DAPs became a rage in their heydays, bringing in some of the most innovative features that revolutionized the digital music industry. They are now being re-engineered and tweaked with some of them using various OS platforms (Android, DAPs OS, and other Open Source Project) in a way to provide enhanced user experience and ease of access. The main USP of DAPs is their lossless music, which implies its ability to deliver CD-like quality sound output.
The FiiO M11 lines are touted to be their first Android-based DAP that focuses on enhanced user experience and solid sound quality. The overall form factor looks crisp, the screen is responsive offering full view display, multipoint touch, and good viewing angles. The M11 packs dual AK4493EQ DACs providing a good amount of amplification. The presence of three different headphone outputs can be a boon to audiophiles who prefer varied sound profiles. Bluetooth 4.2 is a downside, however, it still offers Wi-Fi, local DLNA, UPnP playback. The M11 comes with Android Nougat but does not support Google Play Apps, rather supplies apps through their own marketplace called Application.
HiBy has put in some novelties into their flagship media player HiBy R6 Pro offering some of the best audio features and UI tweaks. The main overhaul from their previous offering is the upgrade from TI dual TPA6120A to the OPA1612 amp stage. The form factor across this unit is symmetrical like its predecessors, and the design looks classy with a stainless steel body and front and back Gorilla glass protection. With power-packed performance aided by Snapdragon 425 SoC on an Android Oreo platform, the R6 is sure to please the audiophiles with its combination of ES9028Q2M DAC and MUSES8920 low pass filter chips. The R6 sports 3000mah of battery management topped with Qualcomm Quick Charge QC3.0 Support. The device supports most of the Hi-Res formats giving the ultimate lossless music experience.
The Sony NW-A55 attempts to reminisce its classic blockbuster “Sony Walkman” with updated features while staying true to digital technology. The presence of an S-Master HX digital amplifier enhances the music listening experience by cutting down distortion and noise. The DSEE HX (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) recovers the sound lost in compression and releases more vivid and natural output. An interesting feature of NW-A55 is its mammoth battery backup of 45 hours with its relatively light body from making it highly portable. It also sports an FM tuner with NFC touch pairing compatibility. Its advanced Vinyl processor gives a brilliant sound reproduction.
The HIDIZS AP80 comes with high-quality aluminum casing with a matte finish, the unit is ultraportable and doesn't compromise on the sound. It comes packed with an ESS flagship ES9218P DAC chip, a Hi-Fi SoC chip known for its audiophile-grade output, and globally renowned SABER DAC technology used in some of the finest sound systems. It runs on a Linux kernel powered HiBy 3.0 OS, presenting an intuitive user control. The AP80 supports a wide variety of music files and codecs, offers Bluetooth and USB-DAC connectivity, and includes an FM tuner.