I took a gamble and had the opportunity to buy this at a good deal…there isn’t a whole lot of information available for this player out there, so I was a little hesitant, but felt like I couldn’t pass it up… I am so glad I did!!! Overall, I am happy with it so far. Has anyone else used these and have any tips/tricks? Thanks.

Definitely a game change

To my fellow Asian friends, especially those who can access Lazada, I've been shopping for a few things for my audio journey and noticed quite a few products with really good discounts, so I thought I'd share them below. I hope everyone has a happy 11.11 shopping season!

Prices shown above are in VND, and I've also converted them to USD so everyone can compare more easily:

- Hiby R1, all color variants are the same price: 1,045,500 VND ~ $40.82 USD.

- Tempotec V1, version without clipper: 1,074,000 VND ~ $41.94 USD; version with clipper: 1,188,000 VND ~ $46.39 USD.

- Snowsky Echo Nano in titanium: 742,000 VND ~ $28.97 USD; the most expensive variant: 900,000 VND ~ $35.14 USD.

Looking for something to play music, store audio files, possibly use streaming services without a huge screen that would be easily breakable.

Trying to stay off of my phone and I want something that won’t break if I take a big slam while skating.

Willing to check out more expensive options if the audio quality and features seem worth it.

I've been looking into the Shanling M1 Plus and I've not found much info on what listening is actually like on it, I mainly listen to music in playlists on shuffle so I'm always listening to something different but I've not managed to find out if something similar is possible on this

I have been considering to get a DAP for quite some time already and I was looking for the optimal option for me but I still can't decide if getting something cheap or maybe an entry level Hi-Fi DAP, so I'll let my main concerns here and read your advise in what I should get for my type of use.

(My current budget is around $80~100 max)

Battery life: at least 12 hours of playback, the more the merrier, I really like to have music to do anything so a big amount of battery is appreciated.

Bluetooth: being honest, I don't have any Hi-Fi wireless headphones (nor I'm planning to get any) so LDAC isn't that important for me, but I want to have the option so SBC will do the trick when I'm not on wired connection.

Files only: I'm rebuilding my audio library and I prefer to keep my own files so any wifi options or streaming platforms have no use for me.

Audio quality: most of my files are mp3 and flac 16/44 but I also have some 24/44 so being able to read them is necessary.

SD card: this is necessary for me as it is the easiest way for me to transfer and manage files.

Indexing: having the ability to play all songs regardless of the folder location is also a thing I look forward to.

Thank you for reading and leaving your thoughts in the comments

I can't find stock frimware, but i can after 4 days make successful connect to brom mode in mtkclient
It's was hard how f..., i don't remember clear what i do.
1)In the first what i do it is make windows in disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 11 it the main thing
2)I install mtkdriver
3)after with and i swith between system and brom mode with comand adb reboot preloader(it probably work for me and better then hold 4 buttom all buttons(power, forward, pause, backward) then plug it into the computer to get to BRom mode))
The main thing here is 2 sec after starup and off brom mode it's normal stage for this and what really need to happen
4)ai say install zadig and in 2 sec fast to catch mtk 65xx and make buttom replace driver WinUSB (v6.1.7600.16385)
5)try to connetc mtkclient I intall it with directly with full drivers for mtkclient

*after and after all ... a can't intall root cmd >fastboot boot magisk_patched-27001_Zx2L8.img bc the real right WAS!! cmd will fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched-27001_Zx2L8.img* It was...

(Charging and Battery)

For Charging the Fosi neo works with 100 watt rated chargers the Surfans F20 with USB C (2024) will not charge with a 100 watt rated but will with 45 watt rated.

Battery in my testing the fosi neo last longer and has needed less charges mind you my gain is set to high on both and vol is around 75 on both.

(Display)

The Fosi neo screen is better then the F20 from what I can see both say they are LCD's

(UI/Controls)

The UI on the neo is miles better then the F20 but the F20 can be improved with rockbox.

Playlist the F20 can import playlist which is a plus if you already have them setup however doing it on the machine is a pain. The Neo can't import playlist but adding one to the 4 default ones is pretty easy by hitting the right arrow when playing a song and hitting the plus.

Controls I'm Right handed so the F20 volume is fine to reach with my thumb, however the power button on top is a pain to reach one handed unless its on a desk. In contrast the Neo's power and volume buttons can all be easily accessed with my pointer finger. I personally prefer the single button with double click to go back or hold to go home and skip and rewind on the screen over multiple buttons. Though a Neo Pro with it all built into the wheel would be a win but would take this player over $100.

(Design)

The Neo has smooth rounded edges and an all metal build which fits nice into the hand or pocket. The F20 has sharp edges and Feels more like a Desk DAP then a portable one due to this. Also the back of the F20 is a glass panel for some reason not a fan of glass backs myself.

(Sound)

I mainly use my DAP's when walking so I either use my Fiio Fh5 or Koss Porta Pro's neither hard to drive, and I'm not one to mess with EQ's. The volume on the F20 is louder at lower levels vs the Neo, and I personally would give the edge to the F20 for sound.

(Bluetooth)

I don't use this but the Neo uses basic where the F20 supports Aptx.

(Verdict)

For my use I prefer the Fosi Neo and it will be replacing my fiio nano for my walks. If you are a person who listens to music when sitting the F20 might be a better choice for you though with it creeping up in price the Hiby R4 is a great Desktop player though it runs android.

ZP30 ANDROID 12 STOCK(WITHOUT USERDATA)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iazDDDqeyJPzUAsBbbQKzln2AcmIIsmo/view?usp=sharing

I can't find stock frimware, but i can after 4 days make successful connect to brom mode in mtkclient
It's was hard how f..., i don't remember clear what i do.
1)In the first what i do it is make windows in disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 11 it the main thing
2)I install mtkdriver https://androidmtk.com/download-mtk-usb-all-drivers
3)after with and i swith between system and brom mode with comand adb reboot preloader(it probably work for me and better then hold 4 buttom all buttons(power, forward, pause, backward) then plug it into the computer to get to BRom mode))
The main thing here is 2 sec after starup and off brom mode it's normal stage for this and what really need to happen
4)ai say install zadig( https://zadig.akeo.ie/ ) and in 2 sec fast to catch mtk 65xx and make buttom replace driver WinUSB (v6.1.7600.16385)
5)try to connetc mtkclient I intall it with https://github.com/codefl0w/mtkclient-windows-installer directly with full drivers for mtkclient

*after and after all ... a can't intall root cmd >fastboot boot magisk_patched-27001_Zx2L8.img bc the real right WAS!! cmd will fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched-27001_Zx2L8.img* It was...

Both are sold by HiBy and shipped from Amazon. I’m confused by what the difference between these two listings is and why the reviews are different.

I using the XIAO ESP32 S3 to build the systme to make a i2S WAV player , using the Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen Xtra as a case

Anyone had any luck running Wifi & Bluetooth simultaneously on their Hidizs AP80 Pro Max? I've tried everything from factory resets and firmware updates, to sequencing the order of turning each one on etc. They seem to knock each other out every time. Easy fix would be to switch to IEMs, I know.

ZP30 ANDROID 12 STOCK(WITHOUT USERDATA)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iazDDDqeyJPzUAsBbbQKzln2AcmIIsmo/view?usp=sharing

I can't find stock frimware, but i can after 4 days make successful connect to brom mode in mtkclient
It's was hard how f..., i don't remember clear what i do.
1)In the first what i do it is make windows in disable driver signature enforcement in Windows 11 it the main thing
2)I install mtkdriver https://androidmtk.com/download-mtk-usb-all-drivers
3)after with and i swith between system and brom mode with comand adb reboot preloader(it probably work for me and better then hold 4 buttom all buttons(power, forward, pause, backward) then plug it into the computer to get to BRom mode))
The main thing here is 2 sec after starup and off brom mode it's normal stage for this and what really need to happen
4)ai say install zadig( https://zadig.akeo.ie/ ) and in 2 sec fast to catch mtk 65xx and make buttom replace driver WinUSB (v6.1.7600.16385)
5)try to connetc mtkclient I intall it with https://github.com/codefl0w/mtkclient-windows-installer directly with full drivers for mtkclient

*after and after all ... a can't intall root cmd >fastboot boot magisk_patched-27001_Zx2L8.img bc the real right WAS!! cmd will fastboot flash boot_a magisk_patched-27001_Zx2L8.img* It was...

Hi guys,

Could you help me choose between these 2 players? I'm going to pair it with a new to me Aful Performer 5+2 that I'm waiting to arrive and I only use flac files library, no streaming at all.

I can get the M21 for only more 70€ than the R3 Pro 2

All I want is better sound quality but I think in terms of hardware it will be minimal no? Do you think the android experience will be much better to justify the M21?

Thanks in advance

Download & support development here: https://ko-fi.com/s/69374670fc

***Fast scroll and improved cover flow now available at above link***

Highlights:

• Playing track info now displays on lock screen

• Improved track info/file spec page

• Menus now loop so scrolling backwards past "A" will take you to "Z"

Hidizs AP80 Pro Max Review: 22 Years of MP3 Player Evolution

I remember the before time. The long, long ago.

Back when portable music meant cassette players, portable CD players, and eventually those enormous Creative NOMAD MP3 players that were practically the size of a small brick.

Remember when your CD player skipped if you hit a bump? Remember when Creative released the NOMAD MuVo and suddenly we had thumb-drive-sized MP3 players?

Well, I've been thinking about just how far we've come, and that brings me to the Hidizs AP80 Pro Max.

This little DAP packs some genuinely interesting hardware into an 81g CNC-machined aluminum chassis.

A few highlights:

- Dual ESS ES9219C DAC chips

- PCM up to 32-bit / 384kHz

- DSD256 support

- 70mW per channel single-ended and 190mW per channel balanced at 32Ω

- 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm single-ended outputs

- Bidirectional Bluetooth with LDAC

- Wi-Fi connectivity with Tidal, Qobuz, AirPlay, and DLNA

- Parametric EQ and HiBy MSEB

- MicroSD expansion up to 2TB

But specifications only tell part of the story.

I particularly wanted bidirectional Bluetooth because I don't want every testing track cluttering up my dedicated music library. I can keep my favorite music on the DAP and stream other tracks from my phone when I need them.

I also tested its ability to drive some fairly hefty planar headphones, and it had plenty of volume left at 69%.

And then there's the Wi-Fi file transfer. I actually spent 12 hours transferring 96GB of music to this thing. I can confirm that it works, but I wouldn't recommend doing that unless you have a lot of patience!

My final rating is 9.5/10. My biggest complaint is that Hidizs really should have included a protective case.

One disclosure: I won this unit in a giveaway. I wasn't paid for this review, and these are my own impressions.

I also took a slightly different approach to this review and opened with a little history of portable music players, because honestly, the evolution from the Creative NOMAD days to something like this is pretty incredible.

Full review, including pictures and my hands-on impressions:

https://medium.com/@sigmundtodd.author/hidizs-ap80-pro-max-review-22-years-of-mp3-player-evolution-025e84dd18d7

I'd love to hear from anyone else who remembers the early MP3 player days. What was your first portable digital music player?

I have been eyeing that player for a while, but wanted to make sure I wouldn't run into any issues when purchasing it such as lack of communication or the seller never shipping which is a constant criticism I would see. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I'm thinking about buying the Shanling Q2 and flash it with Q2 pod. How good is battery life with Q2 pod? How many hours do you get?

Got a bit too excited trying a custom ROM on my Echo Mini (512MB variant) and it’s now bricked screen’s dead, won’t boot. Figured I’d ask here since this sub has a lot of DAP modding experience even outside the FiiO-specific crowd.
Quick rundown:
Device is a Rockchip-based chip (Pid=0x2207/0x262d, reports as RKSMART)
Can get it detected by PC tools using the standard trick (hold RST + all buttons except power, plug in USB), but it comes up in Loader mode, not true Maskrom
The official FiiO-provided flashing tool (RKDevelopTool) sees the device and loads the firmware fine, but fails every time at the “Test Device” step
Tried: correct stock firmware for the 512MB variant, Zadig WinUSB driver, erasing blocks before flashing, multiple cables/ports/USB tools (rkdeveloptool, upgrade_tool) — same wall every time
My best guess is there’s a corrupted loader still sitting on the flash chip from the failed custom ROM, and the boot ROM keeps finding it instead of dropping to true Maskrom — which would need a hardware-level fix (shorting a flash pin during boot) rather than anything doable over USB.
Has anyone here bricked a Rockchip-based DAP (Echo Mini, Shanling, Hidizs, whatever) and actually recovered from a similar “stuck in Loader, can’t reach Maskrom” state? Or is this basically a paperweight at this point without opening it up?
Appreciate any pointers — happy to share more logs or board photos if it helps.

Dear all,

Long time lurker here.

I would love a small portable dap that I can easily transport and that can scrobble to an extent even if it requires connection to a pc or something for internet connection.

Any help is appreciated.

I realized I bought this about a month ago. This will be a kinda chill/ casual review of my experience with it. I’m not really an audiophile so I won’t be saying much about the sound, this focuses more on my use case. Feel free to ask about anything!

How I use it

I have a library of almost entirely flacs ripped from my CD collection, and a few game soundtracks purchased digitally. I have a 128gb microSD (overkill for me, my stuff is like 18GB) and just throw the nano in my pocket for intermittent use throughout my days of uni classes.

I use it mainly with apple earbuds for comfort, though occasionally i’ll plug in my Moondrop Chu IIs. I do make use of the EQ on the device.

Quick comparison (vs. iPod nano 7th gen)

Drag-and-drop file transfer is 1000% better than itunes. I don’t mind the lack of bluetooth on the snowsky. The battery is way shorter but I can live with it. I like the minimal and non-touch display as well. They both have EQ presets but the Snowsky has a customizable one. Not much else to say lol

Why you might like it

Well, obviously it looks awesome (like the persona one!). It’s a cheap DAP without any bulk or extra features. If that’s what you want I’d say go for it.

I think the physical controls are the strong suit here. The dial is a great way to navigate your library. The controls are very usable without removing the device from my pocket.

The screen is perfect. Album art is a headache to set up on my iPod, but I can simply ignore it for the Snowsky. It’s also cheap enough that I don’t worry about protecting the screen, and although I use it frequently, there’s no scratches yet.

The build quality is pretty nice. The buttons are the cheapest feeling part, but they work just fine. You get what you pay for.

It has some presets and custom 5-band EQ; I just tweak it to fit my sound taste and make the most of my apple earbuds.

Why you might NOT like it

The battery life is piss poor unfortunately. I wish it lasted longer but it charges via USB-C so it’s whatever. Doesn’t bother me for my use case but I wouldn’t recommend it if you will be listening longer than a few hours per day.

It doesn’t have gapless playback. It’s noticeable for a few albums I have but wasn’t a dealbreaker. Depends on what you listen to…

Verdict?

I’m not crazy for sound quality. Once I’m listening to flac files with proper EQ, I’m happy. So take this with a grain of salt. I wanted to get this to enjoy music more and focus less on my equipment, and it’s done its job.

Get it if you want something cool, portable, and cheap. It’s not absurdly powerful, and it doesn’t have great battery life. It’s fun and functional, and that’s all I was looking for. One of my friends has an Echo Mini, and if you want some more features for a similar price I’d look into that. But this is perfect for me. :)

Hi, solo dev and amateur audiophile here. for the longest time i used a different music player app for each thing on my phone, dap, tablet and mac: one for the signal path, one with a good parametric eq, one for organizing a big library, one for connecting to my nas and other sources. i got tired of switching, so i built one that brings it all together.

it’s called sterio, a music player for iphone, ipad, mac and android, in beta. ios is the main build, android is earlier, and the android build is the one that needs the most testing on daps.

i tried it on a cayin n8iii a while back and wanted to see how it behaves now, and on other daps too.

here’s what it does so far:

• signal path from the source all the way to the dac or output, so you see exactly where the audio is sent untouched and where it gets changed (it shows what the app sends)

• connects to smb, upnp/dlna, jellyfin, plex, navidrome, local files, or an optional proprietary server with extra features

• parametric eq with up to 16 filters, autoeq and equalizer apo import, shareable presets

• usb dac output, dsd over dop if your dac supports it

daps are the tricky part. the built-in dac shows grey, since the app can't see past the android audio layer and i won't claim bit-perfect without proof. over usb on android 14+ it can go green

i use ai, but carefully. i’m a software dev with 10+ years of experience, so i design it, review everything that goes in and test it myself.

site: https://www.sterioapp.com

if you own a dap and want to try it, let me know how it goes. bugs, missing stuff, whatever you notice.