic tube sound with many experimentation, but slightly underpowered, small lower res screen running on android 9. Cost 2x of DX320!
6. A&K SP3000: Personally haven’t tested this as not available at the time but in consideration since highly rated and using AKM chip. However, dislike closed OS system (tested SP2000T with laggy UI) and it cost 2.5x of DX320!

Updated my list for WM1ZM2 on top of the list.. it's glorious when paired with the IER-Z1R, quite mind blowing and musical when going thru my entire library. It's also an eyecatcher and conversation starter in the officer If you are on a tighter budget, prefer lighter DAP or dislike the bling, I do think 1AM2 is the one you should get as it sounds close enough to me.

1. Sony WM1ZM2 / 1AM2
2. Ibasso DX320
3. Shanling M9
4. Fiio M17
5. Cayin N8ii

 

[Quadfather]

Updated my list for WM1ZM2 on top of the list.. it's glorious when paired with the IER-Z1R, quite mind blowing and musical when going thru my entire library. It's also an eyecatcher and conversation starter in the officer If you are on a tighter budget, prefer lighter DAP or dislike the bling, I do think 1AM2 is the one you should get as it sounds close enough to me.

1. Sony WM1ZM2 / 1AM2
2. Ibasso DX320
3. Shanling M9
4. Fiio M17
5. Cayin N8ii

I have and still love the Gen 1 Sony NW-WM1Z and NW-WM1A.

 

[jprenaud78]

Not much experience from my side but here we go (only sound quality because battery life, UI smoothness and other things are not important for me):

1. HiBy R6 Pro II
2. Shanling M8
3. HiBy R6 Stainless Steel (first version)
4. iBasso DX160
5. Astell SR15
6. Astell Kann Cube
7. Sony NW-A105

IMO 1-5 (except no 2) these are great options in relation price/performance. I have ended with HiBy R6 Pro II and compared to my end game desktop set I don't feel this DAP will need upgrade anytime. Hopefuly it will last long (and I do not mean battery life )

Kann Cube in 6 ?

 

[kajetanjazz]

Maybe its more of a Holo May thing than Bliss, but I suspect higher power headroom does its thing too.

I would concede - I think a desktop quality dac makes a difference rather than unnecessarily powerful amp. Depending how the design is done - using 1% of the amps power is not optimal at all for its performance. I know bliss has something done with its stepped attenuation for the dynamic range. I want to buy it eventually to try with IEMs too

Now I’m using Wandla/hypsos into Mass Kobo 475 which is optimal amp for IEMs, the results with a desktop dac are amazing. Holo may and Brise tsuranagi or 475 would be interesting vs. Bliss

 

[Golyatx]

hi, maybe not (maybe yes) the best thread to ask, but do you think its worth Astell&Kern SP2000T for 1500$ with 2yr warranty? coming from A&KSR25 MK1? (which I got also only for 300$) thanks..
IEM is Monarch MK3 (only)

 

[kiling92]

Anyone have tried the dmp z1,cayin n30le and dx320max?
I own the 320 max and I really like it,maybe the sound is a bit too reference and -not less emotional,but zero emphasized,it gives you back as raw natural tone as possible-and maybe I would like also to hear other flagship dap

 

[Firov]

I haven't listened to a lot of DAPs, but my rank:
1) Astell&Kern SP3000
2) Sony WM1ZM2
3) Hiby R8 II
4) Lotoo PAW Gold Touch Titanium Edition
5) Cayin N8 II
6) Cayin N7 / Astell&Kern SE300
7) FiiO M17
8) iBasso DX320 / iBasso DX300
9) FiiO M15s
10) Hiby R6 Pro II
11) Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA

 

[proedros]

Rankings are silly, but I love them ...

1. Sony WM1Z K-mod Ultimate
2. Sony WM1Z
3. Sony WM1A NPAudio mod
4. AK SP3000
5. Hiby RS6
6. Sony WM1A
7. Shanling M9
8. P6 Pro
9. iBasso DX300 MAX
10. Shanling M8
11. iBasso DX220 MAX
12. FiiO M15

if i find a npaudio wm1a and a wm1z arounf the same price , should i go for the 1z then ?

how would you describe them sonically these 2 head to head ?

ps: if any big hitter here has a sony wm1a npaudio mod that gathers dust and is thinking of selling it , pm me i really want to try it

cheers

 

[BeelzAlBob]

I haven't listened to a lot of DAPs, but my rank:
1) Astell&Kern SP3000
2) Sony WM1ZM2
3) Hiby R8 II
4) Lotoo PAW Gold Touch Titanium Edition
5) Cayin N8 II
6) Cayin N7 / Astell&Kern SE300
7) FiiO M17
8) iBasso DX320 / iBasso DX300
9) FiiO M15s
10) Hiby R6 Pro II
11) Astell&Kern KANN ULTRA

Why is Kann Ultra at the bottom for you?

And that’s a ton of DAPs.

 

[Aramaki]

Whatever I can afford.

 

[Electrocrytic]

if i find a npaudio wm1a and a wm1z arounf the same price , should i go for the 1z then ?

how would you describe them sonically these 2 head to head ?

ps: if any big hitter here has a sony wm1a npaudio mod that gathers dust and is thinking of selling it , pm me i really want to try it

cheers

He doesn't say which version NPAudio mod he has/had but I sold my WM1Z after getting a WM1A v5 mod.

 

[Bosk]

1. Luxury & Precision LP6 Ti 7th Anniversary Edition...



...Lotoo Mjölnir, Cayin N30LE, Luxury & Precision P6 Pro, Astell & Kern SP3000, Shanling M9+, Hiby RS8, Sony WM1ZM2, iBasso DX320 and everything else.

 

[Firov]

Why is Kann Ultra at the bottom for you?

And that’s a ton of DAPs.

To my ear, its sound is flat and cold (I don't use full-size headphones and for IEM all power of this DAP are not required).