Right at the beginning:Actually, MP3 player is the wrong term for modern, separate audio players. Nowadays they are mostly under the English term»DAP«(Digital Audio Player).
The devices usually run Android and look like smartphones - only without a mobile network, telephony or SMS. However, Bluetooth and WLAN are predominantly on board.
Anyone who isn't in the audiophile bubble of the Internet will probably be surprised that such devices still exist. In fact, there are many models available from various manufacturers and themselvesSony will continue to market DAPs under the name “Walkman” in 2024.
While DAPs are more niche products compared to smartphones, they still have a loyal fan base. Audiophiles in particular swear by their high-quality components and their sound.
Why I switched to a DAP
I stumbled into the area by chance at the beginning of 2023 when Sony introduced two new Walkman models. I grew up with dedicated audio equipment and own several cassette Walkmans, Discmans and Minidisc players, which I still use from time to time today. And of course at some point I also had an MP3 player, back then in USB stick format.
I actually still have a lot of music stored locally and some of it isn't available to hear on streaming platforms to this day. I found thatIdea of a dedicated MP3 player excitingand finally bought a Sony Walkman.
I used the player often, but with a heavy heart I swapped it for another model for one reason:Sony adheres very strictly to the EU volume limit regulationsto 85 decibels.
That's laudable, but nobody knows which reference headphones were used to set the limit - and that's exactly where the problem lies. Headphones that are easy to operate achieve a high volume on the Walkman, while models that are more power-hungry achieve thisjust at room volume. This is only sufficient if it is very quiet around you.
In Japan and a few other countries, Sony players are available without this restriction. However, mine had them and that really annoyed me. So I sold the device with a heavy heart and decided on a Hiby player. The device has no volume restrictions and has done its job excellently ever since.
Why doesn't he just use his smartphone?
Almost everyone I talk to about such an audio player asks this question. And yes, of course I can listen to music wonderfully on my smartphone. However, a separate device also has advantages.
Advantages of a DAP: Audio quality and focus
Let's take the Sony Walkman as an example. The device comes from the factoryClear with all possible audio formats, in addition to FLAC also with DSD, MQA files and even more exotic ones. Of course, MP3s can also be played, but audio fans naturally prefer uncompressed audio quality on such devices.
Many DAP users also wantlisten to music in peaceand not be disturbed by incoming messages or notifications. It might be a bit like using a Kindle - because you could also read e-books on your tablet or smartphone.
Our listening habits have also changed significantly in recent years. Music is often listened to on the cell phone and becomes like the radio, which for many people is also a purely incidental medium.
In addition, many modern smartphones are functionally equipped, but sometimes do not require the highest audio quality. This is exactly the case with DAPs, and even more so with the higher-priced ones.
A DAP is primarily designed toMusic in the best possible qualityto play. This means that it is equipped with specialized components. Many DAPs usehigh-quality chipsets, headphone amplifiers and powerful DACs(Digital-to-analog converter). These enable precise signal processing and can thus improve the sound compared to a cell phone.
Manufacturers sometimes also integrate them into their audio playersSoftware features to improve sound. Among other things, recordings in compressed quality can be upscaled using algorithms so that they sound better.
In addition, music is usually available locally and also from streaming servicesplayed with bit precision. This means that the audio data comes 1:1 from the source to the headphones. This is not always the case on smartphones and the resolution or sample rate may change depending on the system. Whether you can hear the difference remains to be seen, but it doesData is sometimes falsified.
A DAP can be compared to a high-quality hi-fi system. Of course, an inexpensive compact system or a modern Bluetooth speaker can also play music. However, with higher quality devices the sound can be even better - yes, maybe it's a placebo effect at some point, but that's a different discussion.
Another advantage concerns theHeadphone connection options. Bluetooth headphones can of course be connected, but so can wired headphones, often even those with a so-calledPentaconn connector– a balanced audio plug, which is intended to ensure better sound quality.
High-quality hi-fi headphones in particular are increasingly coming with the 4.4 millimeter plug. Many DAPs therefore haveIn addition to the 3.5 millimeter socket, there is also such a connection. This means that the headphones can be used directly on the audio player without an adapter or cable replacement.
Also practical:There are often physical buttons for music control, and some devices also have two memory card slots for large, local music libraries.
Of course there are also disadvantages
Many manufacturers use it as an operating systemoutdated Android 12one, OS updates are almost never offered. Sony did this with its last two, comparatively cheap Walkmans, but not with the previous, significantly more expensive ones from 2022 - and these devices are priced between 1,400 and 3,600 euros.
Added to this is thatCPU and RAM mostly mid-range smartphones from several years agosame. The result: The devices are nowhere near as responsive as a cell phone and things can sometimes stutter when scrolling or changing apps. Those tooSmartphone displays are often significantly betterand above all brighter.
High quality DAPs cancan quickly cost over 1,000 euros– and there are also models that cost well over 3,000 euros. But: There are just as many affordable models that are available for under 100 euros.
Another disadvantage that I experienced myself with my Sony player: ThisLoss of value upon resale can be enormous, because the target group is relatively small and specific.
This means that the resale value is often significantly lower than the original price - in my case it was half the new price, also because of the EU volume limit.
Is a DAP worth it?
Despite all the supposed disadvantages, definitely for me! I've grown to love my DAP and use it whenever I'm on the go. What I particularly like is that I can use my cable headphones without themcan be used, as well as the long battery life and independence from the smartphone.
And indeedI personally listen to music more consciously againand even go through entire albums, something I haven't done on my smartphone for many years. Maybe it's the nostalgic feeling that these devices offer me - the memory of a time when music wasn't just background noise, but a real experience.
Of course, everyone has to know for themselves whether a DAP is worth it for them or whether a cell phone is completely sufficient. That isOn the one hand it's purely a matter of taste, on the other hand the devices sometimes cost a lot of money, which not everyone wants or can spend.
Before you buy a DAP because of the supposedly better audio quality, remember one important point:If you are looking for better sound, then you should first invest in high-quality headphones. The difference in sound quality through better headphones is much more noticeable than that between a good DAP and a smartphone.
Have you ever heard of DAPs or maybe you use an audio player yourself instead of your smartphone? Please let me know your opinion in the comments.
