DAP Music Player Buying Guide 2022

Digital Audio Players are electronic devices capable of storing and playing high-resolution music or media files. Learn more about DAPs in our "What is a DAP" guide here:

The SR25 MKII is Astell&Kern's updated entry-level DAP and is a great starting music player for those wanting a lot more from their music without emptying their wallet. It's also their smallest player, but don't be fooled by its small size. The SR25 MKII is packed with a Quad-Core CPU and CS43198 Dual DAC, providing premium performance with Native DSD256 and up to 32bit/384kHz. The LDAC codec is also included, allowing you to listen to your high-resolution music untethered via Bluetooth. This level of performance for an entry-level device is unique and presents an incredible value for those music lovers wanting an upgrade from their consumer-level devices.

The SR25 MKII has been developed to achieve stable, ultra-high-resolution sound. Astell&Kern has implemented a new Performance Mode with the SR25 MKII that automatically optimizes and sets the memory mode in the system according to the data size of the source being played. As the resolution of the sound increases, it is necessary to process a large amount of data rapidly. If this part is not optimized, sound breakup can occur. To prevent this, the SR25 MKII uses the new Performance Mode to adjust and optimize the system in order to produce near-perfect sound quality when playing back high-resolution audio. But wait - there's more! If great sound quality and performance weren't enough, one of the most impressive things about the SR25 MKII is the 20-hour battery life. Listen to your music all day without needing to charge - it's the ultimate freedom.

Learn more about the Astell&Kern SR25 MKII DAP Music Player.

The SE180 DAP actually came out after the SE200 player, but both players share in the philosophy of giving the listener the option to change the sound according to their preference. It's an innovative design for Astell&Kern, by implementing interchangeable all-in-one modules that pop in and out of the top of the music player. The system is similar to that of iBasso which they've used for years, but the difference is that Astell&Kern allows the user to swap out different DACs, which directly affects the sound. By applying different DAC/AMP configurations, adjusting the tuning and outputs for each module, the listener can choose the sound which most aligns with their personal listening preference. The Se180 also includes great connectivity, giving you 3 headphone connections out of the box.

The SE180 has a superb 5-inch full HD touch screen, and Astell&Kern has implemented some quality-of-life improvements to the overall navigation of the music player. The new navigation bar allows the user to quickly control their music from any screen. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.0, aptX HD, and LDAC codecs, the SE180 is one of the best players on the market for the latest high fidelity wireless audio. New features such as AK File Drop allows you to freely transfer files wirelessly through a PC, smartphone, or FTP program located on the same network. The new BT Sink function connects the SE180 to an external device via Bluetooth, allowing the user to playback music in high-quality on your SE180 from an external device like your smartphone using the BT Sink function. With the SE180, you have endless configurations to tailor your sound just how you want it.  

Learn more about the Astell&Kern SE180 DAP Music Player.

The SP2000 is Astell&Kern's bread and butter. The latest flagship DAP offers 6Vrms balanced output, 3Vrms unbalanced output, supports up to 32-bit/768kHz bit-to-bit playback, and native playback of DSD up to DSD512. It's impressive. The SP2000 comes in stainless steel and copper body variants and is also equipped with the latest and most advanced Asahi Kasei DAC chips, the AK4499EQ in a dual-DAC design.

The SP2000 is the first Astell&Kern player to use separate, independent audio channels between the balanced and unbalanced outputs. This design offers more power than previous models, so you can drive your headphones even further. Astell&Kern also doubles the internal storage to 512GB which is a nice upgrade. Combined with Dual-band WiFi, Open App Service, MQA, and much more, the SP2000 redefines flagship-level performance and features. If you want one of the best sounding DAPs on the market, then look no further.

Learn more about the Astell&Kern SP2000 DAP Music Player.

Don't worry, Astell&Kern brought the big guns to the party. The KANN Alpha is a powerhouse DAP, outputting a whopping 12Vrms. What makes this even more impressive is that they managed to keep the same power output as the KANN Cube, and yet managed to dramatically shrink the chassis into a more portable design. Using exclusively-made ultra-small tantalum capacitors and a redesigned power circuit, the KANN Alpha shows just how well you can pack a bunch of power into a small unit and still manage to get an amazing 14.5 hours of continuous playback on a single charge.

Also upgraded with Bluetooth 5.0, aptX HD and LDAC codecs, DAC filters, and a new 4.4mm balanced output port, the KANN Alpha is the DAP to beat when it comes to being able to power-hungry headphones. What's really impressive about the Alpha is the fact that it has physically separated the 2.5 and 4.4mm outputs using micro relays. The KANN Alpha boasts noise-free output because Astell&Kern built an independent structure that completely blocks interference from outputs that are not being used and to be switched off, therefore preventing noise from occurring. The Alpha music player also features a never-before-seen Crosstalk measurement of -141dB (High Gain), which is unmatched by any other portable audio product in its class. It's a beefy music player AND headphone amplifier that is truly portable.

Learn more about the Astell&Kern KANN Alpha DAP Music Player.

What's old is new again. The SA700 is a love note to the Astell&Kern players of old, adopting much of their retro design but modernizing it to the point of a pretty great-looking and sounding portable music player. The SA700 began with the original design of the AK120, modified into a simple, more refined form. It's also the first DAP to use an AK4492ECB dual DAC to offer a new sound signature to AK players. It aims to mimic the AK4497EQ but consumes much less power making it perfect to extend battery life on a portable device. Made from stainless steel, the music player retains some nostalgic design elements like the sliding door over the micro SD card slot.

It's also a very capable high-end music player. Able to playback 32-bit/384kHz and native DSD playback up to 11.2MHz, the SA700 can play your high-resolution audio with ease, and combined with the Open App Service, you have an unending streaming library at your fingertips. The smaller size will be welcomed by those looking for a more portable format, and although on the weighty side, Astell&Kern is known for its outstanding build quality. The SA700 is a perfect mobile companion for you and your music.

Learn more about the Astell&Kern SA700 DAP Music Player.

Staying true to their philosophy of delivering original audio experiences without compromise, Astell&Kern strives to design portable music players that reach beyond the capabilities of a standard playback device to enhance the listener’s music enjoyment. The SP2000T combines the OP AMP configuration of the SP2000—the culmination of Astell&Kern's finest audio technology—with a nostalgic vacuum TUBE AMP, adding a vintage feel to the portable player.

The Triple Amp System Takes Acoustics to a New Level. Vacuum Tube Amplifier Compatible with 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 4.4mm Output Jacks. Equipped with ESS ES9068AS QUAD-DAC, for Balanced, Ultra Detailed SoundTERATON ALPHA, Astell&Kern's Ultimate Sound Solution. Replay Gain Function to Maintain Consistent Playback Levels between Tracks. Dual-Band Wi-fi Support for Uninterrupted Wireless Connection and Improved Compatibility. Internal Mechanical Design to Minimize Noise

Introducing the A&ultima SP2000T, the Ingenious New Solution. Learn more about the Astell&Kern SP2000T DAP Music Player.

iBasso's latest flagship-grade digital audio player, the DX240 is here!! Equipped with the flagship ES9038Pro DAC chip, the DX240 packs a powerful punch with it. It has an interchangeable amp module design where users can explore multiple options. DX240 supports AMP1-AMP8 modules already released by iBasso worldwide for the highly-acclaimed DX220 music player.

DX2x0 series has been one of the most successful Digital Audio Player series in the market. They revolutionized the way we listen to our music with great performance, high-quality DAC chips, swappable amp modules, and many more features. The DX240 comes as a successor to the highly acclaimed DX220 music player with a better DAC, better SoC, and an overall better performance both in terms of UI as well as sound. iBasso DX240 is equipped with the latest ESS flagship ES9038Pro DAC chip. It's an ultimate decoding chip that provides high-resolution 32-Bit PCM and native DSD decoding support. Users can enjoy their music with great clarity with low distortion and noise-free background on the DX240. ES9038Pro features four cores per channel providing us with ultimate performance.

Learn more about the iBasso DX240 DAP Music Player.

All that glitters is not gold ... but sometimes it really is! The Walkman has come a long way since its inception. The NW-WM1Z Walkman from Sony is quite literally plated in gold, lending a striking, high-end look to this flagship portable digital audio player (DAP). Highs are gorgeous, lows are bountiful, but mids retain a rich and emotive presence. Everything just sounds super clear and natural. There's happiness to the sound, but it doesn't feel contrived.

Now, technically the NW-WM1Z is portable. You can pair it with your favorite IEM or full-size headphone and take it on the go if you choose. But you have to remember that this thing is hefty, and it's also an investment piece. It's probably not something you would choose for a walk in the park. That being said, you could absolutely take it with you when you travel and listen to it in a more static setting. It's also a great choice for the office or home. And with the Bluetooth capability, you can use it with a Bluetooth speaker or in your car. If you're looking to stream music, the NW-WM1Z won't be for you (it doesn't have Wi-Fi). But for the audiophile with a large music library who loves a warm, full, detailed, and organic sound, the Sony NW-WM1Z may be your hi-fi dream come true.

Learn more about the Sony NW-WM1Z Premium Walkman.

Remember all those things we told you that the NW Walkman's can't do? Well, the ZX507 music player fixes that. Supported by Android, with Wi-Fi for downloading and streaming, the NW-ZX507 Walkman lets you enjoy music from all your sources. The DAP is milled from aluminum, providing a strong frame that is resistant to electrical noise. Low noise floors help to accentuate the low end, in that they don't have to compete with other frequencies in that spectrum. it also means it's much lighter and portable than the other models. Like all Sony DAPs, the ZX507 has a wonderfully warm and lush sound signature, exuding musicality and fullness to your tunes.

The ZX507 has great battery life, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge. The DAP is also smaller than its other Walkman brothers, with a 3.6-inch screen, but it still has the great side key controls for managing your music playback. With Android, you'll be able to download all your favorite music streaming apps and incorporate your music player into your car system (if you use Android Auto). Overall, it's a great device if you're looking for a warm sound signature and want streaming capability in your DAP.

Learn more about the Sony Walkman NW-ZX507 Music Player.