Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Turn Your iOS / Android device into HIFI DAP
search
close
Sort by: Newest
keyboard_arrow_downrhom
51
Feb 11, 2018
I will get the dragonfly black or red soon, right now I'm using my old iPhone 5s as my hifi player. I purchased this app named Vox and they are great. You can transfer the files using itunes, I have my selected FLAC and dsf playing partnered with my MEE M6 iem and they are good. Soon I will upgrade to the M6 Pro 2nd Gen or M7 pro coupled with the dragonfly.
nishikanta2000
0
Dec 18, 2017
For me the better option is to use a wireless dac/amp or dap combo. Something like creative sound blaster e5, can be used both wired and wireless. I personally use nexum aquaplus with soundmagic e10. Brought Sony LDAC headphones will use with Xperia z5. Personally I think a yesteryear flagship or used phone can become a great androidplayer instead of paying expensive dap.
Heefty
1387
May 2, 2017
Sounds great except that you will always have connectivity problems with USB DAC/Amps from mobile phones if you're on the go. It's one of the rather unfortunate aspects of using an easily connected/disconnected cable for your data IO. If someone knows a good way to keep a usb cable solidly connected while being bumped around in your pocket and is willing to share their secret, I'll start a white house petition to declare you The Burgomaster of Neptune.
Devices like those you mentioned (dragon fly for examlpe) will also drain your phone's battery absurdly fast if they are powerful enough to actually drive headphones. You need to make sure to get one with its own battery. Obviously if you're using your phone for communication it's not ideal to kill your batteries running a separate device to make your audio not suck.
I've been using my phone to drive my CEntrance DACPort Slim into a custom amp as my office rig for some time. I use a split supply cable to attach a separate power source to the DAC/Amp to keep my phone battery from being the sole power supply for the chain. Maybe not what you were trying to get to in your post, but until the issue with the cables gets resolved I don't see any point in trying to make it mobile since I can't carry it around without disconnecting everything anyway.
Devices like those you mentioned (dragon fly for examlpe) will also drain your phone's battery absurdly fast if they are powerful enough to actually drive headphones. You need to make sure to get one with its own battery. Obviously if you're using your phone for communication it's not ideal to kill your batteries running a separate device to make your audio not suck.
I've been using my phone to drive my CEntrance DACPort Slim into a custom amp as my office rig for some time. I use a split supply cable to attach a separate power source to the DAC/Amp to keep my phone battery from being the sole power supply for the chain. Maybe not what you were trying to get to in your post, but until the issue with the cables gets resolved I don't see any point in trying to make it mobile since I can't carry it around without disconnecting everything anyway.
MXRC
261
May 4, 2017
Alright, let me clarify. All I'm saying is in regular use I haven't had any disconnection issues. I can only assume you must be doing something considerably more strenuous like cross fit to have cables falling out of their jacks.
Heefty
1387
May 4, 2017
MXRCAlright, I'll clarify again as well.
I'm walking.
Sometimes I'm not even doing that. Sometimes I've just been moving in my chair with it in my jacket pocket.
Those are pretty typical things that a mobile DAP should be able to manage.
I'm guessing I won't be the only person who has this problem. I'm happy for you that you don't have this problem but I'm guessing that someone else has and hoping that they have figured out a work around for it.
The cables don't fall out of their jacks. They move just enough that one of the critical contacts is broken and the music stops as a result. You then have to convince your phone that it is indeed still connected and get it to start back up. It's pretty damn annoying.
You work in IT don't you? That's the only other place I've come across people whose default cause of every problem is user error and will purple-faced scream it at you as if it will make the problem at hand fit their expectations so they don't have to be wrong.
I'm walking.
Sometimes I'm not even doing that. Sometimes I've just been moving in my chair with it in my jacket pocket.
Those are pretty typical things that a mobile DAP should be able to manage.
I'm guessing I won't be the only person who has this problem. I'm happy for you that you don't have this problem but I'm guessing that someone else has and hoping that they have figured out a work around for it.
The cables don't fall out of their jacks. They move just enough that one of the critical contacts is broken and the music stops as a result. You then have to convince your phone that it is indeed still connected and get it to start back up. It's pretty damn annoying.
You work in IT don't you? That's the only other place I've come across people whose default cause of every problem is user error and will purple-faced scream it at you as if it will make the problem at hand fit their expectations so they don't have to be wrong.
pahhhoul
0
May 2, 2017
Thanks for the informative post. Good to know of portable DAC alternatives aside from the DIY CMOY that I usually see.
gb21011971
159
May 2, 2017
USB Audio Player Pro by far the best player for Android via USB. I use it with a Dragonfly Red. Amazing result.
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile
SsButerbal
Ringing in PC38X's
I recently got this headset, and wow is it good. My only issue is when certain people talk on discord, I can hear a really high pitched ringing. I fiddled with a bunch of settings, computer audio and discord, and nothing seems to solve the issue. It is primarily if not all in my right ear only. Is there something wrong with my headset, or was that ringing always there I can just hear it cause the headset is THAT good? I haven't had any issues with any other application, though I have yet to test if I can hear the ringing on a different version of discord, say on my xbox instead of my pc. Only other issue I've had is occasional static, but I can't tell if it's from the headset or the show/game/etc.
Apr 24, 2024
itsamepe
Sennheiser PC37X randomly goes bad after disconnecting the cable ?
Greetings, Yesterday I was using my headset like normal with my macbook, just listening to music and on a call with people like usual, and the headset was perfectly fine. The stock wire that came with the headset is extremely long and yesterday it annoyed me very much that it kept getting tangled with itself, so I decided to see if the cable is replaceable. I pulled out the cable from the headset and saw the adapter, and looked online for a replacement. Upon plugging it back in, the audio sounded extremely muffled and washed out. Im not sure what I did wrong to make it mess up like that as I've always taken good care of it, ive had it for about 2 years and its always just been chilling on my desk, but anywho I thought the cable just went bad and ordered a replacement. The replacement came, and the issue is still persistant, so I am not sure what the issue is I've tried multiple different headsets and the issue is not with the port, and I also tried it with my windows laptop and...
Apr 23, 2024
MrChiSox
Big changes coming to my tiny little music room, I've recently purchased a new stack. Currently figuring out where to locate it all and ordering up the necessary cables, it won't be too long before I'm up and running. I am now the proud owner of a brand new stack. It's a European brand called Earmen. Amp, DAC, Streamer & Linear Power Supply. It won't be long!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MB15yM4UptQ
Apr 23, 2024
Briankan
Recommendation for my next headphone set? I have Koss 95x
Hey all, What would you recommend I get next and why? I have Koss ESP-95x electrostatic massdrop headphones. These are my first and only audiophile set. I love them. I think my only real requirements is $500 or less for the headphones and that they have a little more low end. I don’t need thump but these are really light on lows…but the experience is still awesome. Also any recommendations on an amp? I only have my electrostatic thingy. I am using the Topping D50 DAC. thx!!
Apr 22, 2024
Simthaniel
Rigs
Modded headphones with qudelix at the core
When I received the Qudelix 5K, I had already modified a pair of Superlux HD-681 headphones. I previously soldered my own balanced connections to the drivers, providing multiple ways to connect and...
Apr 14, 2024
brothamike
A decent set of IEMs
I am in the midst of a 300 hour burn-in but, I will say I am enjoying how this set sounds so far. Before I received these which was btw late by a few weeks, I purchased a Sony/Kimber Kable MMCX...
Apr 12, 2024
merrick97
Should I exchange the PC38X for better headphones?
I bought the PC38X headphones FOR GAMING and they are great, but I have NO use for a Microphone since I don't do competitive gaming and I was wondering if there were better headphone options at a similar price without a headphone, where (presumably) more of the cost was put into making it sound better. I also find that my PC38X don't get quite as loud as I would like and I was wondering if a cheap amp like the iFi Go link would draw a little more volume out of my phones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BN6MM822?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details I went with the PC38X since it was considered the best bang for buck headphones. I care most about using spatial apps like DOlby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X. Suggestions are welcome.
Apr 11, 2024
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop
I just wanted to share something I've been using for HIFI on the go for anyone who cares. Since its safe to say that everyone owns a smart device nowadays, it makes sense to take advantage of its processing power instead having to buy a separate DAP/DAC/AMP to carry around for our HIFI audio needs.
Playback 44.1khz:
On iOS, there are a couple of dependable options to play lossless audio. The native iOS Music app is capable of playing back Apple lossless (ALAC) files which you manage through iTunes on the PC/Mac. You can convert your CDs into ALAC files and sync them to your iOS device.
Your second option is to download the VideoLAN Cross-Platform player (VLC). I like this option because it's compatible with a lot more lossless formats like WAV and FLAC. (One caveat is in the rare case you have a file with a sample rate of 192khz, the iPhone doesn't seem to have enough processing power to play it back.)
On Android devices, I've only used VLC player. I'm not sure if there are other players out there that can play back lossless files.
Apple iDevices and most Android devices have a native playback rate of 16bit:44.1khz.
Extended Sample Rate Playback and Amplification:
There are plenty of iOS/Android DAC/AMPs available in the market. I've had the opportunity to try a few of them. These devices override the onboard audio processing of your mobile device. Here are a few examples of DAC/AMPs for mobile devices.
1. I personally own and use the Nexum AQUA. They manufacture individual versions of this device for iOS and Android. It retails for about $90USD and connects via the iOS Lightning port or microUSB on Android. The AQUA is a 24bit:192khz DAC/AMP. I can power most of my headphones with this device with the exception of my 600 ohm Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro.
Website: http://www.nexum-design.com/copy-of-aqua-en
2. The AudioQuest Dragon Fly is a small USB stick DAC/AMP that comes highly recommended. It comes in three flavors with varying specs. They are compatible with both iOS and Android devices. iOS device owners have to purchase an adaptor with an Apple Authentication chip.
Website: http://www.audioquest.com/dragonfly-series/
Apple USB Adapter: Amazon http://a.co/fY7jQ5j
3. A company called Cozoy makes a number of DAC/AMPs for iOS and Android devices. Their flagship model is called the Cozoy REI. It is a 32bit:384khz DAC/AMP. I believe this is 32bit floating point, although I'm not sure. They also recommend a propriety (Relisten) media player if you want to take advantage of the on-board DSP enhancements. This is the most expensive of the bunch, retailing at $550USD, but it also is the most robust in-terms of its capabilities and features.
Website: http://www.cozoyaudio.com/rei/
That's all :D