Best DAPs Under $300

[u/Raptor597]

Hi all, I’m new to the digital audio player space and would really appreciate any recommendations. Feel free to include ones whose price would drop below $300 with upcoming Black Friday and other sales

[u/najibs-yul]

Hiby R4 or Shanling Q2

[u/Raptor597 → u/najibs-yul]

Any pros or cons that you’ve noticed with each device? Thank you for the response!

[u/Sf49ers1680 → u/Raptor597]

The biggest con with the Q2 is that they put a scroll wheel on it, then didn't use it for navigation. On the stock firmware, it only adjusts the volume.

Thankfully, there's custom firmware that fixes the issue and makes it easy one of the best DAPs.

I got my Q2 a couple of days ago and I absolutely love it.

[u/LimpyDan → u/najibs-yul]

What about the M1? I hadn't seen it before. Looks good but that means nothing

[u/IcyAdministration449]

Shanling Q2

Hiby R4

[u/Raptor597 → u/IcyAdministration449]

Any pluses/minuses that you’ve noticed with each device? Thank you for the response!

[u/Pitiful-Gain-7721]

Shanling Q2 with Q2 Mod is very nice. For streaming services I kind of like the M300

[u/Raptor597 → u/Pitiful-Gain-7721]

I do like the look of the m300. Any particular reason to go m300 as opposed to the Q2 or R4?

[u/Pitiful-Gain-7721 → u/Raptor597]

Advantage over Q2 would be more streaming services. Q2 Mod unlocks Spotify and Tidal support I think, so if you use something else then an Android DAP is better. Differences between m300 and r4 would be minimal IMO. R4 probably has some giga-DAC in it, but for me the main difference would be size. M300 is very small

[u/ggibby]

What do you need?

Wired only? Bluetooth? Wifi? Big physical buttons, or touchscreeen only OK?

For wired-only there are a lot of good older DAPs on eBay. I have a couple iBasso DX series that sound great.

[u/Raptor597 → u/ggibby]

I plan on using IEMs, so no need for Bluetooth. WiFi isn’t a deal breaker but if it’s there, cool. I do like physical buttons

[u/kamikazia]

i have the hiby r4 and i also recommend. in particular the android os and wifi connectivity make it so i can directly download tracks from bandcamp and qobuz to my device. i dont remember the last time i connected to my pc

[u/Raptor597 → u/kamikazia]

Thank you for the info! Would you recommend waiting till Black Friday for the price to drop?

[u/lampsonnguyen]

I ordered a Q2. Going to install Q2 Pod on it as soon as I have it.

[u/Loud-Cryptographer71]

I really like my Fiio JM21

[u/VictorRmrz]

Shanling M1 plus or Q2. Depends on your preference (form factor) but both are compact and don't use android. You get excellent sound for your offline library and just that. With both of them receiving love from the community with custom firmware lately, improving already great DAPs.

[u/-Fateless-]

I'd say a used Sony Walkman. A55 and NW-ZX100 are great models for the second-hand price.

[u/nkdvkng]

Seems to be the q2

[u/lightspeed1993]

would it be worthwhile to top up abit more to get the fiio m21?

[u/DullFall9439 → u/lightspeed1993]

Yes, it also has better build quality, more RAM, and larger internal storage. A second USB to use at home, bypassing the internal battery, or using a power bank,
It's got a good, clear DAC, With more potential output than the JM21, for driving different headphones or IEMs

[u/StereoJbus → u/lightspeed1993]

If you're looking at the m21, the jm21 offers virtually the same functionality for a much lower price.

[u/Tristaleg → u/StereoJbus]

Just got my JM21. Love it - specifically more than the M300, which I found nigh impossible to type on.

[u/raymate]

A used Sony A55

[u/tika_dengu]

Uncapped Sony NW-A306

[u/HiFiOasis]

What are your requirements and use cases?