The Best High-Fidelity On-the-Go
Music players are some of our favorite products here, not just because they go with headphones like peas and carrots, but that they provide the user the chance to listen to true - hi-res music wherever they go. DAPs are complete high-resolution audio systems that fit in your pocket - audiophile grade DAC, headphone amp, music streamer, server, and more. Like all our BEST OF lists this year - you are the ones that pick the top 5 - our lists are based off our sales here at Moon Audio and are some of the most popular music players on the market. So you wanna see what they are? Let's get to it.
Best Music Players, Digital Audio Players (DAPs) of 2023
Best DAPs & Music Players
#12: Sony NW-A306 Walkman DAP Music Player
Sony proves to us that when we think a product can't be revolutionized any more — it is. Yet another milestone in the evolution of the Walkman, the NW-A306 digital music player is the newest iteration of the NW-A300 series. A tiny DAP that's packed with features, it can literally fit in the palm of your hand. These days when portable devices need a separate bag to tote them around in, Sony's size for the A306 is a welcome one. Sony likes to keep the specs of their internals under wraps, so where we might not know the exact chipsets inside, that's okay. What we do know is that Sony implements a number of sound enhancements with their music players. The NW-A306 player itself is natural sounding enough - we wouldn't classify it as warm like its other higher-end siblings. The real charm of the portable music player comes out when paired with extremely efficient IEMs or headphones, and the wireless connection is a huge component of this music player since that's where a lot of Sony's proprietary sound enhancements really take full effect.
Sony is packing in features for users to choose how they want their music to sound. The A306 gives you the option to turn on various sound settings such as AI-powered DSEE Ultimate upscaling, Vinyl Processor, Clear Audio+ and more. For those who love the warmth and character of vinyl, the Vinyl Processor function strives to subtly reproduce the low-frequency resonance, tone-arm resistance, and surface noise of vinyl. DSEE actually does a great job at perceivably upscaling the audio - we preferred it most of the time when listening to rock for example. Clear Audio+ is another interesting sound enhancement from Sony, offing more space and detail with the track, though I found varying effectiveness of this based on what we were listening to. Sony has made the perfect portable DAP for anyone looking to listen to music hassle-free on the go. With its Bluetooth connectivity, you'll benefit from the ease of pairing your favorite wireless headphones or IEMs and enjoying high-resolution audio. With the quintessential "Sony" sound, Rock, EDM, Hip-Hop and more will sound fun and dynamic. As an entry-level DAP, it's a great choice for those wanting to take their first step into the world of audiophiles and enjoy audiophile-grade sound.
Amazing Portable Size & Battery Life
Fun Sony Sound, Pairs well with the WH-1000XM5
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#11: iBasso DX170 DAP Music Player
iBasso represents a great middle-of the road option between value and great sound quality. The DX170 is their entry-level music player, though you wouldn't expect it looking at the main features packed into this DAP. The DX170 is equipped with dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 DAC chips, and apart from sounding excellent on their own, you'll hear a surprising amount of depth and clarity in your music. Details abound with CS chips, and if you're stepping up from listening to music on your phone or laptop, then the DX170 might as well be flagship-level sound quality. There's just no comparison coming from a consumer-level device. The music player sports a beautiful 5-inch full-HD (1080x1920) IPS touch screen. iBasso has some of the best-looking displays on the DAP market, and it's responsive, vibrant, and sharp.
It's a capable music player, being able to handle Native DSD up to x256, supports USB DAC mode, is equipped with a 4.4mm balanced and multi-purpose 3.5mm single-ended jack that functions as a phone out, line out, and coax out, depending on what you need. The internal computer power is great for this price: a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 Soc, 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of LPDDR4, and support for SDXC and SDHC micro SD cards for expandable external storage. With support for pretty much every file format out there, and Android-based OS, 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, an average 10 hour battery life, and this music player will make your old iPod look like a Palm Pilot. Welcome to the iPod of the future, feature packed, and providing you audiophile-grade sound quality wherever you go. Rock, Classical, Jazz, and Folk are going to sound lively and dynamic with the DX170, and if you're looking for a premium sound at a great value, be sure to check out the iBasso DX170 DAP music player.
It's a capable music player, being able to handle Native DSD up to x256, supports USB DAC mode, is equipped with a 4.4mm balanced and multi-purpose 3.5mm single-ended jack that functions as a phone out, line out, and coax out, depending on what you need. The internal computer power is great for this price: a quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 Soc, 32GB of internal storage, 2GB of LPDDR4, and support for SDXC and SDHC micro SD cards for expandable external storage. With support for pretty much every file format out there, and Android-based OS, 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0, an average 10 hour battery life, and this music player will make your old iPod look like a Palm Pilot. Welcome to the iPod of the future, feature packed, and providing you audiophile-grade sound quality wherever you go. Rock, Classical, Jazz, and Folk are going to sound lively and dynamic with the DX170, and if you're looking for a premium sound at a great value, be sure to check out the iBasso DX170 DAP music player.
Tremendous value, Tons of Features
Crispy and Detailed Sound
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#10: Sony NW-ZX707 Walkman DAP Music Player
It's not hard to hear the signature Sony sound in the ZX707. If you know, you know. And it you don't, you're in for a treat. The ZX-707 sounds warm, musical, clear, and lively. It's the type of sound that takes you by the hand and leads you straight into the music, so you feel fully engaged. You'll hear plenty of details in your favorite tracks, but there's a smoothness to the sound. "Detailed" and "smooth" might seem contradictory, but they coexist quite nicely in the ZX707. Bass on the ZX707 is warm and generously punchy. Drum hits feel dimensional, and bass guitars sound deep and rich. Some of our favorite genres of music to listen to with the ZX707 are classic rock, pop, classical, and jazz/soul.
The Sony NW-ZX707 is an excellent upgrade over the previous generation NW-ZX507. Not only has the styling been changed to black with gold accents, but the screen is bigger and the sound is bigger. What isn't much bigger is the price tag, which has only increased by $70, to $898. With a 5-inch screen, up to 25 hours of playback, USB DAC function, and next-generation upscaling, the upgrades are apparent. The Sony ZX707 has a warm, rich, and wonderfully clear sound that is especially good for rock, classical, jazz, blues, and vocals. Going up the Sony DAP price ladder, you have the NW-WM1AM2 that we'll see in a bit for about $500 more than the ZX707. You will get a grander sound, with even more transparency, but you'll also be toting around a larger player. If you're basing your decision purely on sound quality, go ahead and look at the WM1AM2. But if you want a pretty darn awesome-sounding digital music player in a smaller, lighter chassis, you're going to love the ZX-707.
Fun and Dynamic Sony Sound
Great Features, Portable
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#9: Astell&Kern A&futura SE300 Music Player DAP
For the first time in an Astell&Kern music player, there is finally a fully discrete 24-bit R-2R DAC. Previous music players in AK's wheelhouse usually packed a series of AKM, ESS, or Cirrus Logic DAC chipsets. Delta Sigma DACs are easier to implement in a portable music player, but Astell&Kern was up to the challenge of figuring out how to put a ladder DAC into their latest DAP. The R-2R DAC, also known as a ladder DAC, arranges resistors in a ladder form and offers natural yet dynamic Hi-Fi sounds. AK has meticulously selected each of the 96 ultra-precision resistors and finalized the R-2R DAC technology - it is indeed a new sound for an Astell&Kern player, at least from an analog perspective.
The other new feature in the SE300 that makes another first for Astell&Kern is the dual amp mode switching. Dual amps provide a lot more tonal variation than some might think and also affects the overall efficiency of the device which can prolong or shorten battery life, based on your fidelity preferences. You'll also find High and Normal gain modes on the SE300. This allows you to get the perfect match for power output with your favorite headphones or IEMs. Offering up to 6Vrms in balanced mode, it'll have enough juice for most full-sized headphones out there, except specifically demanding cans. The SE300 uses an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that Astell&Kern self-developed for optimized design instead of using common off-the-shelf commercial semiconductor chipsets, relaying digital signals to the R-2R DAC through its algorithm. Astell&Kern’s FPGA, developed specifically for the SE300, supports the most ideal OS (Over Sampling) / NOS (Non-Over Sampling). Enjoy the sound styles reproduced by NOS and OS modes, meticulously designed for the SE300's hardware and programs.
The SE300 sounds different from other AK players. Thanks to the implementation of the R-2R DAC mostly, it provides a clean, detailed, and natural sound to the music. I'm not hearing much coloration like some ESS and AKM chips/signal chains. I would definitely still consider it on the forward side, which is not that uncommon for the A&futura or A&norma lineups of DAPs. The SE300 is going to be a great DAP for lovers of detail: classical, jazz, rock, folk, and alternative in particular. There are enough firsts here that Astell&Kern should be proud of the way they've implemented these new features and continue to bring something new to the table.
Excellent R-2R DAC, Natural & Robust-Sounding
Class A/AB Switching, FPGA MOS/OS Modes
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#8: iBasso DX320 DAP Music Player
iBasso is a staple brand here at Moon Audio - and for good reason too. The DX320 is the follow-up to their previous flagship, the DX300. It was a popular music player, as it features one of, if not the, best screen on the market for a portable music player. The screen is a gorgeous 6.5-inch bezel-less design sporting a 2340 by 1080 resolution. It’s snappy, the colors are vibrant, and it's just an absolute joy to use. There is also an indicator light on the top of the screen that displays the working status of the player. They go aesthetically in the opposite direction that say, Astell&Kern does, with smoother edges and stunning colors. There is one thing that is very, very different with the new DX320, and that is the DAC chip. The new flagship is configured with dual BD34301EKV ROHM DAC chips, rather than the previous quad-DAC Cirrus Logic setup in the DX300. This is the main event. ROHM's high-grade MUS-ICTM series emphasizes "spatial reverberation", "quietness", and "dynamic range" when it comes to sound reproduction. In short, it's a pretty substantial upgrade in sonic fidelity over the Cirrus Logic chips.
The ROHM chip is very natural sounding, and with Rock, Jazz, Alternative, and Blues, it's the depth of the sound that stands out. You make out and feel the lower extension with bombastic movie soundtracks. The clarity in the mids and the slight roll-off on the higher frequencies make for a smooth listen. Whereas the DX300 was more analytical in signature, the DX320 is just that much more enjoyable to use. Again, the imaging is superb, and classical music combined with the soundstage and natural tonality of the DAC makes for livelier performances no matter what headphone you decide to pair with the DX320. The DX320 sounds better, has more depth, better imaging, better low-end presence, the high-end roll-off is smooth and yet the clarity is still present and detailed. Sound-wise it’s a definite upgrade from the DX300. iBasso represents amazing value for what you get and how much you spend, and the DX320 music player is just that.
More Dynamic and Engaging Sound
Updated Amp11 MKII, Flagship-Level Features
#7: Cayin N8II DAP Music Player
The N8ii is equipped with the ROHM BD34301EKV DAC chipset in a dual configuration (x2). This is the first time that the chipset has been used in a portable music player. Cayin operates these chips in mono mode for better performance as well. The ROHM chips are natural-sounding, and as much as I can tell are about as accurate as you can get. The ROHM Chips decode DSD as pure 1-bit here, and this is only just the first step in a much larger and more nuanced audio circuit design. The N8ii also has the ability to switch amp modes between Class A and Class AB, which affects the tone of the music player in its own way: Class A Mode features low distortion and an optimum playback condition. Silky smooth, warm, and lush - the best fit for sentimental music with lots of detail and macro dynamics. Class AB Mode features higher efficiency and dynamics. Clean, tight, extended, and authoritative slam, and the best fit for music with a high dynamic range.
It's an impressive music player when it comes to sound. It's not as easy to define sonically as a DAP with an ESS or AKM chip, as the overall design of the audio circuit is a bit more complicated and, like I said before, nuanced. Organic sound and details aplenty, the N8ii provides excellent sound stage width and depth. The layering is superb, with great spaciousness and texturing. Grunge, Rock, Classical, R&B - everything we throw at the N8ii sounds phenomenal. It's a sound you can only really hear to believe.
It's an impressive music player when it comes to sound. It's not as easy to define sonically as a DAP with an ESS or AKM chip, as the overall design of the audio circuit is a bit more complicated and, like I said before, nuanced. Organic sound and details aplenty, the N8ii provides excellent sound stage width and depth. The layering is superb, with great spaciousness and texturing. Grunge, Rock, Classical, R&B - everything we throw at the N8ii sounds phenomenal. It's a sound you can only really hear to believe.
The Cayin N8ii DAP is one of the most premium music players you can get on the audiophile market right now. The impressive thing about the N8ii is the complete audio circuit. The ROHM DAC is a first for a portable music player, and the switchable amp modes combined with the KORG Nutubes make for a sound as sophisticated as the technology behind it. The Cayin N8ii is as close to end-game sound as you can get in a portable device of this size and provides the user with a memorable listening experience each and every time.
Great SABRE ES Sound, Clarity & Details
Streaming Functionality, Design is Sleek
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#6: Cayin N7 DAP Music Player
Cayin makes some of the best-sounding DAP music players on the market. I'll just go ahead and be upfront about that. That being said, you shouldn't expect the build quality of the N7 to be anything short of top-tier (and it is). Cayin uses a fully-discrete and fully-balanced design for the N7 music player. It's more difficult to engineer a discrete design, but it allows for more room to fine-tune the sound signature, tonal control, and it delivers much better performance than op-amps. Cayin also put a double-sided PCB layout in the N7 which minimizes interference and maintains the layout and length of the signal path as uniform as possible. The N7 is equipped with a pure 1-bit DSD DAC. The pure 1-bit DSD DAC converts the digital signal to an analog signal by sending it through a resistor network. Essentially each bit of the sample is converted into its analog weight, rather than all the bits being converted in parallel. It's just a different way of doing things. The result is impressive though, and the N7 sounds rich and smooth with just about everything I throw at it. I'd say its a great match for those who love a more musical presentation, however, there is still a good amount of detail on the upper mids and highs. It's not nearly analytical sounding as an Astell&Kern player, so if you like hyper detail and top-end clarity then I would recommend pairing the N7 with a more analytical headphone to help balance out the natural warmth of the DAP.
The N7 has plenty of power for most headphones, portable and full-size, and IEMs will also pair well. The N7 sounds especially great with genres like Jazz, R&B, Blues, and Folk - providing some excellent slap and bass response. Stringed instruments sound natural and resonant. Classic rock sounds nice and chunky, guitars and vocals have weight, and the music player has plenty of natural soundstage to allow the performances to come to life inside your ears. It's just a really, really good-sounding DAP. You'll like the natural and smooth-sounding audio circuit, and I find myself just really enjoying the overall presentation that the DAP provides. It pairs well with most genres, and at two thousand dollars, it's a much easier pill to swallow if you're looking for a premium listening experience. I think it's one of the best-sounding DAPs at this price range, so if you're in the market for a new DAP, be sure to check out the N7 music player from Cayin.
Smooth-Sounding Pure 1Bit DSD DAC
Dual Amp Switching, Great Power/Battery
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#5: Astell&Kern KANN Max DAP Music Player
At number five is the portable powerhouse known as the KANN Max from Astell&Kern. It's actually a little surprising how powerful the KANN Max is when you look at the size of the DAP. Aesthetically, it’s exactly what you would expect from Astell&Kern – sharp edges, futuristic looking, and sleek design. The KANN Max is equipped with a 4.1-inch 720x1280 touch display. I find this the sweet spot for a portable player in general, let alone one with this much power. It’s snappy and responsive and is crisp enough at this size to look great. Sure they are larger and better-looking screens out there, but for an Astell&Kern player, you’re gonna be listening to the music, not watching YouTube or playing games. The KANN Max is equipped with four ES9038Q2M DAC chips and supports up to 32-bit 768. The DAP sounds dynamic and resolute, and it’s easily the best-sounding KANN music player. The power output goes a long way to help provide a dynamic and impactful listening experience each and every time. Wonderful extension in the bass, clear and resolute mids, and some really nice energy in the top-end - there's not much to be mad about with how this music player sounds.
You can set the output level on these devices according to your power needs. The low output does 2Vrms unbalanced and 4 on balanced. Mid output level does 4Vrms on unbalanced and 8 on balanced. The high output level does 6Vrms on unbalanced and 12 on balanced. And distinctive to the ACRO and now the KANN Max is the super high gain level, giving you a whopping 8Vrms in unbalanced and 15Vrms in balanced mode. It can’t be overstated how impressive it is that a device of this size can output that much power. It’s still not going to power a Susvara, but it can pretty much do everything else out there. The KANN Max is about as beastly as you can get for a portable music player. The size, sound, power, and a number of high-end flagship-level features make it really hard NOT to recommend this music player for those who like using their full-size headphones on the go. It's great for Classical, Rock, R&B, EDM, Synthwave, and Classic Rock in particular, and for those wanting to use USB Audio out, we recommend pairing the KANN Max with a Silver Dragon USB Cable for the best in digital transmission of data to your DAP. Also, since the Kann Max has the power for most full size headphones out there, we paired it with our Silver Dragon headphone cable and Utopia 2020 for optimal detail and resolution.
Great Depth and Soundstage
Lots of Power!
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#4: Astell&Kern SR35 DAP Music Player
Next on our list of most popular music players of the year is the excellent SR35 from Astell&Kern. It's the smallest player on the list and it's a great option if you want to take a DAP to the gym to work out or having something to easily put in your pocket. AK implements a new audio circuit for the SR35 - providing more sonic fidelity in an entry-level player than ever before. The newly-designed Dual/Quad DAC switching mode on the SR35 allows the user to disable 2 of the DAC chips to run in a dual-DAC mode for better efficiency and longer battery life, without much sonic degradation. Dual DAC mode is certainly great at bringing out those crispy details, brass shine, and giving you decent and punchy low end. If you are concerned about the battery life if you're going on a long trip or whatnot, I certainly wouldn't be disappointed by the dual-DAC mode.
The Quad-DAC mode really flexes the music muscles of the SR35. I can notice an immediate change and improvement. Mids and lows are buffed/enhanced, the soundstage gets wider and deeper with the extra processing power. I would say it still leans to the analytical side of things for the most part, but I could see the SR35 easily pairing with a warmer headphone without issue for those who prefer a more musical presentation. In the scheme of things, Astell&Kern is giving music lovers options on how they want their music to sound, and that's a great thing. Having more versatility from one device is a lot more economical, especially for those who are new to the hobby or on a budget if upgrading from a phone. The biggest and needed improvement is by far the power output. Dual gain and dual/quad DAC switching is also a huge perk, giving you the option to improve efficiency and increase battery life if needed. The up-to-20 hours in dual DAC mode is impressive, and the quad DAC setting adds a lot of extra weight and depth to the presentation and performance. The soundstage and overall sonics are equally improved over previous A&norma installments. Classical, Rock, and Metal sounded fun and exciting on the SR35, and with the number of sound options you can make just about anything sound great. What's considered entry-level here by Astell&Kern would be equally premium and higher-tiered for any other manufacturer.
Amazing AK Sound Quality, Portable Size
New Dual DAC Mode
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#3: Sony WM1AM2 Walkman DAP Music Player
Now let's take a look at Sony, the creator of the Walkman, whose legacy continues on today with some premium portable music players on this list. The AM2 is the step down from the Flagship, the ZM2. Despite its warmth and richness, the WM1AM2 is not laid back or lush-sounding, nor is the bass bloated or overwhelming. There's a sense of energy, liveliness, and openness to the sound. The bass is full and well-rounded but well-controlled. Treble is sparkly yet smooth. Mids are on the forward side. There's a nice amount of headroom, with the sound feeling both wide and deep. Like most Android devices, the NW-WM1AM2 comes pre-equipped with the Google Play Store and a host of Google-supported apps. Compared to Astell&Kern, it's a pretty open Android OS. The AM2 has full WiFi and streaming functionality with your favorite music streaming apps - a nice update to this generation. Combined with DSEE, a 10-band EQ, the DC Phase Linearizer, Normalizer, Vinyl Processor, and more sound enhancements, the WM1AM2 is a fun listening experience. You can tailor it to just about everything you want to listen to, and its especially great for Rock, Rap, EDM, R&B, synthwave, and Classical. At the end of the day we feel this DAP is really the best bang for the buck on this list.
There are many good DAPs on the market. Sony makes some of the best when it comes to sound and build quality. The addition of Wi-Fi on the NW-WM1AM2 makes it more competitive against models from iBasso and Astell&Kern that already had Wi-Fi. The switch to the Android OS gives you options for apps and cloud storage. With up to 40 hours of playback and improved ergonomics, the NW-WM1AM2 is an attractive option for those who enjoy the signature Sony sound: fun, musical, and bassy, but with a sense of openness and control. The WM1AM2 is great for peppy and bassy music - but it is by no means limited. For example, if you enjoy Jazz but don't want a lot of sharp edges or excess top-end energy, this is a great choice. With options for streaming, storage and sound enhancements, the WM1AM2 is a fantastic option for the modern audiophile.
There are many good DAPs on the market. Sony makes some of the best when it comes to sound and build quality. The addition of Wi-Fi on the NW-WM1AM2 makes it more competitive against models from iBasso and Astell&Kern that already had Wi-Fi. The switch to the Android OS gives you options for apps and cloud storage. With up to 40 hours of playback and improved ergonomics, the NW-WM1AM2 is an attractive option for those who enjoy the signature Sony sound: fun, musical, and bassy, but with a sense of openness and control. The WM1AM2 is great for peppy and bassy music - but it is by no means limited. For example, if you enjoy Jazz but don't want a lot of sharp edges or excess top-end energy, this is a great choice. With options for streaming, storage and sound enhancements, the WM1AM2 is a fantastic option for the modern audiophile.
Excellent Battery Life
Warm & Natural Sound
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#2: Sony WM1ZM2 Walkman DAP Music Player
Remember when you couldn't add apps to and stream music using the Sony NW-WM1Z? With the release of the second generation of this Sony Signature Series Walkman, the NW-WM1ZM2, those limitations are but a distant memory. The second generation of this flagship Walkman from Sony is now supported by Android and compatible with Wi-Fi to accommodate today's audiophile who wants the option of playing locally stored files or streaming from hi-res services like TIDAL and Qobuz. But that isn't the only new feature of the NW-WM1ZM2. It's got a larger, hi-def touchscreen plus better battery life, for starters.
This is a luxury product through and through. Like the WM1A, the frame of the WM1ZM2 is OFC (oxygen free copper). However, the OFC purity has been upgraded to 99.99 percent. Sony says this offers even greater benefits in terms of audio quality and high rigidity. Bass notes are clear and powerful, the atmosphere is more expansive, and mid to high-range sounds linger beautifully. The frame is plated with gold on the front of the player and machined aluminum on the back. According to Sony, the gold plating over the oxygen-free copper (OFC) frame facilitates "better audio quality where you can hear each instrument as if it were performing live."
The sound is expressive and lively. It's the type of sound that grabs you by the wrist and says, "Dance with me." Sound that makes you feel every bit of emotion that an artist pours into a performance. There's plenty of punch and power, plus a wonderful sense of dimension and distinction. Nothing gets blended or bumped out of the way; there's a sense of completion in each note and sound. It's an incredibly enjoyable listening experience time and time again. It's superb for dance, pop, edm, rock, and more. If you want the best of what Sony has to offer in portable music listening - this is it. We paired the Bronze Dragon with both of these Sony DAPs and IEMs since we were looking for more warmth and resolution in the music with these particular headphones.
Full, Luscious Sound
Outstanding Build Quality, Premium Materials
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#1: Astell&Kern SP3000 DAP Music Player
What does peak performance look like? What does the best of the best get you when it comes to music and sound quality? There's one thing you can't argue about, and that is Astell&Kern DAP music players are some of the best-looking portable audiophile gear on the market. Their sleek and cutting-edge designs help their music players stand out from the crowd, but the important thing is that they're not just all looks (but very capable feature-heavy DAPs). Astell&Kern has made some significant improvements in the sound department with their new flagship. This is the maiden voyage for the world's first AK4499EX DAC chips, AKM's latest flagship set, which arranges them in a quad-DAC format. On top of that, the new innovative HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure design puts two AK4191EQ chips for processing digital signals directly. Most digital players process digital and analog signals together inside the DAC. However, the SP3000’s advanced HEXA-Audio Circuitry structure reduces the noise of the digital signal input through the AK4191EQ, a separate digital delta-sigma modulator, and the AK4499EX DAC is then designed to process the analog signals separately.
This is a new approach to sound for DACs, and by using this design the digital and analog signal processing is physically separated resulting in some astounding signal-to-noise ratio measurements and dynamic sound. So just what does this new architecture do for the SP3000 sonically? Quite a bit. It's some of the best three-dimension sonic renderings I've heard on an music player. It sounds more accurate than what I've heard previously. The layering helps with the clarity and prominence of the entrances, cleanly hearing when they come in, trail off, etc. And the texturing helps various instruments and voicings not get covered by roaming competing frequencies, along with making out individual performances, articulations, and breathing. Classical, Jazz, Folk, Alternative, Classic Rock, it does most genres exceptionally well, as a flagship music player should. The SP3000 is a great device to be used as a server or even a USB DAC with your laptop or computer. We recommend pairing it with our Silver Dragon USB cable with ultrapure silver conductors for the best in signal transfer for your digital music. The SP3000 redefines flagship sound for me. It's a spectacular-sounding piece of equipment and we think the best sounding DAP on the market. Apparently you all did too, which is why it's our number one seller for 2023.
New HEXA DAC Circuitry Sounds Amazing
Flagship Features, New UI/UX Design
Dragon Cables
Your gear is only as good as its weakest link, and in most cases it's the stock cables. Companies just don't put in the R&D into their cables like they do for the device. That being said, for every music player on this list we recommend pairing the Silver Dragon USB. It's a higher-quality cable than your OEM option, and is built to spec with premium materials and components. If there was a Best Dragon Cables of 2023 list the Silver Dragon USB would be number one. Year after year this is our top selling Dragon cable. Why is a Quality USB cable important for all of these DAPs? Well because they can be used as high Quality sources for your DAC in your Home System. They can take the place of a computer to be used as your server and streamer. Some are even Roon End points. And Vice versa - these can also be used as Headphone Amp & DACs for your Laptop when you are working remotely. There are a lot of reasons why you need to make sure your USB cables are not afterthoughts.
Our cables bring out more of what you love in your music and audio gear. If you love your headphones but wish they had a bit more top end sparkle - a Silver Dragon headphone cable would be a great option. If your USB cables keep dying - like many stock cables do - then check out our quality USB cables. We say time and time again that materials matter, and our cables and custom geometries actually help to bring out those desired properties in your gear and music. We make tons of custom options for our customers so that you can get the right cable for your exact needs. If you have any questions feel free to contact us and we'll be more than happy to help.
Generally, stock audio cables are manufactured with subpar materials, metals with impurities, poor geometries, and an overabundance of layers to make them look and feel like a fire hose. Inconsistency and lack of quality control in stock cables can lead to poor sound quality and a veiled sound vs what the musician intended for you to hear and feel from the music. Dragon cables are handcrafted with the highest standards and made to order according to your specific needs. At Moon Audio, we create a custom cable for you using the highest quality UP-OCC silver or copper conductors that can be manufactured. UP-OCC metals are void of impurities and are optimized for signal transfer and sound quality. We have one of the largest collections of audio and headphone connection options available online and we create limitless audio cable options depending on your specific gear and needs.
Why Dragon Cables?
You’ve heard the saying that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, right? Well, the same applies to your brand-new audiophile-grade headphones or other audio components. The weakest link, in this case, is your stock cable or the cheap interconnects the manufacturer threw in the box just to get you up and running. Why is the cable always an afterthought, when it’s just as important as the rest of your system? At Moon Audio, we use the best raw materials in our cables to unveil your music. We believe the materials matter and your audio cables should have the same care and craftsmanship that manufacturers put into their audio components and headphones. Audio cables are ultimately the connection to your music. The fact remains that cabling is often considered the last priority to that of the main product and a means to cut down the overall production costs. It’s as simple as that.
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