The 10 Best Hi-Res Audio, HD Music Players, MP3 Players, and DAP’s 2024

The Rise of the HD Music Player (DAP for Audiophiles

Why use a digital audio player (DAP) in 2024?

Audiophiles now have many options as the hi-res audio player (DAP) gained popularity in recent years, and it’s becoming difficult to keep up with all the new gadgets that are coming out.

The greatest HD music player (DAP) is something that many of you are curious about. The variety of options available in a small compact is astounding, and many of these audiophile players have captured our attention. Additionally, you don’t want a poor DAP to stifle the sound if you’re using some of the greatest headphones available.

Selecting the best one is challenging due to increasingly competitive pricing.

We made this list of the top 10 hi-res gamers we could locate since we wanted to make things a little easier. Everything we have included here has been tried, and if there isn’t a complete review yet, one will be posted on the website shortly.

What DAP’s Do We Use?

Since a lot of folks have asked, I’ll just say that this is the DAP that I use right now (Updated June 2024). It is the ideal music player for me right now, but I’m not claiming that it is for everyone. It sounds amazing.

Although I test a lot of other devices as well, that one has received the most attention in recent months.

I use a lot of various players when I’m traveling or commuting, but I like smaller devices like Bluetooth DAC/Amps. The iFi Go Blu is the one I now use, and if you’re searching for something compact, it might be something to think about.

It should go without saying that what works for me may not work for you. Any of the musicians on this list would be great to listen to every day.

15 Best Hi-Res Audio Players and MP3 players for Audiophiles

1. Hiby R4

Specification:

• Battery: 10.5 hours tested, 11 hours claimed
• Chipset: Snapdragon 665
• 3GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM
• Connectivity: balanced 3.5mm and 4.4mm

Review

Over the past year, Hiby has surpassed every one of my expectations. I was impressed as the owner of the R6 Mark 2, and after looking at their new models, I can state with certainty that they are now the class leaders for DAPs under $500.

At its pricing, the Hiby R4 simply isn’t comparable. I expected some shortcuts because it costs $249, but try as I may, this is a gadget that will work for most audiophiles who want a powerful digital music player to power expensive headphones and IEMs.

With an Android 12 operating system and a Snapdragon 665, it feels lag-free and responsive, although I didn’t notice a significant decrease in battery life. I was able to test the 3.5mm output for 10.5 hours and the balanced 4.4mm connector for 8.5 hours. Please be aware that the amp used will affect the results.

Inside, there are two ESS Sabre DACs that can decode MQA 16x unfolded and DSD 256 Native. Both it and the amp portion, which provides both class A and class AB, are powerful enough to fully drive headphones or IEMs.

The best thing about this, I believe, is that it doesn’t feel at all like an entry-level or mid-level DAP. Its large screen, clicky buttons, and metal casing give it a very high-end feel, and it blends in perfectly with my more costly DAPs.

2. Fiio M17

Specification:

• Battery: 6.5 hours tested; 10 hours 8 balanced (claimed)
• Chipset: Snapdragon 660
• 4GB of RAM
• Connectivity options include 1/4 inch stereo, 3.5mm, 2.5mm balanced, and 4.4mm balanced.

Review

The Fiio M17 would be my preferred MP3 player if I were to move from the iBasso DX320, which I use on a daily basis. I think both have excellent sound quality. Everything else is a matter of taste; I have always used iBasso, so I continue to do so. Both are elite in the real world and, in my opinion, the top two DAPs available in 2024.

The M17’s ability to fit so many desktop components into such a compact box is what most strikes me about it. Full-size desktops and hifi components use the ES9038PRO DAC, but the house (in partnership with THX) amp is very powerful.

Since many audiophiles would link this player with their entire HiFi system, it is nice to find that it supports all codecs, including MQA 8 and DSD 512.

Now, the problem here is that, while this is a DAP, I would use it more as a portable solution and make use of its power system if I had one. Although the components are good, the DX320 is more portable.

Particularly when utilized in balanced configurations, the battery life is poor. Since it takes more than four hours to charge from dead to full, you must make sure you have the patience to do it. In my tests, I discovered that six hours was more practical.

The Fiio M17 is a test of our ability to push the hobby to its limits. Fiio has undoubtedly done so with this one; it’s insane, but equally great in every way.

3. Fiio M11 Plus

Specification:

• Battery: 10 hours tested, 11.5 hours claimed
• Chipset: Snapdragon 660
• DAC: Two ES9068AS
• Connectivity: 4.4mm balanced, 2.5mm balanced, and 3.5mm

Review

Fiio has long dominated the low-cost DAP market, but in recent years they have broadened their product line and are now regarded as one of the world’s top producers of music players and amplifiers. The company’s most recent mid-range product, the M11 Plus, is arguably their best value in terms of both price and performance.

Several high-resolution audio formats, including DSD, DSF, DFF, PCM, APE, Flac, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, WMA, PCM, MP3, OGG, and ACC, are supported by the M11 Plus.

For its size and cost, this music player is incredibly powerful, and its sound quality rivals that of many of AK’s entry-level models. Even though the interface isn’t as polished, it’s still a great deal. Take a look at this list of specs.

Two-way LDAC, 2.5mm, 3.5mm, and 4.4mm headphone outputs, with an 11.5-hour battery life Bluetooth, USB Audio/DAC, SPDIF output, 2.4/5G WiFi, DLNA, WiFi file transfer, FiiO Link, Apple AirPlay, and two-way Type-C

4. SHANLING M6 Ultra

Specification:

• 13 normal to 10 balanced (tested) hours of battery
• Chipset: Snapdragon 665
• DAC & Amp: Dual OPA2211 Amps & Quad AK4493SEQ DAC
• Connectivity: 4.4mm balanced, 2.5mm balanced, and 3.5mm

Review

For years, Shanling has been improving the M6 line, which is the company’s mid-range MP3 player, and it keeps getting better. My go-to DAP was the original, which was so excellent. I recently switched out my iBasso DX240 for the Ultra, and I’ve been enjoying the performance in the compact, well-known package.

This bad boy’s sound section is powered by quad DACs and dual amps, while the hardware is powered by the amazing Snapdragon 665, which is even more powerful than the more costly HD music players on this list. This indicates that it’s among the most reliable and seamless user experiences I’ve had with one of these gadgets.

When combined with good headphones, the sound quality is unmatched; it creates a rich, detailed, and authentic sound. Since this has 16x MQA and DSD512 built in, codec support will be helpful.

while you take into account the size and power ratio, the battery life is also excellent. I was able to play music for 13 hours while using a 3.5mm jack and 10 hours when using balanced.

5. FiiO M11S Hi-Res MP3 Music Player

Specification:

• 13 hours of battery life
• Chipset: Snapdragon 660
• Chipset for DAC: ES9038Q2M DAC
• Connectivity: 4.4mm balanced, 2.5mm balanced, and 3.5mm

Review:

For its budget, the Fiio M11S is an excellent digital audio player (DAP), offering many of the capabilities of more costly versions without sacrificing any essential functionality.

Even if its size is acceptable because to its pocketability, it offers one of the best battery lives on test. It is incredibly stable and smooth, running Android 10 on the potent Snapdragon 660 chipset that Fiio’s engineers have optimized.

Because I can switch between my full-size cans and IEMs without a dongle and because of the enormous power it generates, I appreciate that they have provided me with a variety of well-balanced options. I never thought there wasn’t enough power.

I recommend using them with some cans that have a little warmth to them because the sound is really transparent, almost to the point of sounding dry.

Overall, I believe that the M11s are a really well-polished product, which is the greatest thing I can say about them. Its owners probably don’t ever criticize this player because it does a lot of good and very little bad.

6. Hidizs AP80 PRO-X

Specification:

• 13 normal to 10 balanced (tested) hours of battery
• Chipset: X1000 Ingenic
• DAC: ESS9219C Dual DAC
• Connectivity: balanced 2.5mm and 3.5mm

Review:

When it comes to portable and reasonably priced devices, there’s no better way to start than with the Hidizs AP80. As might be expected given its size, this tiny DAP offers a ton of high-resolution goodies for your music, including broad support for audiophile-grade codecs like MQA 8X, LDAC, and Aptx. It even includes DSD compatibility, but it is only 256.

Even while browsing through massive music libraries on the external micro SD slot, the performance appears to be unaffected by the slight savings on the Ingenic chipset, despite the fact that the internals are also sturdy. The cash was set aside to provide us with two Sabre DACs and plenty of power from the amplifier section, which is absolutely fantastic.

The sound from the 3.5mm jack isn’t particularly noteworthy; in fact, it was nearly identical to the sound from my Sony Xperia headphone jack. However, when I connected my difficult-to-drive Beyerdynamic headphones, I was astounded by the amount of power it was putting out and, consequently, driving them to their full potential.

Although recharging times were quick, the battery life suffered once more as I only got six hours balanced on a single charge.

7. SURFANS F20

Specification:

• FLAC, WAV, WMA, M4A, MP3, MP2, AAC, APE, ALAC, OGG, AIFF, DFF, and Native DSD64 are among the codecs supported.
• Ten hours of battery life
• Touchscreen: Not
• Maximum Capacity: 32GB built-in, with Micro SD expansion to 256GB

Review:

There is now somewhat of a cult following for the Surfans F20. This high-resolution MP3 player caters to users who want to store their music collection on an SD card over lossless streaming applications. One of the greatest options on our list of the best inexpensive DAPs, it’s an old-school audiophile DAP that provides excellent value.

It has Bluetooth output if you choose to utilize it, and it supports all of the major lossless file formats. The low cost and good sound quality more than compensate for the absence of applications and a touchscreen. It has a dark black background, a spacious sound, and a lot of power.

Last but not least, I adore the Surfans F20’s tank-like construction, clicky, tactile buttons, and scroll wheel. I was transported back to a more carefree era when I wasn’t tapping on displays and could utilize my DAP for its intended purpose. playing music.

8. Sony NW WM1ZM2

Specification:

• Amp: digital amplification S-MasterTM HX
• 40 hours of battery life
• 5-inch touchscreen
• Output: 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm stereo

Review:

Stunning is not even close to describing this gorgeous DAP’s chassis. The NW-WM1ZM2 is a stylish and high-end MP3 player since its body is made of copper and then gold-plated.

Even at the exorbitant price point, you get the impression that Sony isn’t taking any short cuts when they go big on a product.

The interior cabling has a Kimber design braid and is completely new. The player’s unique FT capacitors provide a ton of power. Rich, detailed sound is delivered into the balanced headphone connection by the amplifier, which is also custom-built with their proprietary S-Master-HX.

The player is easy to use thanks to its enormous, gorgeous touchscreen, and we adored the crisp, tactile input that comes from the actual playback controls on the side. Finally, it’s a high-resolution DAP with a micro SD card slot that allows you to add an additional 1TB of capacity to store all of your high-resolution music files. It has 256GB of internal memory.

9. Ibasso DX240

Specification:

• Ten hours of battery life
• Chipset: Snapdragon 660
• DAC: ES9038 Pro
• Outputs: 3.5mm stereo and 2.5mm balanced

Review:

Being the second Ibasso player to make our list, this one is excellent for daily listening.

When the cost is taken into account, this is a flawless example of execution with minimal opportunity for improvement.

The DX240 is a real Hi-Res experience and the younger brother of our favorite DAP, the DX300. The core of this music player is an ES9028 pro-DAC chip, which supports DSD512 and 32bit/768kHz and enables insane resolution playback. It’s among the greatest DAPs available for playing back MQA files while out and about because it also has MQA.

Additionally, users may switch out the amplifier units, which makes it a powerful and adjustable player.

Through the connectors on the bottom, it may be used with balanced headphones, and Tidal allows for high-resolution streaming.

10. HIFI WALKER H2 Touch

Specification:

• Supported Codecs: Native DSD (up to 128 bit/5.6 MHz), FLAC, APE, DFF, MP3, WAV, WMA, M4A, MP2, AAC(M4A), ALAC, OGG, and AIFF
• DAC: ES9219
• Ten hours of battery life
• Touchscreen: In agreement

Review:

Budget audiophiles love the Hifi Walker H2, and Walker continues to improve on its popularity with the new H2 touch. It adds a touchscreen for more user-friendly control while retaining many of the features we enjoyed about the original, such as its portable size and good sound quality.

It features a well-liked Sabre DAC unit at its core and excellent support for high-resolution music files.