Choosing a DAP in the $150–$250 range
Hey guys! I own a Sony NWZ-A15. I’ve tried a lot of headphones, but my favorites have always been the Sennheiser PX100 (first revision) and Koss Porta Pro. However, the Sony player just can't drive them properly—let alone the Beyerdynamic DT240 Pro over-ears—which is a real shame. (AVLC is turned off, by the way.)
I recently bought an M-Audio sound card and was impressed by the sound it produced with the PX100s and DT240s.
So, here’s my idea: I need a DAP capable of driving the Porta Pros and PX100s with plenty of headroom to spare, and potentially the Philips SHP9500s down the line (since they aren't too hard to drive). Since my budget is quite limited, I’ve narrowed it down to these models: the Hiby R1 (I assume you’ll dismiss this one as underpowered?), the Hiby R3 (II), and the pricier FiiO JM21 (though, to be honest, I probably can't afford that one).
If anyone has other ideas in this price range, please share your thoughts and experiences. To clarify what I’m looking for: I need sound quality and plenty of power—specifically to drive my on-ear headphones, the Porta Pro and PX 100. Yes, they are lightweight, but the only thing that has truly driven them properly so far is an M-Audio card. Thanks for your time!
u/Pure-Teaching-3220 — 17 hours ago