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I am a broke Undergrad student who loves music and hates the distraction of modern phones. I have bought the most simple flip phone I can get my hands on to reduce screen time, but comprised my ability to listen to my beloved music on the go. However, whilst on this new audiophile-DAP UA-cam rabbit hole I thought I may have found an answer: high-quality portable music without the smartphone distractions. I was so excited to learn about these interesting gadgets. This excitement has now turned into a sad surprise, as my eyes and mouth seem to widen every time the cost is shown on the screen. In addition, I have tried to find lossless music in my preferred genres and couldn't find any. My realisation is to be patient and wait until I am old enough to be able to splash out AU$1200 on something to play music on. Thank you for the video, I thought it was amazing. Just a sad day for me haha
I bought a fanny pack for the first time ever when the pandemic started. Portable I just decided I'm going totally utilitarian and I don't even care what makes me look like a dork.
Still, we have to remember assuming all of his music are lossless, for which usually they weight about 40MB to 50MB. 3TB of lossless music isn't really that much if you really think about it. However still a lot more than what the average music listener have.
When you actually need a DAP. 1. You have a large lossless library you want locally. 2. You have a pair of Cans or IEM'S that are demanding And you want them to perform at their peak. 3. Relates to 2. You don't want a dongle hanging off your phone. 4. You want to preserve the battery of your phone. 5. You want to have the system wide hi bit audio.
I'd been considering one bc I usually leave my phone out of arm's reach all day. Having no notifications/possibility for distractions seems quite nice. I've only got ~300GB of flac, and it'd also be nice to be able to just get $300 phones instead of paying through the nose for storage. I travel with no internet almost every week. And, CD quality would also be an excuse to buy good IEMs
Love that topic! I do 80% of my listening portable. I liv in an apartment with my family and after 7pm or when the kid takes a nap i can't pump up the volume of the main setup! So in the last 2 years i have gone more and more the route of protable audio (a few iem's/headphone's snd some Dongles/BT Amps). The main reasons for me: 1. I think it's such an plesure to listen everywere as intense or quiet i what to 2. it's often not that expensive and room consuming as traditional hifi 3. I get really great replay of music with fine detail 4. I like to collect thinks and ear/head phones are great for that, different designs/looks techniques, drivers and sound signature 5. It is a way to were cool looking think that produce sound for in the street as a statement, show who you are and what you love (music and musicreplay, industrial design)
Even though I'm probably not a beginner anymore, I still watch every one of your beginner videos. They're so well made, and always have me thinking about my setups.
Great Vid. The audiophile game is just insane. He presented gear worth thousands of bucks and still, in the end, he's not happy with the results. Meanwhile, I have a blon03 connected to my phone (no dac) and spotify and just enjoying music.
One thing I would say about the more expensive IEM/DAP combos is that I'd be worried sick about them being nicked/mugged etc. - I'd love to try them and have no issue with people wanting to own the high end items but for me the thought of small portable items being exposed while walking/public transport is a concern. Recently I travelled to Manchester on the train and my really lovely Dragonfly Red went missing from my table seat while I was packing my bag and my back was turned - now it either fell on the floor and I didn't see it (I always check my area before leaving ) or it was taken - in either case it was lost and I was gutted and that was only £180:00 - cannot imagine how distraught i would be if I lost a pair of Empire Ears Odin...I think I will replace the DF Red with a Chord Mojo for the very reason it is less portable and therefore more conspicuous on my travels and less likely to get "misplaced" - if anyone has a Cobalt they want to give me though I won't say no! 😁🤣
One of the great things I find is now most iems actually look cheeper than something like airpods. Unless you’re purchasing like thousand dollar iems, I highly doubt your average theif would be able to tell the price of an item. I use the etymotic er2se, which cost 100$, but I’m pretty sure If I asked people what it’s worth, they would think $15-25, like $50 at most. To me, walking around with airpods and the like is so much more risky than walking with most mid level iems
I appreciate what you said in the video. I get what you are trying to say and who this video is for. It’s for the ‘normal’ people like me. Which audio is not the top priority. Which music is what matters most. And listening to music, often time, doesn’t need to be critical. Yes, even if we are an hifi enthusiast.
There's a surprising amount of negativity in some of these comments. Can't say I agreed 100% with everything said here, but it was still an enjoyable watch and the sentiment of "use what works for you" is something we need more of in this hobby. Different people are looking for different things because we have different lives. I detest bluetooth, but I know a lot of people love it, and I understand why. In that same vein, I love my DAP, though a lot of people find them unnecessary/outdated, and again, I understand why. Different strokes.
I cannot describe to you how super-duper, incredibly USEFUL this video is to me and the questions I had around the subject matter. You answered ALL of my questions that I've been having for a long time now and used and addressed some of the audio gear that I not only used but had questions on. Stuff like the LG phones. I do have a question though and I hope you see this comment. I also own the Pixel 6 Pro phone and in my experience I have had a terrible time with dongle dacs with it. There is a constant ticking sound that I experience when using it with a Fiio Ka3 dongle versus using it on any other device. I concluded that the Pixel 6 devices using their own chip doesn't translate to the DAC well versus a Qualcomm chip in other phones. Or, it could be just me. Either way, thank you so much for this WONDERFUL video. I am immediately subscribing to your channel!
Great video . I never fail to watch your videos . This is my setup. For wired 1) Source: IPhone 12 pro with tidal masters 2) IEM: Moondrop x blessing 2 dusk. 3) Dongle DAC: Audioquest dragonfly cobalt. For wireless 1) Source: IPhone 12 pro with tidal masters 2) Wireless IEM: Sony WF-1000xm4
@@itsmetimmee he should be happy. Portions of money probably goes to him, in return I get a great iem that competes way above its price tag. So win win for both sides
Love your even-handed approach to how you listen to music. Like you said, some people will die on their hill of having the highest-end system at all times even if it means compromising convenience. They refuse to admit that it’s ok to pop in your Airpods pro for a quick jaunt to the coffeeshop--sorry I don’t want to fumble with my dongle dac + IEM’s while trying to just order a latte!
My dad was a total audio head, there's such a large aftermarket of Speakers and radios. Whether it be for portable reason or for having a good sound system in the car he would spend a lot of time at Flea Markets and Swap meets switching parts and speakers. He showed me how to appreciate music and the device that play music . I want to get a solid walkman, no sure whether to go with Japanese companies or American companies. Can anyone recommend American companies ? My dad only ever bought Asian speakers and whatnot. I'm planning on carrying a Boombox in my car just like my dad lol and maybe a Cassette player and I still have my iPods.
Unfortunately there's no such thing as "American companies" anymore. You can't even buy a pair of jeans made in USA. Unbelievable.... I don't know what the situation in Europe is now, but in the US we all live in "everything is made in China" world ...
One nuance that seems to be often lost in the obsessive subcultures of youtube is appropriateness for task. There's nothing wrong with expecting a setup to be functional and convenient - friction reducing in its everyday use. It's why we don't make family movies with an arri alexa. So I appreciate this approach. Thanks for the good information.
Great videos. I have only just stepped into this world, previously I used twenty quid earbuds via bluetooth, but even to my ears it sounded crap. I've now got decent headphones and a DAC, and am blown away. One thing I've learned is that there is no going back, even one step. My old gear sounds so bad now I wonder how I ever used it.
I’ve been using my iPhone exclusively with Apple Music, download lossless play list prior to going out, dragonfly’s cobalt with a variety of iem. The trick is to put your phone in your pocket upside-down to avoid the fold.
Sony Xperia phone is really good. I use Xperia 5II + Sennheiser IE40 and this setup rocks my world. I listen to my vinyl rips and Tidal. Always use UAP Pro. Recently I changed my sound card from 120 € Stainberg to 1700€ RME Adi 2 FS and the difference is huge listening on my rather cheap smartphone/earphone combo. I also have Fiio Q1 dac/amp. Of course it sounds better than Sony, but as You say "it is all about compromises"😉 Thanks for great videos and for sharing amazing tracks. Waiting for the next one. 😉
This is probably my favortite portable audio overview to date! I would love to see something similar in regards to car audio. That's just where my attention is at for the moment.
Love my Holocene's. And yes the Mammoth are no comparison in terms of clarity and detail. I use it with the new iFi xDSD Gryphon. Super convenient with both Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but it comes with a very short jumper cable which is fine for pocketing. And it sounds superb. Love this head-fi system.
I have a Shanling M6 pro, and Fiio Fh7 with Final Audio eartips and an Audioquest Nighthawk. Listening over Tidal and I am totally fine with it. It had a cost of ca. 1500 Euro. Not much for such good sounding music. I never had a better listening experience in my life before. I'm sure, this is not the best. But the best for me and my budget at this moment. I'm happy with it.
It's mid-2022 and I am still quite happy with my LG G7 Thinq... An awesome Android based Hi-Fi portable audio player that just happens to be a smartphone as well...
What headphones / IEMs are you using with them? Could it power the 6XX stand-alone, or would you need to mount the BTR-5 on the back or whatever for amplification? I have the LG V30 and it alone cannot get the volume loud enough by itself, leaving 20%+ volume desired. I feel the whole smartphone + further BTR-5 setup too clunky and uneesthetically-pleasing. But, idk, I'd rather have one device that includes ample support for both of those feats. Looking into the Shanling Q1, although there are obviously other factors that one must look into. Cost being in the upper quadrant for me, obviously.
I want the AirPod Pros, but simply cannot justify the price because I don't really *need* them and should first consider the gear I already own and taking advantage of that before moving onto something pricier And don't get me started with the hyper-inflation we're experiencing. Doesn't leave room for much, anyhow.
My setup for lossless audio when I’m out and about is this: any Android smartphone or an iPhone, a good IEM, and Alo Audio Pilot DAC. That's it. Works wonderful and no Bluetooth or dongle DAC involved.
I love this video so much. Thank you for giving that overview of all thing portable in HiFi. Everything I absolutely DO NOT WANT. Live you I have some rules for my portable audio: 1) NO WIRES 2) NO DONGLES 3)Must have microphones for phone calls. So yeah…when I’m on the go I’m all about convenience and portability and I will not fuss with wires, dongles or especially SD cards. I do want the best audio I can get with these rules…so for me it’s no question…AirPods Pro. These have literally become a product I will not go without. The are in my ears at all times and I have 2 pair so that one can always be charging while the others are in my ears. The sound great…maybe not the best but great. The noise cancelling and transparency modes are game changers…especially transparency mode. So that’s for me…but I still loved this video. Thanks
Thank you for this informative video. It really covers a wide range of solutions. And yes, you haters, of course you can play your music through the built-in speakers of your smartphone and then have saved 7000 euros. But the quality is in a different league. Do you also write under a video about a Porsche Taycan that you can also buy a Dacia? Please relax and enjoy the technical possibilities, even if they are not suitable for you.
I had an LG G7 and the DAC it used was just amazing. I didn't even know what a DAC was when I got it and afterwards I discovered what a huge difference it makes (even with cheaper headphones). Now I'm using an iPhone 12 and music is always greyer and more boring than before. I miss LG.
I have tried a lot of portable audio components, for about 5 years I have been looking for a combination that I like. Right now I am using - Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 + Lotto Paw S1 DAC + Android phone. And I'm very happy, I think I'll stop here. At home I listen to music on - Sennheiser HD650 + Dac/Amp Cambridge Audio CXA61 + PC and am also very pleased with the sound.
Great video. Headphones are tools… there are different tools for different jobs. As an enthusiast who still flies a lot, I leave my expensive planar headphones and dac/amp at home and grab my AirPods Pro or Sony XM4s. Bluetooth and ANC is fantastic.
Thanks. Always interesting. For me, the iPod touch with Bluetooth iem's or head phones (noise canceling) is more than enough for outside listening (out of the home). There is just to much background noise to worry about CD quality or hi-res in my opinion. As always, to each his own. For me, critical listening is done in my dedicated audio room. Unlike many, I am blessed to have one.
Same here. Once there’s background noise, the benefits of higher end audio quality are just not audible to me. Lossless and a nice sound system is great at home, but a smartphone and Bluetooth noise canceling is just right for the train or when out for a walk. Got to say I agree with John about Plexamp. It’s fabulous. All the benefits of a full lossless music library and the convenience of listening anywhere.
Glad to see you still rocking the Mojo. I took it out of a draw a couple weeks ago. Charged it up and was reminded how great it is. Powerful, well made. Its been in heavy use since. I do love my A&K sp1000m. Small and crisp. Like you I wish A&K would cave in and use a normal android operating system. Always a treat to see you post a new video. Much appreciated.
Frankly speaking when you’re out and about in the city walking there will be so much background noise you won’t be enjoying the higher fidelity sound and you won’t be focusing on it as well as your focus is elsewhere. This is when convenience counts. I think earbuds such as XM4 does the job very well. At home where i lay back and with a good coffee in hand and enjoy music with my lcd-x and D90/A90 as it should be as there is no distractions
I’ve been trying Roon Arc with my iPhone when out and about and it’s been a blast. I can now get access to anything in my Roon library which includes my local library and Tidal/Qobuz. You have to do a video. Kudos to Roon for getting this to work. BTW, the music is CD Quality and above.
A lot of people consider that the Apple dongle gives a very good, clean, performance, even for expensive IEMS. It really must be considered. I bought the EU version for my Samsung, and it really was shitty because of the volume limitation. I just returned it, even if it was really cheap
i think everyone agrees that the first and most important component to a good audio experience is some quality headphones. everything else can come later as time, technology and money comes and goes. But a really good pair of headphones last forever.
Point well taken. I have dropped Tidal et al for the convenience of Apple Music played on my iPhone via AAC Bluetooth. I find the plethora of codecs and toys cumbersome. And they get in the way of the music. As for SD cards, total pain in the ass. My Fiio players were junk and if you lose the cards you can’t go back later to retrieve songs from HDTracks, which sucks. BTW, I grew up in the ‘60s immersed in the sound of an inexpensive portable Magnavox stereo. It made me love music. I later had quad etc but now feel I want the best sound and simplicity. The rabbit hole is deep. I want out
For me it’s iPod 5.5 I have 2 of them it sounds a lot better than my iPhone 12 Pro Max. You are able to upgrade to flash storage and bigger battery and it’s not Android. I don’t have 3TB of music. Everything is imported to CD quality.
I'm listening to music using LDAC or LHDC all the time now, I rarely bother connecting with usb, with the type of music I listen I don't notice enough of a difference to bother, I don't claim there is no difference. The Sony wf-xm4 buds and the IFI Go Blu are the best things I bought last year.
I just got the Hiby R3 Pro Saber and as an iPhone user and Sony WF-1000XM4 user, it’s great. It can play TIDAL via Wi-Fi (and personal hotspot) without the iPhone and it can act as a USB DAC-to-LDAC with the iPhone. I fitted a MagSafe ring to the back of the included case and it’s great. I use it with a FiiO LT-LT1 cable. It also has a balanced port for my FiiO IEM’s. I’m really pleased with the convenience and versatility. Affordable too. Small device that does it all. Not to mention it does AirPlay over wi-fi too but that may not be lossless at this time, I’m not sure. I’ll stick to the cable until I am,
Audiophiles really do like to complicate things. I have been a mixing engineer and producer for 12 years and not even I want to walk around with "studio quality" music everywhere. Airpods Pro is more than good enough.
I agree that LDAC does not blow anything out of the water. I suppose it ticks the 'lossless' box if you have the equipment and the ear to discern it. I'm currently trialling an MMCX LDAC module from Hiby and must admit I struggle to tell the difference between cabled and wireless with my RHA T20is. Probably a good match.
Thanks again John for an informative, watchable and fun video. Even though I'll never be in the market for most of these products, I do like your style
great video! as much as i love my desktop system at home i feel like i barely use it because I never have time when i'm home. portable audio has been a real blessing. 90% of my listening is done with my kann alpha and u12t's. the sound is a so good that i hardly ever use my wf-1000xm4 bt buds. at the gym i'll use my dap with a pair of etymotic er4p. yes it's not nearly as convenient as a pair of wireless earbuds but the sound is so much better. i use a runners fanny pack with the dap and for the most part it stays out of the way and is great. for airplanes i bought a cheap pair of hearing protection earmuffs that i use over my IEMs. not the most elegant solution but it works quite well. like you said portable audio is about compromises and I feel compromises are worth while for the sake of beautiful sound.
My desktop system is directly wired into my PC and is generally the only thing I connect the headphones to so I happily get to use it regularly, if only from intentional lack options. And for portable I just use a Fiio M9 and a selection of IEMs so I get to pick and choose what I feel like on the go without going to overboard with stuff like portable amps and ect. Options are only good until they start making it too much effort to use any of them, IMO
So, I like this video because it is a good reminder that, as with all things audio(phile), you have to be ready to ask--when is good enough, good enough? John's comment about compromise rings true, and the good news is that part of the fun is identifying different solutions for different use cases. I really like the convenience of my airpod pros, but if i have the time and room to carry stuff, the mojo and Beyer T5's are a great solution. It's nice to be able to choose.
I very much enjoy the in depth analysis and reasoning on benefits and drawbacks of these portable audio systems. While the high end devices will never be an option for me the comparisons between such unaffordable systems is very educational and helps me in my lower end purchases when deciding what to buy. Car enthusiasts read reviews on Maserati cars never intending to purchase one but it is a thrill to see them in action.
Sony’s NW-A45 DAP and the included WIRED IEMs that did NC was a serious choice. They stopped selling the model with the IEMs, I have no clue why, but they were legendary.
Noise Cancelling would be the most important thing for on the go anyway... Do you really need the highest quality audio on the plane or the bus, or walking around the supermarket? Cheap in-ears and my V40, or noise cancelling over ears are fine for me
Good you added that comment at the end. Even hospital consultants can end up in hospital as a result of wearing headphones whilst cycling. One was in a coma. Unbelievable.
Just put the phone with cables & dac amps in a small shoulder bag and control everything with an apple watch. Obviously the phone needs to be an iPhone for this to work but this works sooo great.
Thank you for another great video. I love coming back to your channel and binging all the videos I have missed. You do a great service to the community.
something you could do to make the mojo a bit more portable is to make custom cabling, I've made my own usb cables before and I think that could be the answer you're looking for, you can just splice the cables together, or, if you aren't big into soldering, you could get a friend to do it or something which would make the cable a lot shorter and would make it so you don't need to buy so many adapter
This is the best and most objective summary of the various options I’ve ever seen. The top end AK players sound amazing with suitably wallet-crushing IEMs, which just about keeps us on side, but the rubbish UI and appalling WiFi connectivity let that side down. After Apple finally got their act together with lossless, I dug my Chord Hugo out of the cupboard where it had been languishing unloved, and use it with my iPad for Apple Music and Tidal. Horrendous in terms of cables but sounds amazing with some good over-ear ‘phones. I will be glad when the wireless IEMs can do lossless straight from a phone. And GREAT point about being on a plane - you can have the best IEMs and AK player and won’t enjoy it because of the background noise. Subscribed.
I just use a wired earbuds with 3.5mm adapter to usb c and, a 4.4mm to 3.5mm, to connect to whichever devices I have with me. Or just use both adapters at the same time.
I'd agree. Its quality vs. size/weight/bulk/cost/complexity IMHO. Better equipment, more powerful (amp), better ears (inexpensive mic/headsets, IEM's, Mouse Ears, etc). Not even mentioning more batteries and battery charging, plus *battery replacement* issues which can be a PITA. As the audio gets better, the pain is greater on most of these levels. I think many DAP's are going for replacement of home HI-FI gear based on the premise of a possible future desire that someone "could" take it with them. Who is going to carry a Phone, DAP, Amp, and two pairs of headphones and possible cables to charge and connect them? Only the serious lover of that, which may only be a minority market. Most use these I think as their own private HIFI stereo system at home, in their rooms, etc. Your points are 'spot' on. ;-) Heck if I put a DAP and a Phone in my pockets, my trousers are practically falling off from the weight and I start to look like Batman. Try adding a portable amp plus good IEM's in addition to regular phone headset and its getting serious. Add a wallet, car/home keys, and I start to need a carpenters belt practically.
after i started getting sick of my 10 adapters and dacs for my iphone so i decided to rip my cds with exact audio copy and put it on my ipod classic... sounds amazing and it's kind of enough for "on the go terms" in my case
I’ve been doing similar with my CDs for a while (ripping to ALAC). Last year I modded the iPod to put in a 1TB drive and have been able to keep my whole library on there. It was a fun project.
I have an inexpensive Sony NW-A55L and a pair of AKG headphones. I have inserted a 1TB into the Sony and all my CDs in .wav format are on it. It does me. Thousands of euros for portable audio? My friends can't believe I've spent almost two-thousand pounds for my home Wi-Fi set-up. A different world.
Thank you, John! One more great episode! If I can wish one more thing, related to this theme: Some of the equipment you showed us had 2,5mm BALANCED connections. I have a Pioneer XDP-300R DAP, supporting this 4-pin (TRRS-jack) connection and Shure SE535 (there is a couple of even more expensive IEM's, from Shure, as well....) - absolutely worth testing. With an appropriate cable (wich I have not found), the listening could have been done in "balanced mode" - witch in this scenario means using 4-conductor cable from the 2,5mm jack to the in-ear elements. Just like cabling loudspeakers. Have you tested this way to connect the in-ears? Does this make any difference vs. use of the standard 3-pole 3,5mm jack?
As windchill is a factor here in CZ, I'm currently using RealMe X2 Pro, iBasso DC03 and the Austrian Audio Hi-X55's (ear muffs). Source is USB Audio Play or Plexamp.
There is one category that might not have been mentioned: micro-DAP that is also a dongle DAC. I carry my Fiio M5 everywhere becaus it's really small. It can be used as a standalone player connected to wired IEMs or Ldac Bluetooth earphones. It can receive a Bluetooth signal from my phone or it can act as a USB DAC. And I can copy music to and from my smartphone.
Thanks for bringing up the Plex server! That will make things very convenient when internet is available, which is basically most places with a cellular network signal. I used to run an FTP server at home, but it's a clunky solution. For portable music, I use my cellphone - either with the FiiO BTR5 2021 and IEMs or an Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm dongle and IEMs. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for when I just want convenience and active noise canceling. I was thinking of using an old iPhone 6 as basically an iPod Touch, but its limited storage capacity and battery life is not going to be great.
Personally, I'll just take the convenience of bluetooth devices like the Airpods Pros over needing to carry an extra device and wired earbuds. They're certainly good enough to still enjoy music/podcasts and I don't NEED to listen to hifi audio at every second. I suppose in the end it makes me appreciate my home setup more as well.
I enjoy your videos because you do a great job of explaining what is possible, not necessarily what is best. I don't have the budget for a lot of the gear that you review, but everyone has their own budget and opinion of what "sounds good". On the topic of portable gear, I am excited to see what the future holds for Aptx adaptive equipped phones and earphones.
For me the definite solution for portable audio is a set of true wireless adaptors like the fiio utws5. Not mentioned in the video but probably the best of both worlds.
I’m using a Walkman a40 series with Grado SR60X I just go buy cd’s and rip them when I get home with Sonys media center app that way it grabs all the album info and art while it rips
@@ukestudio3002 cds sound perfectly fine to me but I would like to try sacd someday but I love that with cds I can get them for pocket change. I did collect vinyl but it sucked having only the budget to afford 1 vinyl a month and it may or may not be warped beyond use so I swapped to cd and was able to start a decent library just off my parents cds to fill that Walkman
Fiio btr7 and the KZ zsn pro X is a go to pair of earphones. the synergy of them just plays hand in hand. the KZ lack a bit of bass but Fiio does its job to really brighten up the places and it feels so good.
UPDATE - PLEASE READ *before commenting*!
1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio UA-cam community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video
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The only way 🎉🎉
“portable audio for beginners”
*pulls out 7000$ setup*
I am a broke Undergrad student who loves music and hates the distraction of modern phones. I have bought the most simple flip phone I can get my hands on to reduce screen time, but comprised my ability to listen to my beloved music on the go. However, whilst on this new audiophile-DAP UA-cam rabbit hole I thought I may have found an answer: high-quality portable music without the smartphone distractions. I was so excited to learn about these interesting gadgets. This excitement has now turned into a sad surprise, as my eyes and mouth seem to widen every time the cost is shown on the screen. In addition, I have tried to find lossless music in my preferred genres and couldn't find any. My realisation is to be patient and wait until I am old enough to be able to splash out AU$1200 on something to play music on.
Thank you for the video, I thought it was amazing. Just a sad day for me haha
Look for a second Fiio X3 II, X5 II or X3 III. Way less than $1200 and excellent audio quality with flac files.
You can carry all that stuff in the Summer if you wear a fanny pack, which is quite fashionable in Germany along with wearing socks and sandals.
True but hitting a racist stereotype
I use a fanny pack while jogging. It is great for dac+phone combo.
I bought a fanny pack for the first time ever when the pandemic started. Portable I just decided I'm going totally utilitarian and I don't even care what makes me look like a dork.
They don’t make backpacks there?
@@emreisiklar how come you think wearing a bag is racist?
3 terabytes of music is crazy 💀
Still, we have to remember assuming all of his music are lossless, for which usually they weight about 40MB to 50MB. 3TB of lossless music isn't really that much if you really think about it. However still a lot more than what the average music listener have.
Yeah, no shit, like a week of torrenting
Bro downloaded the entirety of spotify 💀
When you actually need a DAP.
1. You have a large lossless library you want locally.
2. You have a pair of Cans or IEM'S that are demanding
And you want them to perform at their peak.
3. Relates to 2. You don't want a dongle hanging off your phone.
4. You want to preserve the battery of your phone.
5. You want to have the system wide hi bit audio.
I'd been considering one bc I usually leave my phone out of arm's reach all day.
Having no notifications/possibility for distractions seems quite nice.
I've only got ~300GB of flac, and it'd also be nice to be able to just get $300 phones instead of paying through the nose for storage. I travel with no internet almost every week. And, CD quality would also be an excuse to buy good IEMs
@@evank8459 buy a used lgv20/v30 + 256 gb sd card
Love that topic! I do 80% of my listening portable. I liv in an apartment with my family and after 7pm or when the kid takes a nap i can't pump up the volume of the main setup! So in the last 2 years i have gone more and more the route of protable audio (a few iem's/headphone's snd some Dongles/BT Amps).
The main reasons for me:
1. I think it's such an plesure to listen everywere as intense or quiet i what to
2. it's often not that expensive and room consuming as traditional hifi
3. I get really great replay of music with fine detail
4. I like to collect thinks and ear/head phones are great for that, different designs/looks techniques, drivers and sound signature
5. It is a way to were cool looking think that produce sound for in the street as a statement, show who you are and what you love (music and musicreplay, industrial design)
It is rare to see a balanced opinion that is still somewhat realistic in the Audio space :) Keep it up!
Even though I'm probably not a beginner anymore, I still watch every one of your beginner videos. They're so well made, and always have me thinking about my setups.
Great Vid. The audiophile game is just insane. He presented gear worth thousands of bucks and still, in the end, he's not happy with the results. Meanwhile, I have a blon03 connected to my phone (no dac) and spotify and just enjoying music.
Bankruptcy in the western world will allow some realignment...
Rule 1 for an audiophile : Enjoy the music!
Yes, that's the way!
"What we gain in breath, we lose in depth" wow, simple words to describe the true meaning of a trade-off.
One thing I would say about the more expensive IEM/DAP combos is that I'd be worried sick about them being nicked/mugged etc. - I'd love to try them and have no issue with people wanting to own the high end items but for me the thought of small portable items being exposed while walking/public transport is a concern. Recently I travelled to Manchester on the train and my really lovely Dragonfly Red went missing from my table seat while I was packing my bag and my back was turned - now it either fell on the floor and I didn't see it (I always check my area before leaving ) or it was taken - in either case it was lost and I was gutted and that was only £180:00 - cannot imagine how distraught i would be if I lost a pair of Empire Ears Odin...I think I will replace the DF Red with a Chord Mojo for the very reason it is less portable and therefore more conspicuous on my travels and less likely to get "misplaced" - if anyone has a Cobalt they want to give me though I won't say no! 😁🤣
I dress all my fancy stuff up to look like crap. Much safer.
I avoid travelling to Manchester. 😉
One of the great things I find is now most iems actually look cheeper than something like airpods. Unless you’re purchasing like thousand dollar iems, I highly doubt your average theif would be able to tell the price of an item. I use the etymotic er2se, which cost 100$, but I’m pretty sure If I asked people what it’s worth, they would think $15-25, like $50 at most. To me, walking around with airpods and the like is so much more risky than walking with most mid level iems
I appreciate what you said in the video. I get what you are trying to say and who this video is for. It’s for the ‘normal’ people like me. Which audio is not the top priority. Which music is what matters most. And listening to music, often time, doesn’t need to be critical. Yes, even if we are an hifi enthusiast.
The audiophile community is UNHINGED. Glad to know that no matter what audio setup I use, I always have an opportunity to upgrade.
Audiophile is old vinyl. Anything else is 🤢
@@thelastofthemonitos6994 Old vinyl is as far as you can get to lossless quality lmao. How is that AudioPhile?
It's all diminishing returns, you only need to spend a little bit to get most of the way there.
There's a surprising amount of negativity in some of these comments. Can't say I agreed 100% with everything said here, but it was still an enjoyable watch and the sentiment of "use what works for you" is something we need more of in this hobby. Different people are looking for different things because we have different lives. I detest bluetooth, but I know a lot of people love it, and I understand why. In that same vein, I love my DAP, though a lot of people find them unnecessary/outdated, and again, I understand why. Different strokes.
I cannot describe to you how super-duper, incredibly USEFUL this video is to me and the questions I had around the subject matter. You answered ALL of my questions that I've been having for a long time now and used and addressed some of the audio gear that I not only used but had questions on. Stuff like the LG phones. I do have a question though and I hope you see this comment. I also own the Pixel 6 Pro phone and in my experience I have had a terrible time with dongle dacs with it. There is a constant ticking sound that I experience when using it with a Fiio Ka3 dongle versus using it on any other device. I concluded that the Pixel 6 devices using their own chip doesn't translate to the DAC well versus a Qualcomm chip in other phones. Or, it could be just me. Either way, thank you so much for this WONDERFUL video. I am immediately subscribing to your channel!
At the end of the day, all it boils down to is which set up makes computer love sound the best ❤
It’s crazy to think cd Walkmans are obsolete and were so eager to get cd quality audio on the go! Bring them back!
Great video . I never fail to watch your videos . This is my setup.
For wired
1) Source: IPhone 12 pro with tidal masters
2) IEM: Moondrop x blessing 2 dusk.
3) Dongle DAC: Audioquest dragonfly cobalt.
For wireless
1) Source: IPhone 12 pro with tidal masters
2) Wireless IEM: Sony WF-1000xm4
Crinacle will be happy
@@itsmetimmee he should be happy. Portions of money probably goes to him, in return I get a great iem that competes way above its price tag. So win win for both sides
Good video. I bought some entry level stuff for my PC but realized I’m doing 99% of music listening on my phone. This is what I needed.
Same man 👨
Cable is unbeatable
3 TB of Offline Music, goals TBH
I was thinking - a 1TB SD Card should do. Until he mentioned he has 3TB...
Love your even-handed approach to how you listen to music. Like you said, some people will die on their hill of having the highest-end system at all times even if it means compromising convenience. They refuse to admit that it’s ok to pop in your Airpods pro for a quick jaunt to the coffeeshop--sorry I don’t want to fumble with my dongle dac + IEM’s while trying to just order a latte!
My dad was a total audio head, there's such a large aftermarket of Speakers and radios. Whether it be for portable reason or for having a good sound system in the car he would spend a lot of time at Flea Markets and Swap meets switching parts and speakers. He showed me how to appreciate music and the device that play music .
I want to get a solid walkman, no sure whether to go with Japanese companies or American companies. Can anyone recommend American companies ? My dad only ever bought Asian speakers and whatnot. I'm planning on carrying a Boombox in my car just like my dad lol and maybe a Cassette player and I still have my iPods.
Unfortunately there's no such thing as "American companies" anymore. You can't even buy a pair of jeans made in USA. Unbelievable.... I don't know what the situation in Europe is now, but in the US we all live in "everything is made in China" world ...
One nuance that seems to be often lost in the obsessive subcultures of youtube is appropriateness for task. There's nothing wrong with expecting a setup to be functional and convenient - friction reducing in its everyday use. It's why we don't make family movies with an arri alexa. So I appreciate this approach. Thanks for the good information.
Hey man.
Thanks for doing this.
Signed,
Everyone
Great videos. I have only just stepped into this world, previously I used twenty quid earbuds via bluetooth, but even to my ears it sounded crap. I've now got decent headphones and a DAC, and am blown away. One thing I've learned is that there is no going back, even one step. My old gear sounds so bad now I wonder how I ever used it.
I’ve been using my iPhone exclusively with Apple Music, download lossless play list prior to going out, dragonfly’s cobalt with a variety of iem. The trick is to put your phone in your pocket upside-down to avoid the fold.
This was fun to watch. Didn't realise I watched such a long video with no breaks. Your style is very captivating Darko.
Sony Xperia phone is really good. I use Xperia 5II + Sennheiser IE40 and this setup rocks my world. I listen to my vinyl rips and Tidal. Always use UAP Pro. Recently I changed my sound card from 120 € Stainberg to 1700€ RME Adi 2 FS and the difference is huge listening on my rather cheap smartphone/earphone combo.
I also have Fiio Q1 dac/amp. Of course it sounds better than Sony, but as You say "it is all about compromises"😉
Thanks for great videos and for sharing amazing tracks. Waiting for the next one. 😉
This is probably my favortite portable audio overview to date! I would love to see something similar in regards to car audio. That's just where my attention is at for the moment.
Man I just want to sit and experience music with Darko 🙌🏾
These kinds of "where do I start?" videos are so crucial.
my portable audio solution is a 5th gen iPod
I can't put that much into IEM but I am always happy for someone who does. I enjoy seeing them enjoy audio.
I think we need some shots of John in rainy Berlin at night. Darko Noir.
Love my Holocene's. And yes the Mammoth are no comparison in terms of clarity and detail.
I use it with the new iFi xDSD Gryphon. Super convenient with both Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but it comes with a very short jumper cable which is fine for pocketing. And it sounds superb. Love this head-fi system.
Love how you covered every range of listening. I never new the “summit” of portable listening. I could see me using those $4,000 decks in my truck
I have a Shanling M6 pro, and Fiio Fh7 with Final Audio eartips and an Audioquest Nighthawk. Listening over Tidal and I am totally fine with it. It had a cost of ca. 1500 Euro. Not much for such good sounding music. I never had a better listening experience in my life before. I'm sure, this is not the best. But the best for me and my budget at this moment. I'm happy with it.
It's mid-2022 and I am still quite happy with my LG G7 Thinq... An awesome Android based Hi-Fi portable audio player that just happens to be a smartphone as well...
What headphones / IEMs are you using with them? Could it power the 6XX stand-alone, or would you need to mount the BTR-5 on the back or whatever for amplification? I have the LG V30 and it alone cannot get the volume loud enough by itself, leaving 20%+ volume desired. I feel the whole smartphone + further BTR-5 setup too clunky and uneesthetically-pleasing. But, idk, I'd rather have one device that includes ample support for both of those feats. Looking into the Shanling Q1, although there are obviously other factors that one must look into. Cost being in the upper quadrant for me, obviously.
I want the AirPod Pros, but simply cannot justify the price because I don't really *need* them and should first consider the gear I already own and taking advantage of that before moving onto something pricier And don't get me started with the hyper-inflation we're experiencing. Doesn't leave room for much, anyhow.
Same, it is very convenient.
@@rustyyoung7980Open Back Headphones like the 6xx are meant to be used with DAC/Amp Stack
My setup for lossless audio when I’m out and about is this: any Android smartphone or an iPhone, a good IEM, and Alo Audio Pilot DAC. That's it. Works wonderful and no Bluetooth or dongle DAC involved.
Magnificent overview.
I love this video so much. Thank you for giving that overview of all thing portable in HiFi. Everything I absolutely DO NOT WANT. Live you I have some rules for my portable audio: 1) NO WIRES 2) NO DONGLES 3)Must have microphones for phone calls. So yeah…when I’m on the go I’m all about convenience and portability and I will not fuss with wires, dongles or especially SD cards. I do want the best audio I can get with these rules…so for me it’s no question…AirPods Pro. These have literally become a product I will not go without. The are in my ears at all times and I have 2 pair so that one can always be charging while the others are in my ears. The sound great…maybe not the best but great. The noise cancelling and transparency modes are game changers…especially transparency mode. So that’s for me…but I still loved this video. Thanks
Thank you for this informative video. It really covers a wide range of solutions. And yes, you haters, of course you can play your music through the built-in speakers of your smartphone and then have saved 7000 euros. But the quality is in a different league. Do you also write under a video about a Porsche Taycan that you can also buy a Dacia? Please relax and enjoy the technical possibilities, even if they are not suitable for you.
Lol I love my Dacia tho!
I realized I can listen anything that you explain and you have far more the best reviews on youtube. oh i also would love to have your playlists…
I had an LG G7 and the DAC it used was just amazing. I didn't even know what a DAC was when I got it and afterwards I discovered what a huge difference it makes (even with cheaper headphones). Now I'm using an iPhone 12 and music is always greyer and more boring than before. I miss LG.
Get an LG. The V60 thinq has a quad dac and is less than $200.
I love how you went over every streaming service except Apple Music, which I'm locked in to.
how do you use it on Windows / Android? You don't, that's the answer.
@@simontranter1950 you can use it on Android, I think it's probably the best option for losless/hi-res audio right now.
I have tried a lot of portable audio components, for about 5 years I have been looking for a combination that I like. Right now I am using - Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 + Lotto Paw S1 DAC + Android phone. And I'm very happy, I think I'll stop here. At home I listen to music on - Sennheiser HD650 + Dac/Amp Cambridge Audio CXA61 + PC and am also very pleased with the sound.
Great video.
Headphones are tools… there are different tools for different jobs.
As an enthusiast who still flies a lot, I leave my expensive planar headphones and dac/amp at home and grab my AirPods Pro or Sony XM4s. Bluetooth and ANC is fantastic.
Thanks. Always interesting. For me, the iPod touch with Bluetooth iem's or head phones (noise canceling) is more than enough for outside listening (out of the home). There is just to much background noise to worry about CD quality or hi-res in my opinion. As always, to each his own. For me, critical listening is done in my dedicated audio room. Unlike many, I am blessed to have one.
Same here. Once there’s background noise, the benefits of higher end audio quality are just not audible to me.
Lossless and a nice sound system is great at home, but a smartphone and Bluetooth noise canceling is just right for the train or when out for a walk.
Got to say I agree with John about Plexamp. It’s fabulous. All the benefits of a full lossless music library and the convenience of listening anywhere.
Glad to see you still rocking the Mojo. I took it out of a draw a couple weeks ago. Charged it up and was reminded how great it is. Powerful, well made. Its been in heavy use since. I do love my A&K sp1000m. Small and crisp. Like you I wish A&K would cave in and use a normal android operating system. Always a treat to see you post a new video. Much appreciated.
Frankly speaking when you’re out and about in the city walking there will be so much background noise you won’t be enjoying the higher fidelity sound and you won’t be focusing on it as well as your focus is elsewhere. This is when convenience counts. I think earbuds such as XM4 does the job very well.
At home where i lay back and with a good coffee in hand and enjoy music with my lcd-x and D90/A90 as it should be as there is no distractions
I’ve been trying Roon Arc with my iPhone when out and about and it’s been a blast. I can now get access to anything in my Roon library which includes my local library and Tidal/Qobuz. You have to do a video. Kudos to Roon for getting this to work. BTW, the music is CD Quality and above.
A lot of people consider that the Apple dongle gives a very good, clean, performance, even for expensive IEMS.
It really must be considered.
I bought the EU version for my Samsung, and it really was shitty because of the volume limitation. I just returned it, even if it was really cheap
Got a surprise with my Moukey MPHA1 DAC today, a lightening to USB C cable. Self powered and works great with my iPad.
i think everyone agrees that the first and most important component to a good audio experience is some quality headphones. everything else can come later as time, technology and money comes and goes. But a really good pair of headphones last forever.
Love your style and your vids; Keep them coming!! Sparks in Daytona
21:08 one should start to hear this first, The most important part of this video. Then start hearting from start.
Point well taken. I have dropped Tidal et al for the convenience of Apple Music played on my iPhone via AAC Bluetooth. I find the plethora of codecs and toys cumbersome. And they get in the way of the music. As for SD cards, total pain in the ass. My Fiio players were junk and if you lose the cards you can’t go back later to retrieve songs from HDTracks, which sucks. BTW, I grew up in the ‘60s immersed in the sound of an inexpensive portable Magnavox stereo. It made me love music. I later had quad etc but now feel I want the best sound and simplicity. The rabbit hole is deep. I want out
For me it’s iPod 5.5 I have 2 of them it sounds a lot better than my iPhone 12 Pro Max. You are able to upgrade to flash storage and bigger battery and it’s not Android. I don’t have 3TB of music. Everything is imported to CD quality.
I'm listening to music using LDAC or LHDC all the time now, I rarely bother connecting with usb, with the type of music I listen I don't notice enough of a difference to bother, I don't claim there is no difference. The Sony wf-xm4 buds and the IFI Go Blu are the best things I bought last year.
Great video. Can you mention in the future how much each dongle DAC impact the phone battery life?
I just got the Hiby R3 Pro Saber and as an iPhone user and Sony WF-1000XM4 user, it’s great. It can play TIDAL via Wi-Fi (and personal hotspot) without the iPhone and it can act as a USB DAC-to-LDAC with the iPhone. I fitted a MagSafe ring to the back of the included case and it’s great. I use it with a FiiO LT-LT1 cable. It also has a balanced port for my FiiO IEM’s. I’m really pleased with the convenience and versatility. Affordable too. Small device that does it all. Not to mention it does AirPlay over wi-fi too but that may not be lossless at this time, I’m not sure. I’ll stick to the cable until I am,
Audiophiles really do like to complicate things. I have been a mixing engineer and producer for 12 years and not even I want to walk around with "studio quality" music everywhere. Airpods Pro is more than good enough.
@generalframework who is who to say who I'd and isn't a real engineer
@generalframework you're point is?
Have an audiophile buddy, the arrogance that comes out of him when he talks music is unbelievable
Airpods are not the move get some damn jabras that actually have great quality
This man said airports pro 😂😂 😂😂😂😂😂😂
I agree that LDAC does not blow anything out of the water. I suppose it ticks the 'lossless' box if you have the equipment and the ear to discern it.
I'm currently trialling an MMCX LDAC module from Hiby and must admit I struggle to tell the difference between cabled and wireless with my RHA T20is. Probably a good match.
This is good for if you have kids and want them to listen to music this is the best way I don’t think kids need phones
GOOD OBSERVATION
Thanks again John for an informative, watchable and fun video. Even though I'll never be in the market for most of these products, I do like your style
great video! as much as i love my desktop system at home i feel like i barely use it because I never have time when i'm home. portable audio has been a real blessing. 90% of my listening is done with my kann alpha and u12t's. the sound is a so good that i hardly ever use my wf-1000xm4 bt buds. at the gym i'll use my dap with a pair of etymotic er4p. yes it's not nearly as convenient as a pair of wireless earbuds but the sound is so much better. i use a runners fanny pack with the dap and for the most part it stays out of the way and is great. for airplanes i bought a cheap pair of hearing protection earmuffs that i use over my IEMs. not the most elegant solution but it works quite well. like you said portable audio is about compromises and I feel compromises are worth while for the sake of beautiful sound.
My desktop system is directly wired into my PC and is generally the only thing I connect the headphones to so I happily get to use it regularly, if only from intentional lack options.
And for portable I just use a Fiio M9 and a selection of IEMs so I get to pick and choose what I feel like on the go without going to overboard with stuff like portable amps and ect.
Options are only good until they start making it too much effort to use any of them, IMO
So, I like this video because it is a good reminder that, as with all things audio(phile), you have to be ready to ask--when is good enough, good enough? John's comment about compromise rings true, and the good news is that part of the fun is identifying different solutions for different use cases. I really like the convenience of my airpod pros, but if i have the time and room to carry stuff, the mojo and Beyer T5's are a great solution. It's nice to be able to choose.
I use a Sony Xperia 5 March III and sound great Worked headphones 👍To my Sony X1000M3 headphones 👌
I very much enjoy the in depth analysis and reasoning on benefits and drawbacks of these portable audio systems. While the high end devices will never be an option for me the comparisons between such unaffordable systems is very educational and helps me in my lower end purchases when deciding what to buy. Car enthusiasts read reviews on Maserati cars never intending to purchase one but it is a thrill to see them in action.
It would be best if my smartphone can have a high quality DAC build in. Don't have to worry about different dongles.
LG smartphone have decent dac and amp built in them, but it's pretty much none right now, since they basically quit making smartphone
Sony’s NW-A45 DAP and the included WIRED IEMs that did NC was a serious choice. They stopped selling the model with the IEMs, I have no clue why, but they were legendary.
Noise Cancelling would be the most important thing for on the go anyway... Do you really need the highest quality audio on the plane or the bus, or walking around the supermarket? Cheap in-ears and my V40, or noise cancelling over ears are fine for me
Your videos have now a different attitude. You seem more relaxed and happy about your assesments. I really like it.
The only 2 phones who actually cared about Hi Fi audio where LG and HTC and they both gone now
Good you added that comment at the end. Even hospital consultants can end up in hospital as a result of wearing headphones whilst cycling. One was in a coma. Unbelievable.
Just put the phone with cables & dac amps in a small shoulder bag and control everything with an apple watch.
Obviously the phone needs to be an iPhone for this to work but this works sooo great.
Thank you for another great video. I love coming back to your channel and binging all the videos I have missed. You do a great service to the community.
something you could do to make the mojo a bit more portable is to make custom cabling, I've made my own usb cables before and I think that could be the answer you're looking for, you can just splice the cables together, or, if you aren't big into soldering, you could get a friend to do it or something which would make the cable a lot shorter and would make it so you don't need to buy so many adapter
This is the best and most objective summary of the various options I’ve ever seen. The top end AK players sound amazing with suitably wallet-crushing IEMs, which just about keeps us on side, but the rubbish UI and appalling WiFi connectivity let that side down. After Apple finally got their act together with lossless, I dug my Chord Hugo out of the cupboard where it had been languishing unloved, and use it with my iPad for Apple Music and Tidal. Horrendous in terms of cables but sounds amazing with some good over-ear ‘phones. I will be glad when the wireless IEMs can do lossless straight from a phone.
And GREAT point about being on a plane - you can have the best IEMs and AK player and won’t enjoy it because of the background noise.
Subscribed.
I just use a wired earbuds with 3.5mm adapter to usb c and, a 4.4mm to 3.5mm, to connect to whichever devices I have with me. Or just use both adapters at the same time.
I'd agree. Its quality vs. size/weight/bulk/cost/complexity IMHO. Better equipment, more powerful (amp), better ears (inexpensive mic/headsets, IEM's, Mouse Ears, etc). Not even mentioning more batteries and battery charging, plus *battery replacement* issues which can be a PITA. As the audio gets better, the pain is greater on most of these levels. I think many DAP's are going for replacement of home HI-FI gear based on the premise of a possible future desire that someone "could" take it with them. Who is going to carry a Phone, DAP, Amp, and two pairs of headphones and possible cables to charge and connect them? Only the serious lover of that, which may only be a minority market. Most use these I think as their own private HIFI stereo system at home, in their rooms, etc. Your points are 'spot' on. ;-) Heck if I put a DAP and a Phone in my pockets, my trousers are practically falling off from the weight and I start to look like Batman. Try adding a portable amp plus good IEM's in addition to regular phone headset and its getting serious. Add a wallet, car/home keys, and I start to need a carpenters belt practically.
after i started getting sick of my 10 adapters and dacs for my iphone so i decided to rip my cds with exact audio copy and put it on my ipod classic... sounds amazing and it's kind of enough for "on the go terms" in my case
I’ve been doing similar with my CDs for a while (ripping to ALAC). Last year I modded the iPod to put in a 1TB drive and have been able to keep my whole library on there. It was a fun project.
I have an inexpensive Sony NW-A55L and a pair of AKG headphones. I have inserted a 1TB into the Sony and all my CDs in .wav format are on it. It does me. Thousands of euros for portable audio? My friends can't believe I've spent almost two-thousand pounds for my home Wi-Fi set-up. A different world.
@@jon342 wow, how did you do that? i would love to do the same
My setup is the Fiio UTWS3's, paired with my TinHifi T3+, connected with my Hiby R2... Hands down the best sub 300$ setup on the damn PLANET
@@skooctavian1458 maybe, havent tried, dont have cables to test though, its unlikely though
Just put Tidal on my iphone. Very excited. (Dragonfly/Satsuma user)
get Qobuz...
This video is too rich for me to watch fully
I’m in noisy environments frequently, and it’s exhausting! Absolutely active noise canceling has been a godsend.
Thank you, John! One more great episode! If I can wish one more thing, related to this theme: Some of the equipment you showed us had 2,5mm BALANCED connections. I have a Pioneer XDP-300R DAP, supporting this 4-pin (TRRS-jack) connection and Shure SE535 (there is a couple of even more expensive IEM's, from Shure, as well....) - absolutely worth testing. With an appropriate cable (wich I have not found), the listening could have been done in "balanced mode" - witch in this scenario means using 4-conductor cable from the 2,5mm jack to the in-ear elements. Just like cabling loudspeakers. Have you tested this way to connect the in-ears? Does this make any difference vs. use of the standard 3-pole 3,5mm jack?
As windchill is a factor here in CZ, I'm currently using RealMe X2 Pro, iBasso DC03 and the Austrian Audio Hi-X55's (ear muffs). Source is USB Audio Play or Plexamp.
There is one category that might not have been mentioned: micro-DAP that is also a dongle DAC.
I carry my Fiio M5 everywhere becaus it's really small. It can be used as a standalone player connected to wired IEMs or Ldac Bluetooth earphones. It can receive a Bluetooth signal from my phone or it can act as a USB DAC. And I can copy music to and from my smartphone.
Thanks for bringing up the Plex server! That will make things very convenient when internet is available, which is basically most places with a cellular network signal. I used to run an FTP server at home, but it's a clunky solution.
For portable music, I use my cellphone - either with the FiiO BTR5 2021 and IEMs or an Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm dongle and IEMs. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for when I just want convenience and active noise canceling. I was thinking of using an old iPhone 6 as basically an iPod Touch, but its limited storage capacity and battery life is not going to be great.
Personally, I'll just take the convenience of bluetooth devices like the Airpods Pros over needing to carry an extra device and wired earbuds. They're certainly good enough to still enjoy music/podcasts and I don't NEED to listen to hifi audio at every second. I suppose in the end it makes me appreciate my home setup more as well.
I enjoy your videos because you do a great job of explaining what is possible, not necessarily what is best. I don't have the budget for a lot of the gear that you review, but everyone has their own budget and opinion of what "sounds good". On the topic of portable gear, I am excited to see what the future holds for Aptx adaptive equipped phones and earphones.
Would love insight into listening volume levels for new IEM listeners, how do you balance safe listening levels with acoustic range and soundstage?
For me the definite solution for portable audio is a set of true wireless adaptors like the fiio utws5. Not mentioned in the video but probably the best of both worlds.
I'm a beginner and I use a type c apple dac with Kz zst IEM along with high res offline music with wavelet auto eq on OnePlus 7T as my setup
Nice sarcasm, but I don’t like it.
Awesome as always, and that was....some expensive gear there :) Thanks for showing all these options and thoughts!
I’m using a Walkman a40 series with Grado SR60X I just go buy cd’s and rip them when I get home with Sonys media center app that way it grabs all the album info and art while it rips
You do realize cds only sample some bits of sound..
@@ukestudio3002 cds sound perfectly fine to me but I would like to try sacd someday but I love that with cds I can get them for pocket change. I did collect vinyl but it sucked having only the budget to afford 1 vinyl a month and it may or may not be warped beyond use so I swapped to cd and was able to start a decent library just off my parents cds to fill that Walkman
Fiio btr7 and the KZ zsn pro X is a go to pair of earphones. the synergy of them just plays hand in hand. the KZ lack a bit of bass but Fiio does its job to really brighten up the places and it feels so good.