Listening to high-resolution, and uncompressed audio files is no longer for audiophiles only. Most major music services offer some form of hi-res or lossless, so it’s time you stepped up your gear game to get the most out of the service you’re paying for! Even Spotify is still threatening to offer Hi-Res Audio to its subscribers. We’ll believe that when it finally happens though.
You’ll need more than your $8 USB-C to 3.5mm Apple dongle (though audiophiles praise it for its cost-to-quality benefit) to fully realize the highs and lows of that high-resolution digital data flow. To that end, we’ve compiled this list of the best digital audio players (DAPs) that support high-resolution audio playback. From affordable, entry-level options to over-the-top aspirational enthusiast favorites, this collection rounds up the best of the best.
Step into the world of audio nerds
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Absurdly good audio
FiiO has mastered the art of fine-tuning sound as proven by the superb audio gear made by the brand. The FiiO M11 Plus ESS is top-tier, supporting all the things. You get Android 10 and a 5.5-inch touchscreen interface. It has dual DACs, dual-band WiFi, expandable storage up to 2TB, and 3.5mm/2.5mm/4.4mm outputs. Look forward to lossless audio support, along with LDAC, LHDC, and aptX-HD. The M11 Plus ESS has enough power on tap to drive some of the hungriest headphones.
Properly cheap and cheerful
If you’re not in need of a specialized, uber-expensive MP3 player, then SanDisk is there to save the day. The Clip Jam is an adorable audio player with a tiny footprint. You won’t find any fancy codecs and file formats here, but the physical navigational buttons are easy to use while working out and you get 8GB of on-device storage.
For the pros on budget
The HiBy R3 II fills in the gap without skimping on high-quality sound. This touchscreen MP3 player delivers balanced audio and supports advanced codecs such as UAT and LDAC. You even get Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, letting you play music from any platform. When you don’t have WiFi, simply place the R3 II into DAC/AMP mode, connect it to your phone, and use it as an external DAC/AMP via USB or Bluetooth.
Over-the-top option
The Astell&Kern KANN Ultra is ultra aspirational with its four-figure price tag. While audiophiles will argue about what you get here versus a slightly less expensive kit, there seems to be no argument about the high-resolution, lossless audio that makes your mouth water and your eyes sparkle. It has all the ports and technical goodies under the hood to please sound engineers and audiophiles alike.
HQ sound for all
The HIFI WALKER H2 costs half as much as the mid-range HiBy player, and we couldn’t be happier about it. HIFI trades a touch screen for satisfying physical buttons, a wide assortment of supported audio file formats, DSD playback, and a built-in DAC from Burr-Brown.
Reliable make
The words “Sony” and “Walkman” sure trigger heavy nostalgia. Sony’s cassette-tape days may be gone, but the Sony NW-A306 Walkman high-res music player sports impressive features at an amicable cost. It features extensive high-res file support, up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM, MQA, and DSD256 file formats. You also get aptX HD and LDAC codec support. There’s only 32GB of storage, and half of that is taken up by Android, but it’s expandable up to 2TB via a microSD card.
No-frills experience
Mighty’s adorable little music player is shaped like a cube and has a clip on the back. For the “mature” among you, this is reminiscent of the 6th generation iPod Nano, but without the touchscreen. You can set up the Mighty Vibe 3 in a jiffy using your phone and attach it to your armband for easy access. It can store around a thousand songs and you can sync your Spotify (family or premium only) or Amazon Music libraries with it then enjoy those tunes for up to eight hours on a charge.
iPod Nano incarnate
Missing the iPod Nano’s small form factor coupled with a touch display? The Shanling M0 Pro is the perfect modern alternative. But its size belies its power! Dual ESS DACs for better sound and power than its predecessor, a new 3.5mm connector, and bi-directional Bluetooth are just some of its many features! It’s hard to believe such a tiny device can produce such high-quality audio. Our Harish Jonnalagadda reviewed it and calls the M0 Pro, “a terrific choice.” ‘Nuff said?
Complete package
Those of you who don’t want to separate your MP3 player and smartphone needs can grab the LG V60 ThinQ 5G. LG’s foray into phone making was good while it lasted, giving us gems like the V60 ThinQ that has a DAC built-in. You can plug in a standout pair of wired headphones into the audio port and enjoy high-end sound quality. There’s no shortage of storage or music playing platforms it can access. Sadly, you’ll be stuck with renewed versions when looking to buy one.
Rediscovering the sound of music
Unlike picking the right music player apps for Android, looking for a dedicated digital audio player is a complicated process. A lot of thought goes into the search, especially if you have exposed your ears to high-end audio before. Nonetheless, the devices that we have gathered in this roundup have all the best features that you need. There’s a little something for everyone, in every color, and every price bracket.
For audiophiles with a keen sense of hearing, the Astell&Kern KANN Ultra is the absolute best audio player. It is powered by the ES9039MPRO Dual DAC chip, it supports a vast range of file formats, and it can deliver hi-res audio for both wired and wireless sound delivery methods. The KANN Ultra features a custom-built OS, so no additional apps or notifications disturb your music-listening bliss. The 128GB of onboard storage is plenty, but you can expand it to 1TB if needed. The one caveat here is the eye-watering asking price – this DAP will cost you as much as a flagship foldable phone, or mid-level gaming laptop. If you can afford it, pair it with the Fiio FA19 wired in-ear monitor (IEM) earphones and you’ll experience total auditory bliss.
For lower budgets, the HiBy R3 II and HIFI WALKER H2 are decent options. They both manage to produce similar levels of sound that sound exceptionally good. You’ll enjoy top-notch audio playback without spending smartphone money on either one. On the other hand, if audio codecs, file formats, DAC & amps, and lossless audio mean nothing to you, then you should stick with basic portable music players such as the Mighty 3 or the SanDisk Clip Jam. If you want even more versatility, grab the LG V60 ThinQ 5G to serve as a phone as well as an MP3 player. It’s one of the best Android phones with a headphone jack and it has a solid DAC built-in.
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