Still looking for a review video that shows how these players actually work in the hand. I mean I appreciate specs and all, but I can read that in a written guide. Show us! How the interface works. Let's exploit the power a video so users considering can really get an idea of what these players are like in the hand.
Great video! If we dont obsessed about the latest DAPs, I think the KANN CUBE might be the best choice (for its double chips and great power), though its huge body is really heavy.
Love the Kann Cube for desktop or home system source use. But not very portable. The Kann Alpha is really the best bang for the buck for portability and versatility.
I really like the SP2000T with the Odin and find the two to be very complimentary. The Sony WM1A M2 is another excellent option if you don't care as much about tube amps.
Hi, great video. I was wondering if you know any DAPs that support multiple genre tags for mp3s and flacs? I have a Hiby R3 Pro and I can only add one genre tag to my files. Any help would be appreciated!!
Great video. Thank you. I really am close to taking a step into higher quality audio but am put off buy the life expectancy of the batteries compared to fixed home audio which will last years beyond the disposable player we have today. That’s said, life for today right? Plus how many AA batteries would be used and how long would they last haha
Hello, which player (Astell & Kern SA700 -Astell Kern Kann Alpha- Astelle A&Norma SR25)has the better sound, i.e., bass, treble, voices, speech, the best package ebend. I would be very happy to receive a few tips. My best wishes and stay healthy Of course I subscribed to your channel and added a thumb to the top
Yes, they play video and many can stream UA-cam through wireless Internet connection. iTunes... Doubt if they can handle Apple's proprietary codec and definitely not the app but if you have access to a laptop or desktop PC then there's plenty of freeware/open source software (Handbrake, Freac...) that can probably convert iTunes proprietary shite into any format as long as the tracks/albums were purchased and downloaded. If a PC can recognize an iPod as a storage device then coppy the music stored directly to the PC. Lesson to learn: own your music! Streaming and locked proprietary software needed for playback will one day cause you problems. Bandcamp is a pretty decent option that you can stream and download the music you buy as many times as you want. I find the tracks need some editing (number and name) to be recognized by some more archaic hardware (ahem. Naim audio and their horrendously expensive streamers...) but at least you're not locked into a service.
Hello. All my songs come from Amazon. Playback volume levels differ between songs. Is there a DAP that has some sort of smart volume feature or something? So I don't have to constantly adjust volume between artists or songs? Thanks for your help.
Spotify's highest streaming quality is 320kbps MP3, last we checked. So yes, Spotify is not lossless. We'd highly recommend switching to Qobuz or Tidal if you choose to go with a DAP as these devices have been made to sound their best with higher-res audio. You can also check out our Best DAPs of 2022 video here: www.moon-audio.com/videos/v/best-daps-of-2022/230081565
Great video! I was just wondering, how much of an impact will the DAP itself have depending on if my speakers are higher/lower quality? How would you say these compare to your everyday iPhone or Android? Also do you know if are these compatible with the car systems via wired connection so you can use the car's infotainment interface?
All great questions! Overall, these DAPs operate similarly to smartphones just without the calling feature. Please reach out to us here for further guidance: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us You can also check out our 2022 recommendations here: www.moon-audio.com/videos/v/best-daps-of-2022/230081565
Tough to answer easily. Depends on what we are comparing it to. Depends on the headphones. Etc etc. Every part of the chain makes a difference. The Headphones being the most important part. The AK can improve the sound on any level of headphone. But over what is the question.
And I tought modern Smarthphones are expensive, Jesus Christ. Imma wait another 30 years thank you very much, maybe when these become the same as CD-PLayers are nowdays, than maybe I could afford one
Hey Randy! So a DAC is just the chip that converts the digital data to an analog signal. DAPs are the devices that store, stream, and play music. All DAPs have a DAC - and sometimes multiple DACs for more efficient conversion and better sound quality. Hope that helps!
The android version of Apple music is available for download on all of the newer A&K DAPs including the SR25 MKII. As long as the app supports offline listening it is available on the A&K SR25 MKII!
Short and precise review. Thank You. Can you recommend a A&K dap that can stream music to my car audio system through Bluetooth and has some streaming services on it like Deezer, Amazon hi res, etc? Thank You
One issue I have is if your selling guide to these individual daps is based upon one's musical tastes/genres, then what does a connoisseur of all genres look for in a dap, the middle ground balanced ibasso?
Great question! We normally ask your main genre of listening and also ask what's more important to you? Bells and whistles of the player? Or are you a detail freak or someone who just sits back and enjoys the music? From there, we can offer specific recommendations.
@@moon-audio I'm everything in everything, sounds too generic I know but I'm hugely into Post-Rock, DSBM, SynthWave and Classical Symphonies, I'm quite the detail freak but can also just absorb myself into a great melody be it through Ambient synth or thrashy Atmospheric Black Metal. My audio tastes tend to change over the seasons, Winter is Black Metal/post rock! Audio is generally lossless HD/ DSD over Sennheiser HD598, not particularly high end equipment but I enjoy the sound. Not particularly fussed on bells and whistles, just good clean audio.
Hello, with the exception of the Sony NW-WM1Z (no Wi-Fi connectivity), all of the DAPs in this video can download the Spotify app for music streaming. You can read more in our in-depth Buying Guide here: www.moon-audio.com/dap-buying-guide
Thanks for the feedback @Kaisaratonn, but if you watch the video you'll see that there's a spectrum to the AK signatures that vary (see the graph at 3:26). They can sound from analytical to warm depending on the DAP.
Us too! Check out our Best DAPs of 2022 ( ua-cam.com/video/rTHDx_a5ukM/v-deo.html ) and our review of the new DX320 ( ua-cam.com/video/-iw7CIQjqgg/v-deo.html ) to see more awesome iBasso products. 🙂
Why are all of these so expensive I priced one at $3200 that's almost 2x as much as my S22 Ultra that does the same thing I love music but I don't get it
Superior sound quality and the ability to properly drive power hungry wired headphones. If you only listen to shitty trap with sub $/€/£ 200 Bluetooth headphones then your phone is adequate. Some phones have a pretty reasonable DAC chipset but generally don't have the output level or quality to make a better set of wired headphones sing; DAC chips aren't overly expensive, it's the analogue circuit and power delivery that soak up money - especially R&D. Most of these devices can also operate as a pretty respectable source or USB DAC as part of a home HiFi system. As with all things in the world of audio; once you get past entry level, cost becomes ever greater for minimal gain in sound quality.
@@kaankucuk1612 Can't really say for sure, it really depends on what you're needs are. In theory there should be portable DAC headphone amplifiers that should equal the better DAPs as you're getting the essential circuitry but using your phone as the storage and interface. Personally I use an Ibasso DX160 because my phone's battery life is rubbish and the slightly warm tilt with a strong bass kick helps fill out my Campfire Saber IEMs.
Hi there, while we don't discuss the ZX507 in this video, you can read more about it in our 2021 Buying Guide here: www.moon-audio.com/dap-buying-guide
If I'm leaving my home with a DAP I will never pay more than a couple hundred . If you pay more than that you' have to much money. You should be paying attention to the area were your at not the music on your $2500 dollar DAP anyway.
OK so 99.99999% of people will be playing MP3 files only! So........these are basically MP3 Players!!!.... Right? You can call them.....DAP's all you want! But they're basically an MP3 Player!!
I have sony. It's good but sounds so different that I didn't like it. It sounds so hollow, so digitally, so not musically ..just don't like it. :( And those audio single processors are terrible.
Still looking for a review video that shows how these players actually work in the hand. I mean I appreciate specs and all, but I can read that in a written guide. Show us! How the interface works. Let's exploit the power a video so users considering can really get an idea of what these players are like in the hand.
Thanks for the input! Stay tuned... 🙂
Seriously. I'm on my 6th video searching for just what you mentioned.
This video is amazing, pure quality!
Thanks for watching. Please consider subscribing! 🙂
Awesome video! This'll help a lot of people find a DAP that fits their tastes!
Thank you so much!
My three go-to DAPs are Sony NW-WM1Z, Lotoo Paw Gold Touch, and Sony NW-A55
Great video! If we dont obsessed about the latest DAPs, I think the KANN CUBE might be the best choice (for its double chips and great power), though its huge body is really heavy.
Love the Kann Cube for desktop or home system source use. But not very portable. The Kann Alpha is really the best bang for the buck for portability and versatility.
The new Kann Max gives you a portable version of the Kann Cube.
by bluetooth, do you mean use the DAP to play sound from your computer with wired IEMs? Or do you mean use TWS IEMs to play songs stored in the DAP?
Bluetooth is input only. So from a source like a phone or computer that has Bluetooth can feed the AK other audio source material.
Which goes best with the ODIN?
I really like the SP2000T with the Odin and find the two to be very complimentary. The Sony WM1A M2 is another excellent option if you don't care as much about tube amps.
Hi, great video. I was wondering if you know any DAPs that support multiple genre tags for mp3s and flacs? I have a Hiby R3 Pro and I can only add one genre tag to my files. Any help would be appreciated!!
nice presentation with graphical view. simple, cut the waste talk and efficient. well presented video.
Glad you liked it. 🙂 Please consider subscribing!
Great video. Thank you.
I really am close to taking a step into higher quality audio but am put off buy the life expectancy of the batteries compared to fixed home audio which will last years beyond the disposable player we have today.
That’s said, life for today right? Plus how many AA batteries would be used and how long would they last haha
You just have to keep a power bank around.
Hello, which player (Astell & Kern SA700 -Astell Kern Kann Alpha- Astelle A&Norma SR25)has the better sound, i.e., bass, treble, voices, speech, the best package ebend. I would be very happy to receive a few tips. My best wishes and stay healthy
Of course I subscribed to your channel and added a thumb to the top
Technically the original Walkman was an AAP. An analog audio player.
You're not wrong! We just thought it was worth noting the revolution in portable audio it started. 🙂
My gear:
-Sennheiser IE900 IEMs
-Hart Audio MMCX Balanced Custom Cables
-Astell&Kern SA700 DAP
-ADV. Eartune Fidelity Custom Eartips
Pure bliss on the go.
What about ifi dap ?
And comparing Fiio m11 plus to Ak sr25 Mk2? Whats better?
Hello, we don't sell Fiio products, but stay tuned for our SR25 MKII review which we're writing at this very moment! 🙂
Well now since the iPod is being killed off…will these play videos as well?!? And how would I transfer over my music I have on iTunes?!?
Yes, they play video and many can stream UA-cam through wireless Internet connection.
iTunes...
Doubt if they can handle Apple's proprietary codec and definitely not the app but if you have access to a laptop or desktop PC then there's plenty of freeware/open source software (Handbrake, Freac...) that can probably convert iTunes proprietary shite into any format as long as the tracks/albums were purchased and downloaded.
If a PC can recognize an iPod as a storage device then coppy the music stored directly to the PC.
Lesson to learn: own your music!
Streaming and locked proprietary software needed for playback will one day cause you problems.
Bandcamp is a pretty decent option that you can stream and download the music you buy as many times as you want.
I find the tracks need some editing (number and name) to be recognized by some more archaic hardware (ahem. Naim audio and their horrendously expensive streamers...) but at least you're not locked into a service.
Can I link this via Bluetooth to car stereo?
Hello. All my songs come from Amazon. Playback volume levels differ between songs. Is there a DAP that has some sort of smart volume feature or something? So I don't have to constantly adjust volume between artists or songs? Thanks for your help.
You have that option in the Amazon music settings.
Noob here. How much difference will this be for Spotify compared to a phone? Since Spotify streams are not lossless right?
Spotify's highest streaming quality is 320kbps MP3, last we checked. So yes, Spotify is not lossless. We'd highly recommend switching to Qobuz or Tidal if you choose to go with a DAP as these devices have been made to sound their best with higher-res audio. You can also check out our Best DAPs of 2022 video here: www.moon-audio.com/videos/v/best-daps-of-2022/230081565
Great video!
I was just wondering, how much of an impact will the DAP itself have depending on if my speakers are higher/lower quality?
How would you say these compare to your everyday iPhone or Android?
Also do you know if are these compatible with the car systems via wired connection so you can use the car's infotainment interface?
All great questions! Overall, these DAPs operate similarly to smartphones just without the calling feature. Please reach out to us here for further guidance: www.moon-audio.com/contact-us
You can also check out our 2022 recommendations here: www.moon-audio.com/videos/v/best-daps-of-2022/230081565
Tough to answer easily. Depends on what we are comparing it to. Depends on the headphones. Etc etc. Every part of the chain makes a difference. The Headphones being the most important part. The AK can improve the sound on any level of headphone. But over what is the question.
And I tought modern Smarthphones are expensive, Jesus Christ. Imma wait another 30 years thank you very much, maybe when these become the same as CD-PLayers are nowdays, than maybe I could afford one
Kinda curious, so what's the difference between a DAC & DAP portable music player?
Hey Randy! So a DAC is just the chip that converts the digital data to an analog signal. DAPs are the devices that store, stream, and play music. All DAPs have a DAC - and sometimes multiple DACs for more efficient conversion and better sound quality. Hope that helps!
@@moon-audio Thank You and appreciate the valuable info..👍🏾
Hi sir, can we download music in Apple music for offline listening in Astrell and Kern SR 25 mk 2?
The android version of Apple music is available for download on all of the newer A&K DAPs including the SR25 MKII. As long as the app supports offline listening it is available on the A&K SR25 MKII!
excellent content! Just knowing there is a new SR25mkii
Thank you! You can preorder the SR25 MKII here: www.moon-audio.com/a-norma-sr25-mkii-music-player-dap.html
Short and precise review. Thank You. Can you recommend a A&K dap that can stream music to my car audio system through Bluetooth and has some streaming services on it like Deezer, Amazon hi res, etc? Thank You
Anything with an internal speaker? Built into the device?
No there isn’t. What we would recommend is adding a Bluetooth speaker.
One issue I have is if your selling guide to these individual daps is based upon one's musical tastes/genres, then what does a connoisseur of all genres look for in a dap, the middle ground balanced ibasso?
Great question! We normally ask your main genre of listening and also ask what's more important to you? Bells and whistles of the player? Or are you a detail freak or someone who just sits back and enjoys the music? From there, we can offer specific recommendations.
@@moon-audio I'm everything in everything, sounds too generic I know but I'm hugely into Post-Rock, DSBM, SynthWave and Classical Symphonies, I'm quite the detail freak but can also just absorb myself into a great melody be it through Ambient synth or thrashy Atmospheric Black Metal. My audio tastes tend to change over the seasons, Winter is Black Metal/post rock! Audio is generally lossless HD/ DSD over Sennheiser HD598, not particularly high end equipment but I enjoy the sound. Not particularly fussed on bells and whistles, just good clean audio.
I have the same question, whichone is better if u listen to metal and darkwave songs
Can you use spotify on this devices?
Hello, with the exception of the Sony NW-WM1Z (no Wi-Fi connectivity), all of the DAPs in this video can download the Spotify app for music streaming. You can read more in our in-depth Buying Guide here: www.moon-audio.com/dap-buying-guide
Dongles smartphone setup are more flexible and long term, matching sound quality and drivability
Slick music
Still prefer something nice and light like the Sony ZX507.
Hello, we like the portability of the ZX507 too! You can read more about it in our 2021 Buying Guide here: www.moon-audio.com/dap-buying-guide
Thank you for this. Can you put your CD music on the DAP?
You're supposed to transfer your music from a computer or stream it online if your DAP has the ability to do so.
Yes you can. On AK Players you can get the AK Ripper that connects directly to it. See our video on this. ua-cam.com/video/CelwG4A8Ufo/v-deo.html
Can I use apple music on SR25 DAP?
Sorry Chillies! AK DAPs do not have iTunes or Apple music integration. :(
Could you add fiio?
So I cant stream Qobuz??
You can stream Qobuz on most of these DAPs! Was there a particular DAP you were wondering about?
Se180, kann alpha, sp2kt are not AK signature sound. Im so dissapointed that moonaudio generalize them as same sound. Omg
Thanks for the feedback @Kaisaratonn, but if you watch the video you'll see that there's a spectrum to the AK signatures that vary (see the graph at 3:26). They can sound from analytical to warm depending on the DAP.
I miss players with ACTUAL buttons. I want music, not pretty visuals
I Love iBasso 😍
Us too! Check out our Best DAPs of 2022 ( ua-cam.com/video/rTHDx_a5ukM/v-deo.html ) and our review of the new DX320 ( ua-cam.com/video/-iw7CIQjqgg/v-deo.html ) to see more awesome iBasso products. 🙂
Why are all of these so expensive I priced one at $3200 that's almost 2x as much as my S22 Ultra that does the same thing I love music but I don't get it
Superior sound quality and the ability to properly drive power hungry wired headphones.
If you only listen to shitty trap with sub $/€/£ 200 Bluetooth headphones then your phone is adequate.
Some phones have a pretty reasonable DAC chipset but generally don't have the output level or quality to make a better set of wired headphones sing;
DAC chips aren't overly expensive, it's the analogue circuit and power delivery that soak up money - especially R&D.
Most of these devices can also operate as a pretty respectable source or USB DAC as part of a home HiFi system.
As with all things in the world of audio; once you get past entry level, cost becomes ever greater for minimal gain in sound quality.
@@pauln6803 Hello, can I ask, I have high-end IEM, but I wanna buy DAP or DAC, regardless of price, which one is better in sq, dac or dap?
@@kaankucuk1612
Can't really say for sure, it really depends on what you're needs are.
In theory there should be portable DAC headphone amplifiers that should equal the better DAPs as you're getting the essential circuitry but using your phone as the storage and interface.
Personally I use an Ibasso DX160 because my phone's battery life is rubbish and the slightly warm tilt with a strong bass kick helps fill out my Campfire Saber IEMs.
Do A&K dealer in Norway ?! :(
I guess button based DAPs are no longer made?
Lotoo Paw Gold 2017.
A Sony Walkman would be an AAP. Surely....
Agreed, but there's no doubting its influence on the evolution of DAPs! 🙂
How about Sony zx507
Hi there, while we don't discuss the ZX507 in this video, you can read more about it in our 2021 Buying Guide here: www.moon-audio.com/dap-buying-guide
IBasso dx300 👍
I just wonder, if those high end - state of the art tech device will just become bricks, once the battery is dead
The batteries can be replaced by AK.
Or Sony, if you buy Sony. Many headfi members have the expertise to do so as well.
whixh iem suits sp2000T？listen to mostly vocal and jazz
Problem with all this, is the fact that they are usually out of stock...Like, come on!! lol
We have pretty much every one of them in stock at this time. 🙂
i have an Apple GEn 5 iPod. with 256GB memory. wolfson chips.
If I'm leaving my home with a DAP I will never pay more than a couple hundred . If you pay more than that you' have to much money. You should be paying attention to the area were your at not the music on your $2500 dollar DAP anyway.
$700 is considered cheap entry level
OK so 99.99999% of people will be playing MP3 files only!
So........these are basically MP3 Players!!!.... Right?
You can call them.....DAP's all you want! But they're basically an MP3 Player!!
Well mp3 players are daps so u are right
I just want a player with a good song search and music organization and cheap....
All touch screen?
L.
AK fan boy u r
I have sony. It's good but sounds so different that I didn't like it. It sounds so hollow, so digitally, so not musically ..just don't like it. :( And those audio single processors are terrible.