I need a portable DAP (digital audio player) that will do the following:

[Rumble]

Play playlists I create in a music program such as Jriver, Audirvana etc. I want to replace my aging iPods/iTunes system and go with a newer DAP unit. My computers are Macs, so the DAP will also need to work with those operating systems. As I read user reviews about various DAPS, I keep seeing negative comments about units not working well with importing/playing playlists. And yes, I am something of a luddite with all this digital stuff!

So, can any of you recommend a decent DAP, that is user friendly with files and playlists? My budget is up to maybe $700 max, less is even better. I don't really need Bluetooth or WiFi, but it's fine if a player is equipped with those features. Thanks.

 

[cpt_paranoia]

Flash your iPod with Rockbox?

 

[Hifiler]

What about using your phone and a streaming app like Spotify?

 

[Rumble]

Flash your iPod with Rockbox?

I haven't ruled out updating my iPods (7th gen 160gb Classics). I'll check out Rockbox to see what it has to offer.

What about using your phone and a streaming app like Spotify?

Just got rid of my smart phone as I never used it for internet. Sportlng a lowly "flip" model now. Most all the music I'm interested in is in my cd collection ('50s-'80s). So I basically just rip to my computers.

 

[Hifiler]

Just got rid of my smart phone as I never used it for internet. Sportlng a lowly "flip" model now. Most all the music I'm interested in is in my cd collection ('50s-'80s). So I basically just rip to my computers.

This might be a very good incentive to go back to using a smartphone. If nothing else, they are excellent portable digital audio players.

Because if this, there really is no reason for a company to invest in and produce a standalone DAP, because basically everybody just uses their phones now.

Plus, you got access to a huge library of music, compared with your relatively tiny CD collection.

Try it, I guarantee you will never go back. And most likely you will be kicking yourself for not doing it sooner

 

[RTally]

I have two old smartphones that I use as music players/controllers. I got them from Craigs List cheap. If you look for a carrier locked phone, you should be able to get it for almost nothing because it is useless as a phone. But it will still work with WiFi. Another source is a friend who is upgrading to a new phone. My wife got an old phone that way and it works well as a music player/controller.

 

[Nixxuz]

You can use a smartphone as a DAP and only have it connect to wifi when needed. Any of the mid priced android phones at Walmart, or similar stores, will run PowerAmp, which I'm fairly sure you can import playlists into. Add a 256GB, or larger, SD card, and you should be good to go.

 

[Rumble]

Well, I have couple of old Samsung Galaxy Mini III's I could experiment with to see how this works.

Hifiler: my cd collection is around 700+ (around the same amount of albums). The '50s-'80s is the years my collection spans, 1950s-1980s. If I ever get decent internet service in my area, I will look into streaming.

 

[mzs1]

You can go to Walmart or Target or Best Buy (even Kroger sells them) and buy an inexpensive prepaid Android smartphone for $100 or less and a microSD card. You do not need to buy minutes for the phone, just the phone.

Boot up the phone without a SIM card and set it up on WiFi only. Use the microSD card on your Mac to drag and drop music files. Install the music player app of your choice on the phone. I like the Phonograph player but there are many choices for Android.

If you don't like the DAC and headphone amp built into the phone, there are plenty of DAC/headphone amp dongles that connect via the phone's USB port. John Darko has plenty of videos on YouTube about using external DACs with smartphones.

 

[benricci]

I mean, not to be snarky, but it just sounds like you need an iPod, to be honest.

 

[Rumble]

I mean, not to be snarky, but it just sounds like you need an iPod, to be honest.

Actually, I have come full circle, and decided to go with an iPod Touch. I tried a Surfans F20 DAP, and it actually did playlists, but the only way I could play it in my vehicles was through Bluetooth, which was kind of flakey, and it didn't display album art etc. So, I returned it to Amazon and ordered a Touch from Apple. Since my 4Runner and vintage Chevy truck systems are iPod friendly, I should have no problems.

 

[mzs1]

Actually, I have come full circle, and decided to go with an iPod Touch. I tried a Surfans F20 DAP, and it actually did playlists, but the only way I could play it in my vehicles was through Bluetooth, which was kind of flakey, and it didn't display album art etc. So, I returned it to Amazon and ordered a Touch from Apple. Since my 4Runner and vintage Chevy truck systems are iPod friendly, I should have no problems.

The only problem I have with iPods (and iPhones for that matter) is they tie you to iTunes. Otherwise they are excellent DAPs.

 

[benricci]

The only problem I have with iPods (and iPhones for that matter) is they tie you to iTunes. Otherwise they are excellent DAPs.

Lol, no they don't. There are plenty of music library apps, not to mention the countless streaming apps available for both iPod touch and iPhone. You can even easily modify any older iPods to run alternate software.

You can very easily use both modern and older Apple hardware for a DAP today and never have to touch Apple Music (iTunes was retired in 2019, btw).

 

[mzs1]

Lol, no they don't. There are plenty of music library apps, not to mention the countless streaming apps available for both iPod touch and iPhone. You can even easily modify any older iPods to run alternate software.

You can very easily use both modern and older Apple hardware for a DAP today and never have to touch Apple Music (iTunes was retired in 2019, btw).

OP explicitly said they didn't want to deal with Bluetooth or WiFi so streaming apps are out for them but I agree in general, that's how I run my iPhone. How can you import a few hundred/thousand FLAC files onto an iPod touch or iPhone without using iTunes or the Apple Music app? I'd love to know because I have an iPhone and loathe iTunes so just use Spotify on my phone. I could cancel my Spotify subscription and just import my FLAC files.

iTunes still exists for Windows, by the way.

 

[cpt_paranoia]

How can you import a few hundred/thousand FLAC files onto an iPod touch or iPhone without using iTunes or the Apple Music app?

MediaMonkey? It will talk to iThings, and even pull music off them into a sensible file structure, undoing the obfuscation iThings apply.

Not sure that iPod (or other iThings) handles FLAC, though; you'd have to install Rockbox to do that.

 

[mzs1]

MediaMonkey? It will talk to iThings, and even pull music off then into a sensible file structure, undoing the obfuscation iThings apply.

I will look into it. In the past I used DoubleTwist I think it was called, but that stopped working. Thank you!

 

[cpt_paranoia]

One problem seems to be that Apple keep changing their interface, possibly to enforce compliance with their 'ecosystem', so everyone has to play catch up.

I have used it to talk to an iPad 2 and an old iPod. I haven't used it for a while. it did need an apple component to communicate with the iThing, but it wasn't the entire bloatware iTunes installation.

 

[mzs1]

One problem seems to be that Apple keep changing their interface, possibly to enforce compliance with their 'ecosystem', so everyone has to play catch up.

I have used it to talk to an iPad 2 and an old iPod. I haven't used it for a while. it did need an apple component to communicate with the iThing, but it wasn't the entire bloatware iTunes installation.

That is my concern, the cat and mouse game is eventually why DoubleTwist gave up and why I will probably end up going back to Android. I like being able to just drag-and-drop files without having to use bloatware like iTunes or Apple Music. I do like iOS except for things like this.

The last time I gave in and used iTunes, I had to transcode all my FLACs into ALAC. I'm pretty sure all that happened was the file name changed - the transcode was extremely quick. Makes me wonder why Apple bothered to create their own format when FLAC exists and is open. I'm pretty sure iOS natively supports FLAC now though.

 

[PianotunerNJ]

I’m not going to pretend I’ve listened to lots of cell phones for audio, but generally they’re not well regarded for that purpose.

Also, I cannot say which apps or if there are apps that work on android and do the things that the OP is looking for.

Having said that, I have a Fiio M11 DAP, and it’s a very versatile device. It’s a player, Bluetooth receiver and sender, wifi, a DAC, and a great sounding HP amp with standard and balanced outs in 2 jack sizes. Also, it sports a coax digital out for use with external DAC if desired. Plus slots for 2 microSD cards up to 2TB each. All this for $400. Add a pair of balanced phones and it’s really awesome. In my case I picked up a cable that converts the 4.4 balanced output to a pair of balanced pro style XLR connectors which allows me to plug direct to pro amp. So, it’s a player, streamer, DAC and HP amp that round on android, with lots of app options. Like a HiFi Swiss Army knife. I have 2 TB of memory in mine and it’s a ton of CD rips, full quality flac, and high res flack and DSD. I recommend looking at one if you’re considering a DAP.

 

[Mike Stehr]

Bought a Fiio M6 DAP to use at work.
Rather impressive little unit for 130 bucks, and sounds just as good if not better than a common run of the mill CD player to my ears.

Liked it enough that I mentioned it to an audio friend...he replied that he has the M11 Pro.
So I bought one for home use. No more used up shelf space, mechanical noises, glitches, or scattered CDs.
And the sound quality is amazing.