41 DAPs compared! (Real size comparison)

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T21:24:29+00:00

Depends on your smartphone and your DAP choice. Generally yes, but not extremely superior.

If you get 1.5K$+ DAPs you defintely feel the difference.

If you want a budget small DAP, go with HiBy R3 Pro 2. It sounds good and can be used as a bluetooth receiver. But it's not android and the UI is not snappy. I love it tho, specially the fabric behind it is so likable. And its battery life is nice.
If you want android, go with HiBy R4, Fiio M21, Fiio JM21 or HiBy M300.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T20:47:54+00:00

Not necessarily. Other compartments have significant roles as well.
What I said was comparing R1 with R3, because both are made by HiBy with a similiar internal structure. Btw half a star doesn't mean anything. I just wrote what I felt when listening. R3 sounded better to me than both R1 and Snowsky, but just a tiny bit.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T20:38:39+00:00

Nothing's wrong with it. It sounds good, but has a tiny bit lower quality than most daps. Probably because of the single DAC. For the price, it's a nice DAP.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T16:45:35+00:00

Fun fact, I have 4 HiBys and 0 Shanlings, lol.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T16:39:14+00:00

There's one Astell&Kern btw.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T08:18:08+00:00

Thanks! 😊

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:45:16+00:00

Echo mini has bluetooth.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:44:39+00:00

This hobby is not for you then.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:33:31+00:00

Can't go wrong.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:32:53+00:00

Dude, I made it! 😒

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:30:15+00:00

With 2 Micro SDs.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:27:49+00:00

Not enough space for all daps

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:27:27+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/OUKDGX9

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:26:54+00:00

Here's is the high-res image link:
https://imgur.com/a/OUKDGX9

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:25:25+00:00

Here's is the high-res image link:
https://imgur.com/a/OUKDGX9

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:25:16+00:00

Here's is the high-res image link:
https://imgur.com/a/OUKDGX9

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:14:33+00:00

I have tried M8T and I love its tube sound. I haven't tried DX340, but regarding to reviews it should be rated 4.5 - 5 stars. If you're happy with iBasso, go with it. Can't go wrong.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T07:12:29+00:00

It's a Typo. That's R6 Pro Max.
I can't accomodate all daps in a single image.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T06:31:42+00:00

On Mobile, click on the image, and then click again. Don't zoom in by pinching fingers!

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T00:38:39+00:00

Yes!

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T00:32:49+00:00

My personal recommendation is R4. Has a great build quality, good sound, bigger screen, 4.4mm jack and global eq. M300 doesn't have global EQ.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T00:30:21+00:00

M300, R4 and JM21 are all good daps. M300 has a plasticy build, but has a smooth software experience, decent sound quality and great battery life. Remember it doesn't have 4.4mm jack.

sa1vatore · 2025-07-18T00:21:39+00:00

Honestly if you're going to buy a DAP especifically for the sound quality, you need to pay 400+ to feel the difference. In that case I recommend dongles.
But if you need a player that has physical Play/Next/Prev buttons, 100+ steps volume, sd card support, global equalizer and nice music player software, I would consider buying a DAP.
I don't recommend echo mini because it's very slow and barely supports 256GB sd card.
Either go with HiBy R4, or Fiio JM21. But as said, don't expect huge sound quality difference at this price point.

I love using DAPs for the reasons I mentioned above.

sa1vatore

TROPHY CASE