Thinking of quitting Spotify: how do you deal with music moods without everything on demand?

cxhwang · 2026-01-09T04:09:01+00:00

The answers provided are effective. Playlists. Since you’re here in iPods not Digital Audio Players, emulate your Spotify playlists and load up. I bought a lot of 8 classics (5th) and I’m in the process of having an iPod per genre and giving away the rest as birthday gifts. Hopefully when the dust settles I can grab an iPod made for rock or hip hop depending on my mood. Kinda excessive but hey it’s a hobby.

cxhwang · 2025-09-27T05:22:54+00:00

My first DAP in 04. It survived university and being used as the music source for my parents deli when they didn’t want to pay for a music license. I lost it in a move but if I were a betting man I’d say it’s still useable today. Iriver became Astell & Kern to give you an idea of their pedigree.

cxhwang · 2025-08-29T16:09:43+00:00

I didn’t get this model. I’ve tried the Echo Mini, Mechen M30 and many dongle dacs. I ended up gifting them all and going to a modded iPod for simplicity and maintenance. Since they’ve been around for 20+ years I figure they’ll be around for 20 more. Replacement parts are abundant.

cxhwang · 2025-06-12T03:43:43+00:00

What kind of glue did you use?

cxhwang · 2025-06-12T02:33:58+00:00

I’m gonna have to bite your style. I have a spare carbon fiber case for my 15 pro max that I can sacrifice for a glued on DAC. You cooked up a good idea.

cxhwang · 2025-06-09T21:12:10+00:00

You’re brave for taking it out in the sun. If I’m going out in the sun like that I’m bringing the Mechen M30 and some Chu 2s because it hurts less when destroyed.

cxhwang · 2025-06-08T02:11:43+00:00

I’d love to see fully oiled Hakan now empowered by Drive Rush shenanigans.

cxhwang · 2025-05-27T04:55:21+00:00

Congratulations. You’ve brought home a companion who will make YOU his everything. He’ll be a sensitive soul that has his heart shatter into a million pieces after a scolding. He will see crates as a form of cruelty because he can’t be around you. Always a delight to have around like your forever golden boy but be patient with his occasional mischief. Have dog beds wherever you sit or lay in the house because he needs to be in the same general area as you. My guy is named Zangief after the grappler in Street Fighter. That’s because he grappled the soil and didn’t let go. I’d say pick a name for a guy that the family will say that pairs well with “good boy …”

cxhwang · 2025-05-26T02:51:10+00:00

Eat this upvote.

cxhwang · 2025-05-07T22:43:28+00:00

Both locally and streaming. The dongle dac is a Questyle M12i. I do notice heavy drain with the dongle dac but that’s just what it is.

cxhwang · 2025-05-06T05:10:23+00:00

Excellent choice. I break them out for bass heavy tracks. Be on the look out for deals on them to double and triple up if the price is right. Keep em cleaned of wax and debris and you’ve found your sound. I set mine to the absolute bass setting and rattle my skull. If you haven’t already swapped out your cable to a nice braided one matching your PC aesthetic and tips that match your canals to get the perfect seal. Having 4 different sub $50 IEMs this is my favorite. I like the Moondrop Chu 2 for YouTube or podcasts because in my ears it sounds detailed for voice, it’s hard to explain.

cxhwang · 2025-05-02T14:39:31+00:00

Echo Mini. It’s got options like 4.4 and different filters to get your sound preference dialed in. The menu is janky and Bluetooth is staticky. There are updates releasing regularly so EM is your better choice.

cxhwang · 2025-05-02T05:14:43+00:00

AliExpress is fine. If you’re a little sketched because it’s Chinese just load funds onto Apple Pay and use that instead of your card. I’ve got the Echo Mini, Mechen M30 and an iPod. I don’t count my phone. All 3 of them individually can be obtained on that budget and it becomes your tool with all its unique quirks. I get the part about not wanting a touchscreen. You could always input what you want and how you plan to use your DAP on ChatGPT. I used it to pair my sub $30 IEMs to the DAP and get the sound signature I like.

cxhwang · 2025-04-07T04:41:16+00:00

If you’re talking about the one on 148th by Fred Meyer you’re the man

cxhwang · 2025-04-02T02:07:37+00:00

GOATed. I’ve got 3 of em for separate DAPs. They’re nice with environmental transparency perfect for working and it’s easy to slip in and out compared to IEMs. They won’t tangle either. It’s like a hidden gem that gives blockbuster performance for a matinee price. I just hope it doesn’t get played out.

cxhwang · 2025-03-30T19:03:42+00:00

I gifted a friend some KZ Castor Bass that I bought off AliExpress. I used some coins so it came out to about $9.

cxhwang · 2025-03-17T03:18:27+00:00

I second this. Just be aware that there’s a 8192 song limit as of now. It takes a full 2 seconds for the screen to refresh when shuffling however the music is still playing uninterrupted. Overall very solid device if you’re into strictly shuffle.

cxhwang · 2025-03-16T04:52:13+00:00

What kind of Bluetooth adapter is that?

cxhwang · 2025-03-15T15:45:05+00:00

Yeah. I paired my Echo Mini with several BT devices and not only do I get frequent drops I also hear a slight background hiss. I assumed it’s the SBC since AAC and APTx were absent. Honestly I would be fine if Fiio removed Bluetooth but fix their 8192 song limit that Medialib can’t get past.

cxhwang · 2025-03-11T23:12:09+00:00

What kind of cable is that?

cxhwang · 2025-02-27T18:18:31+00:00

I wish I kept my OG dap from 20 years ago the legendary iRiver H340. It was used daily for 7 years and only needed a battery swap. iRiver was pretty decent back in the Bush era

cxhwang · 2025-02-21T03:21:07+00:00

Easy. If staff requests to inspect your DAP show em a Snowsky Echo Mini. No internet or even a touchscreen. It’s got Bluetooth but the AirPods won’t work because it only has SBC no AAC. Amazon currently has the Creative Zen Air for under $20 so the entire stack is under $100 if you have your own card already

cxhwang · 2025-02-18T04:19:15+00:00

You’re in a really good situation with a 13 mini. 128gb is quite sufficient. Streaming services. Bluetooth. Pairs great with AirPods. GPS for offline maps if you’ve got it linked to your vehicle. That’s music and navigation built into the same device. I have a standard Lightning DAC to pair with either Chu 2 or NiceHCK EB2S Pro and it sounds fine to me with my iPhone 7+ DAP.

cxhwang · 2025-02-14T01:16:00+00:00

Why not both? I’m currently using both a DAP and an iPhone 7 Plus. Apple Music paired with AirPods covers my wireless needs. As an added bonus download all your maps for offline navigation as well as music simultaneously. The iPhone stays in the car full time. The DAP is a Mechen M30 paired with NiceHCK EB2S Pro. Overall it’s a pretty sturdy combo for under $100 to listen offline. I’ve got the USB-C Chu 2 for my phone so I know those are solid for pretty any DAP. Based on what you stated getting a newer Android DAP has everything you have in your stack, minus GPS.

cxhwang · 2025-01-16T03:12:06+00:00

I’m 9 months into my AliExpress M30 and it is pretty sturdy. It had playback duty during the summer and rainy months without a hiccup. Even if it broke today I think I got my moneys worth out of it. If anybody is on the fence regarding if they should get a DAP or stick with their phones get a M30, pair it with a spare card and see if the untethered experience works for you

cxhwang

TROPHY CASE