[pseudomagick]

"Sound quality" is honestly just your way of expressing your subjective opinion. Or is this list supposed to just reflect sinad and output power?

If you don't agree with someone else's list, you can make a mental note that your opinion doesn't mesh with theirs. You're not "right" no matter how much you want it to be, and neither are they. The title itself says, "best sounding" which is subjective.

Okay. I will give another example.
If someone has a subjective opinion that the earth is flat, it does not mean that it is true.
If I say that a $30 mp3 player sounds better than a $4,000 hi-end DAP, is that really true?
Of course, everyone can write anything they want here and they have the right to write nonsense here as well.

 

[pseudomagick]

I think you'd have a great list, and it would be nice to see it for a contrast to the one above.

Okay. Tomorrow I will write my "rank the best sounding daps" here.

 

[pseudomagick]

Here is my list.


1)HiBy RS8
2)Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000
3)Astell&Kern A&ultima SP1000
4)Astell&Kern A&futura SE300
5)Astell&Kern A&futura SE200 (only DAC AK4499EQ) and Lotoo PawGold Touch (very similar sound quality)
6)Astell&Kern SP2000T Onyx
7)iBasso DX320
8) AuneM1s
9) HiByR6 PRO II
10)Shanling M6 Ultra
11)Shanling M6 Pro (2x AK4497 DAC)
12)Lotoo Paw 600
13)Astell&Kern SR25
14)Astell&Kern SR15
15)Cowon Plenue D
16)FiiO X5 3rdgen
17)FiiO X3
18)FiiO X5 1stgen

 

[LucasKA]

Here is my (relatively) small list:

1. Cayin N8
2. Calyx M
2. Hiby RS6
2.5 WM1A
3. Fiio M6
4. Xuelin 1969
5. iPhone + Apple Dongle

Hoping to hear RS8, LP DAPs at some point!

 

[Dax7]

Trying decide between SP3000 and Cayin N8ii . More I read more I am indecisive. Only using IEMs. i know both heavy but I like a being able have it in my pocket when I go to the park or on dog walk . Which one you guys prefer between this two

 

[blotmouse]

Trying decide between SP3000 and Cayin N8ii . More I read more I am indecisive. Only using IEMs. i know both heavy but I like a being able have it in my pocket when I go to the park or on dog walk . Which one you guys prefer between this two

Depends on the IEM's you are using them with. There is no clear answer anyone can give you but their own fan favorite choice.

RANK POSTS ONLY (please) Stay on topic.

 

[Auricon]

Personal ranking is skewed towards more colored DAPs than reference and other subjective factors like synergy. List includes current (+) and previously owned (–) or extensive multi-month listening:

1. Cayin N30LE (+)
2. HiBy RS8 (+)
3. iBasso DX320 MAX
4. Cayin N7 (+)
5. iBasso DX300 MAX SS (–)
6. Cayin N8ii (–)
7. A&K SP3K CU
8. iBasso DX312 (+)
9. Shanling M9+
10. Shanling M9 (–)
11. Fiio M17 (–)
12. Fiio M11+ LTD (–)

Ranking of currently owned DAPs:

1. Cayin N30LE
2. HiBy RS8 / Cayin N7 + C9
3. iBasso DX312

 

[The1Signature]

1. Cayin N30LE (+)

including the amber pearls?

 

[Auricon]

including the in ears in large package?

The N30LE Amber Pearl with UM Amber Pearl IEM? As much as I was tempted, gosh no. Saving the extra $8K towards future IEMs – FF Grand Maestro, EE Raven and or future FiR Audios

 

[KrólArtur]

Personal ranking is skewed towards more colored DAPs than reference and other subjective factors like synergy. List includes current (+) and previously owned (–) or extensive multi-month listening:

1. Cayin N30LE (+)
2. HiBy RS8 (+)
3. iBasso DX320 MAX
4. Cayin N7 (+)
5. iBasso DX300 MAX SS (–)
6. Cayin N8ii (–)
7. A&K SP3K CU
8. iBasso DX312 (+)
9. Shanling M9+
10. Shanling M9 (–)
11. Fiio M17 (–)
12. Fiio M11+ LTD (–)

Ranking of currently owned DAPs:

1. Cayin N30LE
2. HiBy RS8 / Cayin N7 + C9
3. iBasso DX312

I think that many people underestimate N7 + C9, chasing new products.

 

[KOM66]

I think that many people underestimate N7 + C9, chasing new products.

Agreed. I have both and music has never sounded so great.

 

[Ryokan]

Ranked on sound alone, not counting battery or portability.

1. Fiio M17 - Very clear airy and precise sound, lovely mids/vocals, good clean sub bass especially. More reference sound compared with others. Wide soundstage with good height and depth. Disappointing battery life though it's not surprising considering what it's packing. Sound like it's created with a laser - if that makes sense? A big player and heavy but I can carry it around ok in my camera bag, just. Nice interface, starts quickly.
2. Cayin N7 - Brings out greater detail from iem's, very good soundstage, depth and height more holographic and wider sounding than M17 and even better positioning. Gets hot especially using A amp. Surprisingly good battery life though not as good as P6K, better than M8>M17, though I'm using with iem's and mostly amp AB. This player could easily be number one with more use.
3. Shanling M8 - Warmer sound compared to the above two but that's not a negative, soundstage not quite as wide as N7. Gets warm no longer hot after updating. Not my favourite interface but spoilt by others.
4. Lotoo P6000 - Brighter than the three above which can be fatiguing with certain iem's over long period. Would be much better if I mastered the complicated though exceptionally good eq. A clear step up coming straight from ZX507. Hardly gets warm. Very quick start up almost instant.
5. Sony ZX507 - A near perfect portable player, adequate battery, very small slim shape especially compared with the first three. Clear sound (though not in same league as top four) and bordering holographic but can't compete with soundstage of top 2 especially. Haven't listened to this player for a while.
6. Shanling M6 Pro 21. Really nice player but out classed by top four. Haven't listened to for a while.
7. Sony ZX300 - Better with other firmware, borderline muddy compared with ZX507. Was disappointed with this player expected more from a Sony, wasn't much of a step up from ZX100 if at all, actually preferred ZX100 and only sold to get bal out. But it was good enough and used it for several years. Haven't listened to for a long while.

Take all this with a pinch of salt as I've written it 'off the cuff' listening with M17.

 

[Dax7]

My list is short since I only had 3 daps since I got in this hobby. Anyway
1) N30LE
2) SP3000
3) SE200

 

[somnarium]

My list is short since I only had 3 daps since I got in this hobby. Anyway
1) N30LE
2) SP3000
3) SE200

Off to a flying start there!

 

[wazzupi]

RS8
320max ti
Lp6
R6 pro ii
N8ii
N7
DX320
Sp3000