The Best DAPs of 2024
The Best Digital Audio Players of the Year
Arguably one of our top sellers year after year, Digital Audio Players (DAPs) are the ultimate portable audio companions for everyday listening. While MP3 players and modern smartphones have long been a popular choice, DAPs have quickly captured a large portion of the audiophile community, delivering hi-res, lossless audio from top streaming services in a compact form factor. We could never pick just one best-seller, and with the help of you guys, we've gone through and determined the BEST of the BEST for 2024. These are the top-selling DAPs that Moon Audio customers are loving and we couldn't agree more!
Best DAPs of 2024
Astell&Kern SP3000M Digital Audio Player
Incredible Size, Perfect for OTG Listening
Dynamic, Versatile Sound Quality
One of Astell&Kern's most portable DAPs yet, the A&ultima SP3000M Music Player delivers exceptional playback and performance in a lightweight, compact form factor. As the predecessor to the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000 DAP, the SP3000M retains many of the high-quality features like the Snapdragon 6125 Octa-Core processor, Digital Audio Remaster Technology (DAR), and TERATON ALPHA Sound Solution. With 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs and support for many audio formats, like LDAC, WAV, and FLAC, the SP3000M is a highly versatile digital audio player capable of Native DSD 512, and 32-bit/768kHz PCM, driving your favorite IEMs and headphones of various impedances. Equipped with Astell&Kern's flagship DAC chip AK4499EX from AKM, you'll enjoy a detailed, dynamic, and balanced sound quality with incredible imaging, layering, and a soundstage fit for an audiophile's discerning ears.
Who is the SP3000M for? The SP3000M is for the audiophile and music lover who never compromises on sound quality. If you loved the SP3000 and SP3000T, but the form factor turned you away–Meet the SP3000M. It's got an incredible form factor for everyday on-the-go listening, with a body made of lightweight aluminum, 10 hours of playback, and an included leather case. Meet your perfect portable audio companion and start enjoying some higher fidelity with the Astell&Kern A&ultima SP3000M DAP.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable
Astell&Kern SP3000T DAP Music Player
Triple Amp Mode for Sound Versatility
Real Raytheon Tube for Warm and Rich Sound
Building upon the success of the highly acclaimed SP3000 DAP, the SP3000T incorporates the warm, rich sound of tube amplification into a portable audio player. The SP3000T features Astell&Kern's innovative Triple Amp System, which was first introduced in 2021 with the A&ultima SP2000T. By integrating a real vacuum tube, Astell&Kern has created an authentic analog sound complemented by advanced audio features such as TERATON ALPHA, tube current settings, and the hybrid amp design. This unique fusion of analog and digital excellence results in an immersive auditory experience that defies convention, setting the A&ultima SP3000T apart as a truly exceptional portable audio player.
How does it compare to the SP3000M? Both the SP3000T DAP and SP3000M DAP take nods from the SP3000 but differ greatly in size and sound quality. The SP3000T DAP is for audiophiles who want an authentic analog sound with tube amplification. You get the luxury of digital and analog sound with the ability to swap between the two based on preference. The inclusion of the tube circuit brings countless possibilities for tailoring your music the way you want to listen to it and experimenting with new presentations to hear your music like never before. The SP3000T is larger than the SP3000M, made of stainless steel, and has three headphone jacks.
The SP3000T DAP features completely independent digital and analog signals, using the flagship AKM AK4499EX DAC for the analog signal and the AK4191EQ DAC for the digital signal. This results in incredible fidelity, layering, and imaging for a portable sonic palette. Versatility is the other big takeaway here. You have a tube circuit, an op-amp circuit, and every other possibility in between. Audiophiles like choices, and Astell&Kern is giving them to us.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable
Shanling M9 Plus Music Player DAP
Portable Powerhouse
Neutral-Warm Sound
Based on the same Android platform as the original M9 DAP, the Shanling M9 Plus DAP features many improvements including the new flagship AKM DAC system, 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, and improved power supply. The M9 Plus DAP features Shanling's Quad DAC design squeezing four AKM AK4499EX DACs into the player, getting access to an 8-channel audio design for an independent balanced circuit. The quad DAC design offers an increased current output and overall improved dynamics, better SNR, and lower background noise, with all four DACs being active for the balanced output.
The overall construction of the M9 Plus DAP follows the high standards set by the M9, with an expertly crafted CNC aluminum body made of a single piece of aluminum, this time shortened by 0.5cm, for a bit more compact dimensions. Users will enjoy a beautiful 6-inch 2k touchscreen with a speedy Snapdragon 665 octa-core CPU running open Android 10 system, packing 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking, generous 256GB internal memory for all your apps, and a MicroSD card with support up to 2TB.
With three independent XC9519 converters integrated into the DAC and headphone circuit, the M9 Plus boasts the most stable power supply among all Shanling portable players, ensuring optimal working conditions for all its audio components. Listeners can enjoy 18 hours of playback using the single-ended output, 11 hours using the balanced output, and 83 hours via a Bluetooth connection.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable
Onix Overture XM5 Music Player DAP
Doubles as a USB DAC/Amp Combo
Dynamic, Detailed Sound Quality
Inspired by the audio design of the ONIX Miracle Stack, the ONIX Overture XM5 DAP brings the sound of the flagship ESS ES9039PRO DAC to a portable audio setup. Highly detailed, overflowing with dynamics and energy, while bringing husky and smooth voices. Paired with two TPA6120A2 amplifiers for exceptional power from a portable device, offering over 1W @ 32 Ohm. With a simple and fast system powered by the Ingenic X2000 platform, the Overture XM5 DAP is capable of playing uninterrupted hi-res audio files from a MicroSD card, streaming with the streaming service TIDAL, or running over DLNA/AirPlay.
The Overture XM5 Digital Audio Player is the perfect portable solution for everyday OTG listening, with two headphone outputs–3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced–and Bluetooth connectivity. Listeners can easily connect their favorite pair of wireless headphones and earbuds for a hands-free listening experience or enjoy up to 14 hours of battery life via a wired connection. While designed mainly as a portable player for headphone users, The ONIX Overture XM5 will easily fit into many roles in your home, office, or dedicated Hi-Fi rig. Simply streaming YouTube from your phone over Bluetooth, serving as the ultimate USB DAC/Amp with your work laptop, offering digital out for standalone USB DACs, or acting as an independent DAC for your powerful monoblock amplifiers, audiophiles will always find new ways how to utilize the XM5 to its fullest potential.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Black Dragon USB Cable
Sony NW-WM1ZM2 Walkman DAP Music Player
Full, Luscious Sound
Outstanding Build Quality, Premium Materials
The top-of-the-line Sony WM1ZM2 Walkman DAP is the pinnacle of Sony's portable audio player lineup. This flagship digital audio player boasts a luxurious, gold-plated oxygen-free copper chassis that not only exudes elegance but also minimizes electrical interference and the OFC purity has been bumped up to 99.99% over the original WM1Z Walkman DAP. The copper lends the player its unique natural, acoustic sound and its conductivity and raw strength reinforce the Walkman with unrivaled audio performance. It's been called the Golden Brick, and yes, it does weigh a bit more at just over 17 ounces. We like to call it an Apple iPod on steroids!
With its generous 256GB storage capacity, the Sony NW-WM1ZM2 DAP can accommodate an extensive collection of high-resolution audio files. Under the hood, the player is equipped with top-tier high-end audio components and circuitry, including a fine sound resistor, a premium FT CAP3 capacitor, and Kimble Kable internal wiring— all working in harmony to create an immersive and emotive listening experience. Listeners can adjust the sound to their liking using the sound adjustments on the WM1ZM2: 10 Band Equalizer, DSEE Ultimate, DC Phase Linearizer, Dynamic Normalizer, and Vinyl Processor. With its unparalleled sound quality, 3.5mm and 4.4mm headphone jacks, and premium build, the Sony WM1ZM2 Walkman is a true masterpiece of portable audio engineering.
Dragon Cable Recommendation: Silver Dragon Premium USB Cable
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