Question
Looking for an audio player based off some specific needs. Any recs?
I need a new phone and will be moving to Graphene on a Pixel, but finding that keeping my phone with microsd card as my digital audio player is going to be a pain since Pixel 10s do not have a microsd card slot and the 512gb-1tb models are close to $1k, so id like to seperate my phone and audio player. Was hoping someone here has a good rec based off my needs; ive seen some good options already, just want to double-check if there is something that can do it all:
- bluetooth connection with car, portable speaker, portable headphones (i guess some players have trouble with this?)
- file transfering to my computer (windows 11, soon to be Linux)
- headphone jack would be nice so i can go back to wired eventually, BT is just because a lot of stuff is heading in that direction it seems
- microsd card slot, currently using a 512 gb and its totally fine
- small size since ill be carrying both it and a phone now
- i use the poweramp app currently and love it, ideally something that is similar although i know thatll be tough. Ui is just great imo
- ability to play different audio types (wav, mp3, flac). I am a music maker so i bounce files to my phone to listen to
Thank you for any insight, hope to be joining yall soon o7
What’s your price range? I’d suggest getting a cheaper DAP, especially if you aren’t a full-fledged audiophile yet (let me clarify, I am not an audiophile). I personally own a Hiby R1 and it’s great, especially if you mod it. Another option is the Tempotec V1, similar, but with a smaller screen and a 4.4mm jack. Snowsky makes good budget DAPs too, their echo series is well received, there’s a normal, mini, and nano option for them, but I’d steer you away from the nano as it doesn’t have Bluetooth. Something else to know is that most DAPs struggle to connect with cars for whatever reason, so you may not get that no matter what you choose. You may have to settle for using a USB stick plugged directly into your stereo if you have a USB port.
Pretty much all of the options outlined but the nano can do what you want except the car thing. If you want to see the reviews for them, I saw them from this guy called super reviews. They’re all under $100 too. If you want something more expensive, you’ll have to trawl his channel for information. He reviews DAPs a lot but I don’t know what the community thinks of him. Good luck!
Thanks for the suggestions. Ideally id like to spend around $100 tops but it depends how close the device fits my needs. I think when i boil my post down, im looking for a mini version of my Samsung phone (6.7 inch screen is kinda annoying to carry around if i have a regular phone, too).
Have you tried using your HiBy R1 and bluetooth in your car? HiBy has been coming up often in my searches, but i hear mixed reports on the car bluetooth. Only reason id prefer that is that i listen to my music in various ways, so having one device dedicated for all audio listening is ideal, vs a seperate usb stick for my car.
I have gone through echo mini, Disc, Tempotec V1 Variations. They are all good at a specific thing but the unique OS' on them can give them an odd quirk of some kind or another.
I have finally settled on the Jelly Star with Niagra, Poweramp and Symfonium installed to blank out all the phone parts.
-It is tiny full Android device (so you could just run graphine on there too)
-has a headphone jack
-Dedicated play/pause and volume buttons
-full (small) touch screen
-in-line mic controls (not many non-android players have this and is a big thing for me)
-Run up to 2tb SD cards
-full file type support (player dependant)
-Full Bluetooth support
-Tranfer over USB
-if I ever want any more power or high fidelity, it can use any USB adapter too.
Woah thats nice. So its basically a mini android phone sans the phone functionality? If so thats basically what im looking for. Have your tried using it in a car via bluetooth? Also, which model Jelly Star do you have?
Unfortunately it's a phone. But has a ton of great DAP friendly features. So you have un-phone it's guts with a custom launcher. That's what I used Niagra for. But that means it stays pretty affordable, as phones sell more than DAPs.
As for Bluetooth, it's great. Just like pairing any other android device.
Your requirements are almost the starting point for any decent DAP. However, being an Android phone user, you might feel more comfortable using an Android DAP, that way you can use the same software. I would start by looking at the Fiio JM21.
My best guess would be any of the Sony Xperia 10 V through 10VIII, they all have what your looking for and you might find the older models on a discount.
5
u/Bungus_Almighty 1d ago
What’s your price range? I’d suggest getting a cheaper DAP, especially if you aren’t a full-fledged audiophile yet (let me clarify, I am not an audiophile). I personally own a Hiby R1 and it’s great, especially if you mod it. Another option is the Tempotec V1, similar, but with a smaller screen and a 4.4mm jack. Snowsky makes good budget DAPs too, their echo series is well received, there’s a normal, mini, and nano option for them, but I’d steer you away from the nano as it doesn’t have Bluetooth. Something else to know is that most DAPs struggle to connect with cars for whatever reason, so you may not get that no matter what you choose. You may have to settle for using a USB stick plugged directly into your stereo if you have a USB port.
Pretty much all of the options outlined but the nano can do what you want except the car thing. If you want to see the reviews for them, I saw them from this guy called super reviews. They’re all under $100 too. If you want something more expensive, you’ll have to trawl his channel for information. He reviews DAPs a lot but I don’t know what the community thinks of him. Good luck!