A DAP, or digital audio player, is a standalone device with a sole purpose: playing music. Some of these do this with audio files that you need to load onto it yourself. Others come with operating systems (most often Android-based) and support streaming services like Spotify or TIDAL. They can also range widely in cost, some focusing on accessible budget pricing and others taking the form of genuine luxury items. All of them have the same purpose, though: to deliver the best sound quality possible, exceeding what you could hope for from a smartphone and headphone adapter. If you’re on the hunt for an aural upgrade, we’re here to help. We’ve collected the very best DAP options, whether you’re looking for a dedicated player on a budget, a player that caters to a particular streaming service, or just want the best money can buy.
Best overall: FiiO M11 PlusBest high-end: Astell&Kern A&Ultima SP2000TBest for TIDAL: iBasso DX240Best under $500: Shanling M3XBest budget: Hidiz AP80 Pro-X
How we selected the best DAPs
Over my years working in tech journalism, I’ve developed a passion for great sound. As an apartment dweller until 2019, I was limited to in-ear monitors and headphones, so I skipped right over loudspeakers and instead dove deep into the world of personal audio equipment. I’ve been lucky enough to test dozens of different headphones and earbuds and a wide array of devices that drive them. I’ve learned and experienced far more than I ever expected to, but the depths of my audio geekery allowed me to develop a discerning eye to sort the stupendous from the snake oil.
Things to consider before buying a DAP
Like most things within the audio hobby, choosing the right DAP isn’t as simple as finding what’s popular and assuming it will work for you. Prices scale into thousands of dollars and, unsurprisingly, those expensive products tend to get rave recommendations. Based on positive feedback alone, you might assume you need to spend upwards of $1,000 to have a great experience. Instead, the much wiser choice is to work backward from the features you need and then find the best digital audio player that fits your budget. Here’s what to look for before committing to a purchase:
Connectivity
The first thing to consider with any DAP is what connectivity options it offers. Some DAPs are limited solely to single-ended (standard 3.5mm) connections. Others offer 4.4mm or 2.5mm balanced connections—ports that split the signal into left and right channels for reduced distortion, improved clarity, and increased power delivery. Even if your current pair of headphones uses a standard 3.5mm jack, it’s worth considering whether a balanced earphone may be in your future. Since balanced outputs tend to offer more power, it is a useful option if you’re listening to harder-to-drive headphones. One important thing to keep in mind is that, due to their size, the best hi-res players typically lack support for the large 6.35mm jacks that are common to over-hear headphones. It’s still possible to use a DAP with cans like these, but you’ll need an adapter to make the connection. This flexible option from Sennheiser is an excellent choice and comes in at just under $20. Connectivity doesn’t stop at the wire, however. Some DAPs also support Bluetooth to send and/or receive audio, as well as Wi-Fi for higher-resolution/bandwidth audio. If you want your device to also drive true wireless earbuds, you’ll need to be sure it supports Bluetooth as a feature (while acknowledging that Bluetooth isn’t the highest-fidelity option, though the LDAC codec is a solid listening experience).
Output power
Right up there with connectivity options is how much power the portable DAP is able to produce. This isn’t usually an issue for small, easy-to-drive in-ear monitors, but is a major consideration if you’re considering over-ear headphones. Audiophile-grade cans often require the extra power of a dedicated headphone amplifier to sound their best and a DAP that doesn’t produce enough power to drive them is bound to disappoint. This information is usually found on the specification list for most players and is rated in milliwatts (mW) or volts RMS (VRMS). It is typically rated against a certain resistance which is measured in ohms: 70mw@32Ω, for example. The amount of output power can also vary between the balanced and single-ended (3.5mm) outputs, so it’s important to consider which port you’ll be using and not just assume the highest possible output power is what you’ll be getting. Since headphones come with an incredibly wide range of power demands, it’s impossible to offer specific advice without knowing which will be used. Generally, 50mW of output power is sufficient for most earphones. Headphones can be more demanding. To be safe, run your headphones through a headphone power calculator to find out exactly how much power output you should be targeting. If you plan to listen to a mix of in-ear and over-ear headphones, consider looking for a DAP with high- and low-gain modes for less hiss and more fine-tuned volume adjustment. A very high-output player may work great for a demanding pair of audiophile headphones but could make listening to sensitive IEMs difficult with very touchy volume controls. Being able to swap between low- and high-gain modes can be game-changing to the versatility of a DAP.
Support for streaming services and file types
Digital audio players come in two varieties: simple music-file players and smart devices that also support online streaming. If you’re a die-hard fan of lossless audio with a deep catalog of hi-res audio files, you’ll probably be happy with a standard “dumb” DAP that has the sole job of making your music sound great. If you’re a fan of TIDAL or Spotify, you’ll need a DAP that’s able to connect to the internet and has a display capable of navigating these apps. That means running some version of Android and, usually, a more complicated and expensive device. Smart audio players often feel like smartphones designed around playing music, which can be both good and bad (if you’re looking for that kind of convergence device, check out something with an upgraded integrated DAC/amp, like the ASUS ROG Phone 5s). On the plus side, DAPs that support streaming services give you access to huge libraries of music and the ability to pick up where you left off across different devices. The downside is that, since the focus is on audio quality, the actual computer side of the device is often several generations old, including the operating system. Many smart DAPs feel sluggish compared to similarly priced smartphones. The other thing to consider is what file formats the device is capable of playing back. To stream the highest quality tracks from TIDAL, your DAP will need to support decoding those files. TIDAL’s top streaming tier features MQA, or Master Quality Authenticated, tracks that use a proprietary compression algorithm that only some players can fully decode, usually at an additional cost. Likewise, if you’re playing local files, you’ll want to be sure the device supports the format of your library (FLAC, ALAC, DSD, WAV, etc).
Battery life
Finally, the last thing to consider when purchasing a DAP is how long you can expect it to play between recharges. Somewhat counterintuitively, the fancier DACs often offer worse battery life due to their large screens, Android operating systems, and more powerful digital signal processing options/amplifier output. Any DAP worth investing in will last at least through a workday of listening. If you don’t mind plugging in overnight, this will likely be sufficient. Along with this, take a close look at how long the player takes to recharge. The Hidiz AP80 Pro-X comes in on the low end for battery life but takes only an hour to fully recharge, which means a quick plug-in through the day will likely close the gap in usability for extended listening sessions. If you do anticipate having to plug in, also be sure to check if the device can still be used while charging.
The best DAPs: Reviews & Recommendations
Even with those considerations in mind, settling on the best portable player can be confusing without doing lots of research—which is exactly what we’re here for. We’ve done the digging so you don’t have to. Here are the best digital audio players available today across half a dozen key categories.
Best overall: FiiO M11 Plus
Why it made the cut: The FiiO M11 Plus offers an excellent balance of price and performance, making it the go-to option under $1,000. Specs
Price: $699.99Screen size: 5.5-inch HD (1440×720) IPS panelConnectivity: Balanced (2.5mm/4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC/AAC/aptX HD/LDAC)Music streaming: YesOutput power: 588mW (balanced), 206mW (single-ended)DAC: ESS ES9068AS x2Battery life: 11.5 hours
Pros
Great balance of features and priceRecent hardware, snappy performanceSupports balanced and single-ended headphonesAndroid 10
Cons
Mid-tier driving powerBattery life could be betterRather bulky
The FiiO M11 Plus is the best overall choice for a digital audio player under $1,000. With the M11 Plus, FiiO has delivered a DAP that over-performs for its price and presents an outstanding balance of features, sound quality, and a premium look and feel. While it’s not the best in any one area, it culminates in the best value in its class. The M11 Plus offers a smooth and natural sound that doesn’t color the headphones you’re listening to. The power from its THX AAA-78 amp module comes in the middle of the pack at only 588mW over its balanced port and 206mW over single-ended but manages to deliver enough drive for most full-size headphones to reasonable volume levels and virtually any IEM you’d care to try. What matters most is that the pure power you do get, with three gain modes, is low distortion while also lively. One of the best parts of the FiiO M11 Plus is its user experience. It features a big, 5.5-inch HD display that’s crisp and responsive. Under the hood, it uses a Snapdragon 660 chipset to power its Android 10 operating system. Neither of these is cutting edge but both are newer than what you’ll find on most other DAPs at this price and allow this Android DAP to be snappy and responsive as you navigate files (up to ultra-resolution DSD512/768kHz PCM) and/or streaming including TIDAL (supporting up to 8x MQA unfolding). That big screen and fast tech do make an impact on battery life, however, with only 11.5 hours rated by the company when listening over balanced (14 hours over 3.5mm). However, Quick Charge 4.0 support allows the M11 Plus to recharge completely in just shy of four hours. Adding to its list of high points are dedicated buttons for track controls and volume (including a capacitive touch slider), a glass front and back, a leather case, and a pre-installed screen protector for added protection, and you have a DAP that looks, feels, and performs better than just about anything else in its price bracket. While FiiO makes a fancier flagship (the M17) that’s certainly worth exploring, this model lives in the sweet spot of performance: price.
Best high-end: Astell&Kern A&ultima SP2000T
Why it made the cut: The A&ultima SP2000T sits in the lap of luxury, or at least the pants pocket of luxury, featuring a refined design and top-of-the-line features befitting its ultra-high-end price tag. Specs
Price: $2,499.99Screen size: 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) panelConnectivity: Balanced (2.5//4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 5.0 (including LDAC)Music streaming: YesOutput power: 6 Vrms (balanced), 3 Vrms (single-ended)DAC: ESS ES9068AS x4Battery life: 9 hours
Pros
Gorgeous design Outstanding power outputExcellent format support to listen to just about anythingTube or solid state amplification
Cons
Incredibly expensiveMiddling battery lifeSluggish performance
The Astell&Kern SP2000T is a tremendous digital audio player with an equally tremendous price tag. At $2499, it’s fair to have high expectations and the SP2000T delivers—mostly. The design philosophy seems to be “everything and the kitchen sink,” so if you’re the kind of listener who must have it all and don’t mind paying for it, this can be a great choice. At the heart of the distinctively angular, sleekly aluminum SP2000T lies its amp and DAC arrangement. It features a quad-DAC system with separate channels for balanced and single-ended channels, allowing it to offer a tremendous amount of power. At the same time, it features both Korg Nutube 6P1 tube and solid-state amp options that can be run independently to customize the sound (clean and crisp for solid-state or warm and musical for the tube amp) or both at once to have the best of both worlds in a hybrid mode. It also offers three different connection options for balanced and single-ended headphones (2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm) and supports Bluetooth audio including Sony’s hi-res LDAC codec. If you prefer to listen locally, it features 256GB of internal storage for files (up to DSD512/32-bit 384kHz PCM) with up to another 1TB available with a MicroSD card. Simply put, portable DAPs don’t come much better than this. The SP2000T is a smart device with dual-band Wi-Fi, which means you’ll have access to all of your favorite streaming services, as well as use the device as an endpoint to access a Roon music server so you have access to a consolidated library of advanced-resolution audio when on your local network. It also natively supports full MQA decoding, in addition to wide format support for standalone music files, so you’ll never need to compromise on audio quality. Unfortunately, A&K did the compromising for you, as the hardware powering the software can be sluggish. This can make sorting through albums and artists on streaming services a drag, which may be especially frustrating if that’s how you like to enjoy your music.
Best for TIDAL: iBasso DX240
Why it made the cut: iBasso calls this its “pocket MQA player” and for good reason—this player supports full 16x MQA decoding to achieve peak sonic performance. Specs
Price: $949.99Screen size: 5-inch HD (1080p) panelConnectivity: Balanced (2.5mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 5.0 (including aptX HD/LDAC)Music streaming: YesOutput power: 878mW (balanced), 281mW (single-ended)Battery life: 11 hours
Pros
Full 16x MQA decodingBig and beautiful HD screenLots of power Swappable op-ampsFast performance
Cons
Extra thickness means more bulkQuite expensiveNo 4.4mm audio jackNo Google Play Store
The iBasso DX240 is an incredibly well-rounded DAP. At $949, it doesn’t come cheap, but it’s hard to argue that this player doesn’t offer a lot, particularly if you’re a regular listener of TIDAL. Unlike many competing players, the DX240 offers full 16x MQA decoding. That means Master Quality Authenticated tracks streamed over dual-band Wi-Fi will play at their full resolution with zero sacrifices: exactly what the most discerning TIDAL fans demand. Like the FiiO M11 Plus, it features a fast Snapdragon 660 processor and 4GB of RAM to ensure Android 9.0 runs smoothly, even as you’re swiping through playlists. There’s also 64GB of built-in storage and the option to add a MicroSD card for even more. If you’re listening to your local library (32-bit/768kHz PCM and native DSD512 decoding supported), you can swap over to iBasso’s MangoOS for even better performance (yes, this is a dual-OS DAP!). Even more interestingly, audio-centric tinkerers can physically swap out the amp module to tailor their sound, and iBasso sells a selection of different plug-and-play amplifier cards that go into the bottom of the player, altering its sound and sonic performance, as well as its output plugs. If you’d rather not change out actual hardware, the operating system supports your choice of graphic or parametric EQ. Despite being an impressive package, there are a few caveats to keep in mind. At 19mm thick, it’s a bit bulkier than many other DAPs, so sliding it in a pocket with a phone might be problematic. Despite running Android, this DAP also doesn’t support the Google Play Store. Instead, it comes pre-loaded with APKPure, a well-known alternative, but it’s still disappointing on a music player that costs almost a thousand dollars.
Best under $500: Shanling M3X
Why it made the cut: The Shanling M3X delivers a lot for less and, while released in 2021, remains the best choice under $500 since then. Specs
Price: $369Screen size: 4.2-inch (1280 x 768) panelConnectivity: Balanced (4.4mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 4.2 (including LDAC, LHDC, aptX HD, aptX, SBC)Music streaming: YesOutput power: 240mW (balanced), 101mW (single-ended)Battery life: 23 hours
Pros
Affordably priced for its feature set Good power outputErgonomic and easy to use Great battery life Full x16 MQA decoding
Cons
App performance can be sluggish System-wide EQ is poor
The Shanling M3X has been a fan favorite since 2021 and that doesn’t seem poised to change anytime soon. Its small 4×3-inch frame slips easily into the pocket and its well-placed controls are easily manipulated without looking. It offers support for standard 3.5mm headphones and those that use balanced 4.4mm cables (which has largely become the standard connection for balanced IEMs). The build quality is also excellent with a glass front and back (screen protector’s pre-installed) and extruded aluminum sides. Like our pick for the best overall DAP, the Shanling M3X is really about the sum of its parts. Under $500, it’s just hard to find such a good combination of features. Its offers great power output for the price, excellent build quality, and even supports the Google Play Store by default. That means you can browse Facebook or check your email while you’re enjoying your favorite songs. And download any music streaming service, of course. Where the M3X shows its more affordable price is its chipset. Unlike the pricier DAPs on this list, it only features a Snapdragon 430 chipset and 2GB of RAM, so actually browsing the web is functional but will pale in comparison to a smartphone that’s several years old. The system-wide EQ is also bog-standard Android fare, which means a noticeable volume drop and a poor degree of control. Still, these shortcomings don’t hold the M3X back very much at all. This is a player that pulls features from DAPs double and triple the price. Case in point, the M3X supports full 16x MQA decoding just like the nearly $1,000 iBasso DX240. While, because of supply chain issues, it may go in and out of stock, the M3X is worth keeping an eye on if you’re looking for the best affordable DAP.
Best budget: Hidiz AP80 Pro-X
Why it made the cut: The Hidiz AP80 Pro-X can’t stream music but it offers a highly customizable sound with lots of versatility. Specs
Price: $189.99Screen size: 2.5-inchConnectivity: Balanced (2.5mm), single-ended (3.5mm), Bluetooth 4.1 (including AAC, aptX, LDAC, UAT codecs)Music streaming: No Output power: 190mW (balanced), 70mW (single-ended)Battery life: 9 hours (balanced), 13 hours (single-ended)
Pros
Supremely pocketable Good output power at this priceVery user-friendly EQ8x MQA decoding
Cons
Plays local files only in normal modeComparatively low battery lifeNo onboard storage
The Hidiz AP80 Pro-X is unlike any other DAP on this list and is excellent value for its budget price. Coming in at $189, it is the only digital player unable to connect to major music streaming services. But don’t let that fool you, as the AP80 Pro-X has a lot going for it that makes it well worth considering for music lovers on a budget. Much of the magic of the AP80 Pro-X comes from its simplicity. It runs the HiBy OS, which does not have access to the Google Play Store but is also fast and responsive, avoiding the pitfall of sluggishness plaguing so many digital audio players. It can accept MicroSD cards up to 512GB, which is up to a couple of thousand albums (including files up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256). And it delivers those files with plenty of power across its 3.5mm single-ended (70mW) and 2.5mm balanced (190mW) connections. If you do want to listen to streaming services, you’ll need a smartphone or computer. When connected to an internet-enabled source, the AP80 Pro-X is able to act as a DAC, receiving that audio and sending it through (complete with 8x MQA decoding) to your headphones. It functions similar to a dongle DAC or a wireless Bluetooth receiver (supporting AAC, aptX, LDAC, UAT codecs) but with all of the features and enhanced sound quality of this much more sophisticated player. It also offers expansive sound customization with sliders dedicated to specific descriptors, like “bass extension” and “note thickness.” It’s a unique, user-friendly touch other DAP manufacturers could learn from. At $189, the AP80 Pro-X offers quite a lot, but it’s not without its sacrifices. It doesn’t come with onboard storage to begin uploading your files right away. The battery life is also only so-so. But with a one-hour complete recharge time, downtime shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Final thoughts on the best DAPs
Deciding on a DAP can be intimidating. With prices extending into the hundreds of dollars and beyond, the pressure to make the right decision is high. But, with a focus on features, it’s possible to find the right fit that will let you enjoy your music to the fullest on the go. The best DAPs provide room to grow and explore the hobby even further. With care, they even tend to retain resale value, giving you a one-up on that next inevitable upgrade.
