How to Choose a DAP in 2026 – The Complete Guide
▲ 31 r/mp3players+1 crossposts

How to Choose a DAP in 2026 – The Complete Guide

After seeing countless questions asked on this subreddit about which DAP to choose or which is better, and seeing how completely lost some are in how to even approach choosing an audio player, I decided to make a guide for everything you need to know for choosing a DAP.

Here is a link to the video: https://youtu.be/IG2ymysUV_8

I'm labelling this post as a "Brand Affiliate" since this is somewhat self-promotion on my part, but I think the information is still valid.

These are all the topics covered in the video:

  1. What is a DAP?
  2. Why would you need one?
  3. Who should not buy a DAP?
  4. DAP vs phone + dongle DAC
  5. What do you need to get started?
  6. Criteria for picking a DAP?
  7. Different DAP Operating Systems (UI)
  8. Are more expensive DAPs better?
  9. Common mistakes to avoid
  10. My personal DAP buying framework
  11. Syncing Music and Metadata
  12. Prices (tiers) of different DAPs
  13. My DAP database tool
  14. My "Quick Picks"

For those unaware, I also have a DAP guide/database on my website: https://www.hifioasis.com/daps/

I recently overhauled my whole list of DAPs and turned it into a filterable database, allowing you to pick and choose various filters for narrowing down what you're looking for. It's also much easier now for me to keep it updated, so it should be fairly accurate and relevant.

Anyways, I hope the video and database are helpful to those who are looking at getting a DAP but don't know where to start.

youtu.be
u/HiFiOasis — 3 days ago
▲ 59 r/FiiO

FiiO Link TWS Review - Flagship Sound and Features

Disclosure: I’d like to thank FiiO for providing me with the Link TWS for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and FiiO had no say or input on the contents of my review.

Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/xMFdGccdDxY

My (lengthy) video review is now live, which you can watch via the link above.

Overall, I think the Link TWS is a very complete package with excellent performance. My only real complaint is that the earhooks do not play well with IEMs that have recessed connections (as you can see in the video). I haven't tried any aftermarket earhooks, but if there's one available for IEMs that have recessed 2-pin connections, I'll gladly order a set and test it.

Pros​

  • Turns almost any compatible IEM into TWS earbuds
  • Keeps the sound and fit of your preferred IEM
  • Includes both MMCX and 0.78mm 2-pin connectors
  • Excellent codec support, including LDAC, LHDC V5, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, and SBC
  • Powerful output with plenty of volume headroom for most IEMs
  • Mostly low noise floor, even with many sensitive IEMs
  • Proper 10-band parametric EQ
  • Extensive customization through the FiiO Control app
  • Physical buttons (more reliable and less prone to accidental activation than touch controls)
  • Good overall fit and comfort
  • Useful charging-case display
  • Contactless ear-hook charging with no exposed charging contacts
  • Multipoint Bluetooth support
  • IPX4 rating

Cons​

  • May be somewhat expensive for some at $219 USD
  • Some large or bulky IEMs may not fit comfortably inside the case while attached
  • Charging case is considerably bulkier than a conventional TWS case
  • No active noise cancellation (this is more of a nitpick)
  • FiiO Control app is required to access much of the functionality and customization
  • High-resolution codec availability depends on your source device
  • Limited value for those in the Apple ecosystem unless you invest in a Bluetooth transmitter
  • Transparency mode is useful but may not sound as natural as mainstream premium TWS implementations
u/HiFiOasis — 9 days ago
▲ 75 r/mp3players+1 crossposts

HIDIZS AP30 Music Boy Video Review - Great Hardware and Sound Quality Held back by Software

Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/6aHn1dhGWdU

The HIDIZS AP30 Music Boy is a digital audio player with a retro-inspired design (think Game Boy), excellent sound quality, tactile controls, and is a fully offline device. While the hardware is absolutely solid, the software is much less refined. Things like the lack of gapless playback, no M3U playlist support, the inability to control playback when the screen is off, and the small microSD card and library size support all hold this wonderful DAP back from being truly great.

The AP30 will be launched on Kickstarter starting July 23 at 10:30 AM EDT - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hidizs/ap30-music-boy-the-first-truly-wearable-hi-res-music-player?ref=i50q6p

If you have any questions about the AP30 Music Boy that weren't answered in my video review, feel free to comment, and I will try to answer them here.

Pros:

  • Excellent sound quality with a clean, neutral presentation
  • Impressively low noise floor, even with sensitive IEMs
  • Compact, lightweight and genuinely portable design
  • Fun retro styling with several plastic and aluminum finishes
  • Excellent build quality, tactile buttons and precise volume wheel
  • Bright, clear screen that is easy to read
  • Includes both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs
  • Enough power for most IEMs and portable headphones
  • Useful USB DAC functionality
  • Overall decent battery life
  • Magnetic case makes it convenient to attach to a smartphone
  • Good unboxing experience and generous included accessories
  • Strong value at its Kickstarter pricing
  • Bluetooth performance is reliable

Cons:

  • Physical controls and volume wheel do not work when the screen is off
  • No M3U playlist support
  • No gapless playback support
  • No dark-mode or alternative interface themes
  • Battery level is represented only by an icon, no option for a percentage
  • Does not play nice with Apple AirPods
  • Magnetic case installation is initially confusing and needs instructions
  • Doesn't support large libraries or microSD cards bigger than 256GB

Key Specs:

  • Price: $119 USD (plastic version), $129 USD (aluminum version)
    • $85/$93 early bird price via Kickstarter
  • Connections: 3.5mm SE output, 4.4mm balanced output, USB-C (charging, data)
  • Output power: 3.5mm SE (61mW), 4.4mm balanced (137mW)
  • WiFi: No
  • Bluetooth: 5.3 (SBC)
  • Music Streaming Support: No
  • Supported File Formats and Sample Rates: DSD64/128/256 WAV:24bit/192K, FLAC:24bit/192K APE:24bit/96K, MP3/OGG/M4A/WMA
  • Internal Storage: None
  • Expandable Storage: Yes, MicroSD (up to 256GB)
  • Battery: 1100mAh, up to 12 hours of playback
  • Display: 2.0 inch IPS HD non-touch display, 296×240
  • DAC/Amp Chipset: CS43198 DAC, RT6863 amp
  • SOC Chipset: Rockchip RKNanoD
  • RAM: Unknown
  • OS: HIDIZS OS
  • Dimensions: 68mm x 53mm x 17mm
  • Weight: 56 grams (plastic), 80 grams (aluminum)
  • Notes:
    • No M3U playlist support
    • No gapless playback support
    • External USB-C DACs or USB-C headphones are not supported
    • Controls don’t work when the screen is off
    • No support for in-line controls
u/HiFiOasis — 29 days ago

Shanling M0 Pura Review: A Small and Portable DAP Done Right!

Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/uf4_WlRCEnM

I have here the Shanling M0 Pura, courtesy of Shanling (they provided it for my review). If you're unfamiliar with Shanling's M0 DAPs, they are small, non-Android devices targeted at those who want a dedicated music player without having to carry around a full-sized DAP. The M0 Pura has many quality-of-life features that most of us have come to expect from a modern DAP (gapless playback, M3U playlist support, Bluetooth 5.0, USB DAC/Bluetooth DAC functionality, good enough output power, 2TB microSD card support, just to name a few), but without the bulk.

It's primarily an offline player as it lacks Wi-Fi and has no support for Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, etc. The M0 Pura focuses more on providing a simple, distraction-free experience for those who have their own music files.

The size and simplicity do come with some compromises. The touchscreen is extremely small, so the navigation requires somewhat precise gestures. It is also intended primarily for use with IEMs and efficient headphones. Battery life is in the range of 6-8 hours, depending on volume and output power needed. I also had issues with getting the 990kbps LDAC mode to work, at least with my Qudelix 5K.

However, for someone looking for a lightweight and genuinely pocketable DAP without giving up sound quality or modern features, the M0 Pura offers pretty much everything you need in a small, portable package.

Pros:

  • Excellent sound quality for its size and price
  • Low noise floor
  • Exceptionally compact and lightweight
  • Can drive some efficient over-ear headphones
  • Optional balanced output via the adapter cable (sold separately)
  • Expandable storage up to 2TB
  • Artist and Album Artist support in the music library
  • Gapless playback support
  • Good Bluetooth codec support
  • AirPods compatibility
  • Bright, colourful display
  • Good standby battery life

Cons:

  • Very small touchscreen
  • Clock drift remains an issue
  • No dedicated playback controls, just a single multifunction button
  • Battery life may be disappointing to some
  • LDAC at 990kbps mode was unreliable
  • Automatic Bluetooth playback is annoying
  • Inline wired controls do not work
  • Library must be rescanned after changes

Key Specifications

  • Price: $139.99 USD
  • Connections: 3.5mm SE output, 4.4mm balanced (using Shanling cable adapter), USB-C (charging, data)
  • Output power: 3.5mm SE (100mW), 4.4mm balanced (250mW)
  • WiFi: No
  • Bluetooth: 5.0 (SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC)
  • Music Streaming Support: No
  • Supported File Formats and Sample Rates: DSD128, 32-bit/384kHz PCM, MP3, WAV, APE, FLAC, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE, WMA, OGG, AAC, OPUS, AIFF, M4B
  • Internal Storage: None
  • Expandable Storage: Yes, MicroSD (up to 2TB)
  • Battery: 650mAh, up to 9.5 hours of playback
  • Display: 1.54 inch LCD touch screen, 240×240
  • DAC/Amp Chipset: 2x Cirrus Logic CS43131
  • SOC Chipset: X1000
  • RAM: 32MB
  • OS: MTouch OS
  • Dimensions: 43.8mm x 45mm x 13.8mm
  • Weight: 35.8 grams
  • Notes:
    • 20,000 track limit for the Music app, but essentially unlimited for the File browser.
u/HiFiOasis — 1 month ago

Shanling M0 Pura Review: A Small and Portable DAP Done Right!

Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/uf4_WlRCEnM

I have here the Shanling M0 Pura, courtesy of Shanling (they provided it for my review). If you're unfamiliar with Shanling's M0 DAPs, they are small, non-Android devices targeted at those who want a dedicated music player without having to carry around a full-sized DAP. The M0 Pura has many quality-of-life features that most of us have come to expect from a modern DAP (gapless playback, M3U playlist support, Bluetooth 5.0, USB DAC/Bluetooth DAC functionality, good enough output power, 2TB microSD card support, just to name a few), but without the bulk.

It's primarily an offline player as it lacks Wi-Fi, and has no support for Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Qobuz, etc. The M0 Pura focuses more on providing a simple, distraction-free experience for those who have their own music files.

The size and simplicity do come with some compromises. The touchscreen is extremely small, so the navigation requires somewhat precise gestures. It is also intended primarily for use with IEMs and efficient headphones. Battery life is in the range of 6-8 hours, depending on volume and output power needed. I also had issues with getting the 990kbps LDAC mode to work, at least with my Qudelix 5K.

However, for someone looking for a lightweight and genuinely pocketable DAP without giving up sound quality or modern features, the M0 Pura offers pretty much everything you need in a small, portable package.

Pros:

  • Excellent sound quality for its size and price
  • Low noise floor
  • Exceptionally compact and lightweight
  • Can drive some efficient over-ear headphones
  • Optional balanced output via the adapter cable (sold separately)
  • Expandable storage up to 2TB
  • Artist and Album Artist support in the music library
  • Gapless playback support
  • Good Bluetooth codec support
  • AirPods compatibility
  • Bright, colourful display
  • Good standby battery life

Cons:

  • Very small touchscreen
  • Clock drift remains an issue
  • No dedicated playback controls, just a single multifunction button
  • Battery life may be disappointing to some
  • LDAC at 990kbps mode was unreliable
  • Automatic Bluetooth playback is annoying
  • Inline wired controls do not work
  • Library must be rescanned after changes

Key Specifications

  • Price: $139.99 USD
  • Connections: 3.5mm SE output, 4.4mm balanced (using Shanling cable adapter), USB-C (charging, data)
  • Output power: 3.5mm SE (100mW), 4.4mm balanced (250mW)
  • WiFi: No
  • Bluetooth: 5.0 (SBC, AAC, aptX, LDAC)
  • Music Streaming Support: No
  • Supported File Formats and Sample Rates: DSD128, 32-bit/384kHz PCM, MP3, WAV, APE, FLAC, DSF, DFF, ISO, CUE, WMA, OGG, AAC, OPUS, AIFF, M4B
  • Internal Storage: None
  • Expandable Storage: Yes, MicroSD (up to 2TB)
  • Battery: 650mAh, up to 9.5 hours of playback
  • Display: 1.54 inch LCD touch screen, 240×240
  • DAC/Amp Chipset: 2x Cirrus Logic CS43131
  • SOC Chipset: X1000
  • RAM: 32MB
  • OS: MTouch OS
  • Dimensions: 43.8mm x 45mm x 13.8mm
  • Weight: 35.8 grams
  • Notes:
    • 20,000 track limit for the Music app, but essentially unlimited for the File browser.
u/HiFiOasis — 1 month ago
▲ 131 r/mp3players+2 crossposts

SnowSky Echo Nano In-Depth Video Review: I Missed This Kind of Music Player

Link to my video review: https://youtu.be/LaYMYgrl_kY?si=-BqJGxtpOgCtS_MX

Overall, I came away impressed with the Echo Nano. It knows exactly what kind of player it's trying to be, and it does the job well. Would I have liked more battery life? Sure. Would I have liked support for larger libraries and larger microSD cards? Definitely yes. But turns out, these were not dealbreakers for me.

Lack of gapless playback and no M3U playlist support will be the dealbreakers for some, which I can appreciate, but it shouldn't detract from what the Echo Nano does well, which is simply playing music without any distractions.

Pros:

  • Excellent retro MP3 player design with a strong early-2000s nostalgia feel
  • Very small and lightweight, making it easy to carry or store in a pocket
  • Metal build feels more premium than the price suggests
  • Simple physical controls, especially the volume wheel, make it easy to use without relying on a touchscreen
  • Dead silent noise floor, works very well with sensitive IEMs
  • Decent real-world battery life at 5-6.5 hours (depending on volume needed)
  • Clean, balanced, easygoing sound that works well for casual listening and most IEMs
  • USB-C support for charging, file transfer, and USB DAC use
  • OLED display is easy to read and looks sharp
  • Good value at around $50 USD

Cons:

  • Tiny screen can make browsing large libraries tedious, especially since it only shows a small amount of information at once
  • Limited playlist/library management (no M3U playlist support)
  • No gapless playback support
  • Only supports microSD cards up to 256GB
  • Maximum number of tracks limited to 8,192
u/HiFiOasis — 2 months ago
▲ 76 r/snowsky+1 crossposts

SnowSky Disc Video Review: Finally an alternative to Android DAPs?

With the latest firmware update, I feel the Disc is in a good enough state for me to finally do my review.

You can find my video review here: https://youtu.be/oyhKSSJQdrk

Overall, I do like the Disc and I believe it is an excellent alternative to many budget DAPs and even some Android DAPs. The only potential dealbreaker is the poor standby battery performance (the battery will drain at roughly 5% per hour).

The review is pretty long, but I go through the UI and settings quite thoroughly. Hope it helps those who are looking at the Disc as their potential DAP.

u/HiFiOasis — 2 months ago
▲ 76 r/mp3players+1 crossposts

Surfans F20 Pro Review - The Little Android DAP That Could (by HiFiOasis)

My full review of the Surfans F20 Pro can be found here: https://www.hifioasis.com/reviews/surfans-f20-pro-review/

I'll also be doing a video review soon as well, which will be posted here: https://www.youtube.com/@HiFiDawson

If you’re familiar with the original Surfans F20, you'll know it's a fairly legendary device legendary as it checks a lot of boxes for people. The new F20 Pro is a bit different as it runs Android, while trying to retain a similar form factor to the F20. It doesn't always achieve this in the smoothest way possible, but I think it largely succeeds.

Key Specifications

  • Product Page: https://www.surfans.net/products/surfans-f20-pro
  • MSRP: $149.99 USD
  • Core Processor: MediaTek Helio P22 8-core Cortex A53
  • Internal Components: 2x ESS90182KM DACs, OPA1612 and RTC6863 Op-Amps
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 32GB internal, MicroSD card slot (supports up to 1TB)
  • OS: Android 12
  • Display: 2.73 inch IPS LCD touchscreen, 320×320
  • Connectivity:
    • 3.5mm SE (125mW @ 32ohms per channel)
    • 4.4mm Balanced (500mW @ 32ohms per channel)
    • USB-C (USB 2.0) for charging and data transfer
    • Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC, AAC, LDAC)
    • WiFi 5, 2.5GHz + 5GHz
  • Battery :
    • 2500mAh, up to 10 hours of playback
  • Supported Sample Rates and Formats:
    • Up to 24-bit/192kHz PCM, DSD512
  • Dimensions:
    • 101.9mm x 59.2mm x 15.8mm
    • Weight: 170 grams

The Android side of this is both the main selling point and the biggest compromise. Having access to apps like Spotify, Apple Music, Qobuz, Tidal, UAPP, Poweramp, etc. is a huge advantage over non-Android budget DAPs. That said, this is not a fast or as polished an Android experience as more expensive DAPs or modern Android smartphones. The screen is tiny, the OS launcher is clunky to use, and the small screen size negatively affects the layout of some apps.

The WiFi and Bluetooth performance (mainly LDAC) were all solid in my testing, so fortunately, no corners were cut there.

Battery life is acceptable. I got close to the rated 10 hours with local playback, and standby drain was better than expected, but charging takes around three hours (it's really not very fast to charge). Streaming music over WiFi significantly drains the battery, but this is also true for most DAPs and smartphones.

A case is included, which is nice to have, but it gets in the way of gesture navigation at times. The built-in music player is also pretty basic, so I’d recommend using a third-party app instead.

The best thing about the F20 Pro is the sound. It has a clean, mostly neutral, slightly energetic presentation that works well with a wide range of IEMs and headphones. The noise floor is pretty low, and I could only hear the faintest of background hiss when using something as sensitive as the Campfire Audio Andromeda 10.

It also has very good output power for the price, with 125mW from the 3.5mm output and 500mW from the 4.4mm balanced output. I had no issue driving IEMs, and it even worked well with headphones like the HIFIMAN Sundara and Edition XV, and Sennheiser HD 660S2.

Overall, the core user experience is good. The F20 Pro sounds clean, has a low enough noise floor, supports streaming apps, works well with local files, and gives budget-minded users a proper Android DAP option without needing to spend $300+. If you want the smoothest and quickest Android DAP experience possible, this is not it. Save up for something more powerful. If you want a digital audio player that will get you mostly there at more than half the price of other DAPs, then the Surfans F20 Pro is very easy to recommend.

Pros:

  • Clean, neutral, and slightly energetic tuning
  • Excellent sound quality for the price
  • 4.4mm balanced output with plenty of power
  • Low noise floor with most IEMs
  • Android 12 with Play Store access. Supports Spotify, Tidal, Apple Music, Qobuz, UAPP, etc
  • Bluetooth with LDAC support
  • Stable dual-band WiFi performance
  • Compact, solid CNC aluminum build
  • Physical playback buttons work well
  • Good standby battery performance
  • Quality included accessories (pre-applied screen protector, case)
  • Surfans has been active in improving the software experience
  • Great value at $149 USD

Cons:

  • Small 2.73-inch screen can feel cramped
  • OS launcher is basic and slow to navigate
  • Volume wheel is underwhelming and underutilized
  • Included case interferes with gesture navigation
  • Built-in music player is very limited
  • Lacks features commonly found in Android DAPs (no system-wide EQ, no USB DAC mode, inline headphone controls do not work)
  • Charging is fairly slow

Disclosure: I’d like to thank Surfans for providing me with the F20 Pro for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and Surfans had no say or input on the contents of this review.

u/HiFiOasis — 2 months ago
▲ 3 r/iems

My Fosi Audio MD3 “MagDAC” Review

Recently posted my review of the Fosi Audio MD3 on my website: https://www.hifioasis.com/reviews/fosi-audio-md3-magdac-review/

I also have a video review here: https://youtu.be/0VXZMSRV3fA

Key Specs:

  • Product Page: https://fosiaudio.com/pages/fosi-audio-md3-magnetic-dac-headphone-amp
  • MSRP: $149.99 USD
  • DAC: ESS Sabre ES9039Q2M DAC
  • Amp: 4x ESS ES9603Q
  • Connectivity:
    • 3.5mm SE (80mW @ 32Ω)
    • 4.4mm Balanced (180mW @ 32Ω)
    • USB-C input (Top), Audio Decoding/Image Transfer/Charging
    • USB-C input (Bottom), Audio Decoding/Image Transfer/Firmware Upgrade
  • Supported Sample Rates and Formats:
    • UAC 2.0: 32bit/384kHz PCM, DSD256
    • UAC 1.0: 16bit/48kHz
  • Features:
    • Low and High gain modes
    • USB-C charging passthrough
    • 1.28-inch LCD display
    • 8 built-in digital filters
    • UAC 1.0 and 2.0 modes
    • Magnetic backplate
  • Case and Dimensions:
    • 70 x 45 x 12 mm
    • 50 grams

I really like the concept of being able to magnetically clip it to the back of a phone or case, which is one of its standout features. The idea is to have a cleaner setup for on-the-go listening, and it mostly achieves that. I say mostly as the magnets in the back of the MD3 are not as strong as I'd like (not on the level of Apple's MagSafe accessories, for example). Still, it's a cool idea.

The other standout feature is the "fun" aspect of the screen. I will admit, it's rather gimmicky to have static or animated pictures, though the more I used the MD3, the more I warmed up to the idea.

Most importantly, though, the MD3 sounds very good. It has a clean output with a low noise floor, and I never noticed any background hiss. Subjectively, it has a smooth and slightly warm-leaning sound. The output power is on the lower side compared to most other portable DACs (80mW for the 3.5mm SE output, 180mW for the 4.4mm balanced output), but for IEMs, this is just fine. I also used a number of more efficient over-ear headphones and never had an issue with volume.

It's not perfect, and the price is definitely on the higher side for what it is ($149 USD), but it's a solid portable DAC/Amp.

u/HiFiOasis — 3 months ago

Discs App Review: CD Ripping for Android Done Right

This app probably won't appeal to most on this subreddit, but I thought it was a really interesting concept.

Essentially, "Discs: CD Ripping & Music" is an app that allows you to rip CDs to an Android device using an external USB CD/DVD drive. I've been testing the app with various Android smartphones and digital audio players running Android, and if you have a good external CD drive, the overall experience is pretty flawless. It's also a music player, so you can play the ripped files without needing to leave the app. It's not as fleshed out as most dedicated music players, but it does a really good job if your needs are basic.

"Discs" ripped my CDs accurately to FLAC, pulled metadata and album art for most of my albums, kept gapless playback intact, and produced files that matched my Exact Audio Copy rips. I also like that it supports Android Auto, Google Cast, and is able to sync music files to USB mass storage devices and microSD cards.

The biggest downside is hardware compatibility. I had no luck getting either of my external CD drives to work with my Galaxy Fold 7, which might be related to the amount of power it can output over USB-C, not with the app itself. Both drives worked perfectly fine on my Pixel 6, as well as several digital audio players running Android.

For $10 USD after two free album rips, the app is very easy to recommend for anyone with a CD collection who wants a cleaner way to rip and manage music directly on Android.

Pros:

  • Simple, modern CD ripping workflow directly on Android
  • Rips to FLAC, AAC 256kbps, or AAC 128kbps
  • Ripped files matched Exact Audio Copy results in testing
  • Accurate metadata and album art retrieval for most CDs
  • Gapless playback worked properly
  • Can sync music to compatible USB mass storage DAPs
  • Works as a clean, minimalist music player
  • Two free CD rips make hardware testing easy
  • Reasonable one-time $10 USD unlock price
  • Supports Android Auto and Google Cast

Cons:

  • Hardware compatibility depends heavily on the phone, CD drive, cable, and adapter
  • Some Android devices may not provide enough USB-C power for external drives
  • Metadata retrieval failed for a few albums
  • No option to choose a preferred metadata source

My full review of the "Discs: CD Ripping & Music" app can be found here:  https://www.hifioasis.com/reviews/discs-cd-ripping-app-review/

Disclosure: An unlock code was provided to me by the developer. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the developer had no say or input on the contents of this review.

u/HiFiOasis — 3 months ago

Discs App Review: CD Ripping for Android Done Right

Despite being a subreddit for DAPs, I have seen many comments over the years from people wondering if you can rip CDs straight to your digital audio player. The answer was always, mostly, no. Now there is a way, but only for those with Android devices.

Essentially, "Discs: CD Ripping & Music" is an app that allows you to rip CDs to your Android device using an external USB CD/DVD drive. I've been testing the app with various Android smartphones and DAPs running Android, and if you have a good external CD drive, the overall experience is pretty flawless. It's also a music player, so you can play the ripped files without needing to leave the app. It's not as fleshed out as most dedicated music players, but it does a really good job if your needs are basic.

"Discs" ripped my CDs accurately to FLAC, pulled metadata and album art for most of my albums, kept gapless playback intact, and produced files that matched my Exact Audio Copy rips. I also like that it supports Android Auto, Google Cast, and is able to sync music files to compatible USB mass storage DAPs (like the SnowSky Echo Mini, HiBy R1, and Shanling M1 Plus).

The biggest downside is hardware compatibility. I had no luck getting either of my external CD drives to work with my Galaxy Fold 7. The Surfans F20 Pro worked intermittently, and the Sony NW-WM1AM2 would only work with one of my two external drives. All of this is related to the amount of power the devices can output over USB-C, not with the app itself.

For $10 USD after two free album rips, the app is very easy to recommend for anyone with a CD collection who wants a cleaner way to rip and manage music directly on Android.

Pros:

  • Simple, modern CD ripping workflow directly on Android
  • Rips to FLAC, AAC 256kbps, or AAC 128kbps
  • Ripped files matched Exact Audio Copy results in testing
  • Accurate metadata and album art retrieval for most CDs
  • Gapless playback worked properly
  • Can sync music to compatible USB mass storage DAPs
  • Works as a clean, minimalist music player
  • Two free CD rips make hardware testing easy
  • Reasonable one-time $10 USD unlock price
  • Supports Android Auto and Google Cast

Cons:

  • Hardware compatibility depends heavily on the phone, CD drive, cable, and adapter
  • Some Android devices may not provide enough USB-C power for external drives
  • Metadata retrieval failed for a few albums
  • No option to choose a preferred metadata source

My full review of the "Discs: CD Ripping & Music" app can be found here:  https://www.hifioasis.com/reviews/discs-cd-ripping-app-review/

Disclosure: An unlock code was provided to me by the developer. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and the developer had no say or input on the contents of this review.

u/HiFiOasis — 3 months ago

Yes, I believe the Omni is the more practical version of the Nova Elite. It's also not just a Nova Pro Wireless with some of the Elite's features. You can check out my linked review for more details, but happy to answer any questions here.

Written review: https://www.hifioasis.com/reviews/steelseries-arctis-nova-pro-omni-review/

I also have a video review for those who prefer to watch/listen vs reading: https://youtu.be/YkO2VdbYgVY?si=GcJIJwSZ6QmXTTh3

u/HiFiOasis — 4 months ago