The highest MP3 gamers and hi-res audio gamers out there, all examined by our consultants
The perfect MP3 gamers ship distinctive high-resolution sound by way of superior, built-in digital-to-analog converters (DACs). These units do greater than merely taking part in lossy MP3 recordsdata – and each participant featured on this information has been examined by our professional staff to make sure it meets the very best requirements.
Fashionable MP3 gamers help hi-res audio codecs like FLAC, DSD, WAV, MQA, and ALAC. Which implies whether or not you are a fan of downloading your favourite tracks or streaming from platforms like Apple Music , Qobuz, or Tidal, these gamers make sure you get pleasure from music in full, lossless high quality.
Digital audio gamers (generally referred to as DAPs) are an ideal match for the finest wired headphones, although many additionally embrace Bluetooth help for pairing with the finest wi-fi headphones or finest earbuds. The world of MP3 gamers has modified dramatically in recent times – as soon as dominated by the enduring iPod, though as of late the iPod Shuffle is extra common as a hair clip. It is now crammed with units that supply unparalleled audio experiences. On this information, you will uncover our prime picks.
With a long time of mixed experience, our audio staff rigorously checks every MP3 participant earlier than it earns a spot on this checklist. You may belief our critiques and proposals – if it’s lower than par, it doesn’t make the lower.
The fast checklist
Need to lower the prolonged explanations and simply discover out which digital audio gamers are the very best? We’re right here for it – right here they’re. You too can bounce to a full evaluation of every product, and click on by way of to see the very best offers on it.
Finest for most individuals
FiiO’s March 2024-release M23 affords a fragile but muscular sound high quality that is lavishly detailed. It is a bit of huge on your skinny denims pocket, however when you do not thoughts that…
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2. Astell & Kern A&norma SR35
Finest step-up mannequin
Whether or not this beautiful little A&Okay participant might be thought of ‘entry-level’ is not up for debate – it is too costly for that. However when you can afford it, the SR35 is so, so price it.
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Finest low cost ‘A&Okay’ purchase
It would not appear like an Astell & Kern participant, and it is not priced like an A&Okay participant. However Activo is A&Okay’s subsidiary – so it’s. Additionally, we have examined it and allow us to inform you, it feels like an A&Okay participant…
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Finest funds Sony
Sony’s newest hi-res streaming participant has rapidly turn out to be the best choice relating to worth for cash, regardless of supporting significantly high-end codecs.
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Finest money-no-object
We gave the Astell & Kern SP3000T a uncommon 5-star evaluation. It’s totally costly, however sound is stellar and it goes an awfully good distance in direction of justifying the asking value.
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Finest inexpensive FiiO purchase
FiiO’s M11S affords stellar hi-res sound high quality and premium audio participant options – and since it has been outdated by the M23 (above) it undercuts a lot of the competitors.
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7. Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T
Finest premium
Astell & Kern is thought for delivering elite and superbly made hi-res audio, and that is on the pinnacle. It is extraordinarily well-specced, and sounds merely astounding.
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8. Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 MKII
Finest A&Okay-branded inexpensive choose
The SR25 MKII’s sound is as expressive, expansive and decisive as Astell & Kern’s trademark brutalist aesthetic. It isn’t low cost, however it’s the most inexpensive A&Okay-branded choose in our information.
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9. Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000
Finest for design
The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 is without doubt one of the perfect digital audio gamers there may be. The excellent news? It appears pretty too, with a shocking rose gold end.
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Finest ultra-cheap purchase
Look, it will not play hi-res stuff and it isn’t acquired a touchscreen. However for a fuss-free, go away the telephone at dwelling music choice, it does a job – and it is acquired a clip on your garments.
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Becky Scarrott
I’ve reviewed over 150 audio merchandise since changing into a tech journalist, starting from super-budget earbuds to high-end Hello-Res Audio music gamers. Earlier than becoming a member of TechRadar, I spent three years at What Hello-Fi? testing every thing the world of audio needed to supply; earlier than that, I used to be an expert dancer. My love of music ties all of it collectively.
December 13, 2024
Refreshed the introduction. Added particulars of the Activo Q1 wired IEMs into our Activo P1 entry as they need to pair effectively collectively. Up to date copy to ensure every thing on this information is bang updated.
Finest digital audio gamers 2024: the checklist
Why you possibly can belief TechRadar We spend hours testing each services or products we evaluation, so that you might be positive you’re shopping for the very best. Discover out extra about how we check.
The perfect MP3 participant general
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BUY IT IF
✅ You desire a excessive commonplace of engineering: The construct and end right here is not precisely luxurious, however it’s a incredible piece of tech.
✅ You desire a incredible all-rounder: Different decisions on this information do particular issues higher, however this one ticks all of the packing containers.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You desire a flawless listening expertise: Look, general it sounds incredible however we did discover some minor and occasional glitches.
❌ You desire a small and transportable system: It isn’t huge, but it surely’s not essentially the most dinky or compact choice on this information.
FiiO has turn out to be an audio specialist we’re so used to making use of the phrase “nice worth, high-performance transportable audio electronics” to that the M23 may virtually be seen as a run-of-the-mill participant. Nearly. As a result of it is merely not. The corporate has thrown completely every thing it may possibly at this high-resolution audio participant by way of specification; we have but to seek out an audio file sort it will not settle for, deal with, unpack and rejoice. Additionally, the design is stable however elegant (if a tiny bit huge on your skinny denims, at 299g), it is snappy in operation and, in contrast to some smaller gamers, its touchscreen is straightforward to make use of.
How does it sound? Minor (and positively sporadic) audio playback trip-ups apart, that is an absolute audio beast of the very best caliber. In each single circumstance and with each file-type and dimension we feed it, the M23 sounds assertive, muscular, lavishly detailed and vaultingly dynamic – but additionally refined, nuanced and refined. It is even ready to tolerate lowly sub-16bit/44.1kHz content material when you merely should, though when you’re investing on this participant, you actually also needs to put money into an excellent music streaming service subscription – oh, sure, it really works on amended model of Android (Android 12 on this occasion) and can fortunately load up your Tidal, Apple Music and Qobuz subscription apps by way of the Play Retailer.
It appears principally inconceivable to throw FiiO out of its constructive, assured stride as of late – and this wonderful March 2024-issue participant is additional proof.
Learn our full Fiio M23 evaluation
The perfect step up mannequin
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BUY IT IF
✅ You want the feel and appear of high-end tech: Utilizing this MP3 participant and feeling it in your hand is a luxurious expertise and we will not get sufficient of it.
✅ You have got small fingers and good eyes: The three.6-inch touchscreen appears nice, but it surely’s pretty small in comparison with rivals.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You are not keen to get an amazing pair of headphones: You may get the very best expertise from a pair of achieved and (sorry) costly headphones.
❌ You desire a slim and compact participant: This feature is not huge, precisely, however you will discover a extra streamlined design elsewhere.
Look, nonetheless a lot Astell & Kern needs to consider that is an ‘entry degree’ participant, it isn’t – it’s actually fairly costly in anybody’s cash. Astell & Kern would not usually funds choices, and it is $100 (or round £150) greater than the FiiO choice above.
However the excellent news is that the premium nature of the SR35 applies to the specification, the sound high quality and the consumer interface in addition to the excessive ticket-price. It is an distinctive participant. It is concerning the dimension of a deck of playing cards and at 184g it is not the lightest DAP available on the market, however consider us once we inform you that the 4 onboard DAC filters and improved amp circuitry are price just a few additional grams – and when you can afford it, the more-than-few-extra {dollars} you will pay.
Additionally, whereas the SR35 deserves the very best commonplace of content material you possibly can afford to load up onto it, it’s much less fussy than many rival gamers. So when you ought to actually be giving it the entire 24bit/192kHz FLAC recordsdata, this explicit Astell & Kern will readily tolerate and ship 320kbps Spotify streams higher than most.
No matter you are listening to, the sound this participant is able to is deft, detailed and enjoyable such as you wouldn’t consider. Even the shortest listening periods will turn out to be prolonged deep-dives into much-loved tracks, to see what this fantastic thing about a DAP can do with them.
Learn our full Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 evaluation
The perfect low cost A&Okay purchase
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BUY IT IF
✅ You need excessive specs at a low value: In case your funds cannot stretch to the higher-end gamers, you will be proud of this one.
✅ You have already acquired nice headphones: Sure, this is applicable to most units on this information however you will get the very best expertise from good headphones.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You need to use AirPods: Apple headphones will not play good with the supported audio codecs.
❌ You are a Spotify subscriber: This participant is barely nearly as good as its supply and proper now Tidal and Apple Music are a lot better streamers.
We’ll communicate plain: we actually (actually) like this July 2024-release participant, from Astell & Kern’s audio subsidiary model, Activo. We expect the issues dearer A&Okay gamers can do, that the Activo P1 can’t, aren’t actually noticeable to nearly all of us – and possibly don’t justify spending extra until you’re actually (actually) far into your audiophile journey.
It would not look fairly as costly as its mum or dad model’s angular, darkish metallic gamers but it surely’s what’s inside that counts, and below the hood the P1 is superb certainly: it is acquired the identical amplification as dearer gamers and an ESS ES9219Q SABRE Twin-DAC.
After all, crucial factor is how this participant sounds, and in that division it’s greater than deserving of the total 5 stars: it sounds excellent as a participant and in DAC mode it is a helpful audio improve on your pc. You may craft complicated EQ curves with the equaliser, however throughout our testing we tended to depart effectively alone – the P1 sounded so good with out our tweaks.
Along with its native playback, the P1 additionally works with the very best music streaming providers and contains full Play Retailer help. Any downsides? Two: it runs a bit of scorching, and it’s a little slower to start out up than gamers promoting for double, triple or quadruple the value. But when these small shortcomings don’t fret you, it is a nice little participant.
When you just like the look of the Activo P1 and also you’re agonizing over which headphones will pair finest with it, we have got you. As of late 2024, there’s now a set of Q1 in-ears to go along with it, specifically made by Activo in collaboration with Singaporean model, DITA Audio. We’re at present testing these in-ears and can hold you posted on what we expect and whether or not the buds and the DAC are a match made in heaven.
Learn our full Activo P1 evaluation
The perfect funds Sony purchase
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BUY IT IF
✅ You need hi-res for the bottom value: You may get hi-res audio right here however will not must spend a small fortune for this entry-level providing.
✅ You desire a gentle and compact choice: It is a small and streamlined system you will not discover in most pockets.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You need all of your hi-res audio with you: The inner reminiscence storage right here is not the very best – although you should buy a microSD card.
❌ You desire a premium feel and look: It is an inexpensive choice and it feels it, particularly relating to the display which might be extra responsive.
Not solely is that this plucky little participant a part of Sony’s new (however previous… however new!) Walkman lineup, it’s constructed to deal with extremely top quality audio recordsdata for a value that’s far more palatable than most of what’s at present on the market. The Sony NW-A306 was launched in 2023 and we’re so grateful that Sony determined to make a comeback with this admittedly nostalgic audio system – the tape cassette interface is a gloriously retro contact.
The place the NW-A306 is let down just isn’t in its music-playing talent, however within the slight niggles with its all spherical usability. The menu is usually a little unresponsive at occasions, the battery longevity can differ and surprisingly, it sometimes struggles when taking part in an ordinary 128kbps audio file, which is why we we compelled to regulate our star ranking below intense evaluation (by half a star to be actual). However there’s no denying that the positives vastly outweigh the negatives right here – particularly for the cash.
When you’re in search of a devoted hi-res audio participant, the Sony NW-A306 boasts a formidable spec sheet straight from the field. It helps audio recordsdata far above CD high quality – and greater than that, it actually shines with them. It additionally has a slim design that may slot in your pocket, which isn’t true of many hi-res gamers on this checklist.
Learn our full Sony NW-A306 evaluation
The perfect money-no-object MP3 participant
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BUY IT IF
✅ You solely need the very best: It is high-end and costly however oh boy does it virtually justify that eye-watering value.
✅ You do not thoughts an even bigger system: You may want sturdy pockets as it is a weighty and chunky participant, not less than in comparison with rivals.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ Longevity is a precedence: If you wish to hearken to hi-res recordsdata for lengthy durations of time the battery in all probability is not going to final.
❌ You are vegan: The case is produced from calf leather-based. No, we do not know why that is actually vital both.
We awarded the Astell & Kern SP3000T a uncommon 5-star ranking in our evaluation. As a result of regardless of the very fact that is an extremely costly MP3 participant, it is top-of-the-line we have ever examined.
As you would possibly anticipate, the Astell & Kern SP3000T sounded unimaginable. In our evaluation, we wrote that it delivers “an brisk, entertaining pay attention that prioritizes the enjoyment of music over the trivia of the way it’s been recorded.” It is also price mentioning that though the most important audio recordsdata carry out the very best, this MP3 participant makes the a lot of the recordsdata you give it and the headphones you utilize.
Not solely does it sound incredible, the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T appears premium. It’s produced from silver-plated stainless-steel, controls are superbly carried out and it has a secure and logical working system. Every thing about this MP3 participant delivers a premium expertise, from the way in which it sounds and handles to the way it appears. If cash is not any object and also you need solely the very best sound, that is the MP3 participant you want.
Learn our full Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000T evaluation
The perfect inexpensive FiiO purchase
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BUY IT IF
✅ You are on a funds: This is without doubt one of the extra inexpensive picks on this information, however you are still getting an amazing participant.
✅ You are completely happy to make use of wired headphones: Sure, you can use wi-fi headphones however wired ones will provide you with an infinitely extra pleasing expertise.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You have got small pockets: It isn’t big, but it surely’s not essentially the most compact alternative both.
❌ You need it for lengthy listening periods: Battery life won’t be unhealthy right here, but it surely’s solely common.
You don’t must pay attention lengthy, laborious, or by way of notably proficient headphones to grasp the M11S is the real article. In each significant music-making respect, it is acquired expertise – and in some areas, it’s a licensed professional. It has been outdated by the M23 on the prime spot on this checklist, however what of it? In hi-res audio, issues transfer a bit of slower.
The M11S is intuitive sufficient to make trifling or usually transient info obvious, and it may possibly relay essentially the most nuanced, delicate and dynamic variations in a solo instrument with ease. It has greater than sufficient headroom to dispatch larger shifts with out concern and when known as upon, it faithfully describes huge, vast and correctly outlined soundstages. The treble is probably a bit of on the brilliant facet, however not a lot that we would take into account it a fault – furthermore that it is our job nitpick and right here, we have now famous it.
There’s heaps to like right here together with an Android 10 working system, a touchscreen that is clean and responsive, a punchy but managed and detailed sound and a resoundingly elegant construct.
The Fiio M11S does a superb job of gently undercutting its closest rival, the Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 Mk II (additionally on this roundup). To not nudge you both means, but it surely’s straightforward to take a look at the saving you will make right here and determine it is price placing into a pleasant high-capacity microSD card, as a substitute of its pricier rival.
Learn our full Fiio M11S evaluation
The perfect premium MP3 participant
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BUY IT IF
✅ You want finer issues: One of the crucial premium and costliest choices on this information, when you like high-end tech, that is for you.
✅ You may afford headphones which can be simply as effective: Solely the very best wired headphones on the planet will do that participant justice.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You are in any doubt concerning the value: It is eye-wateringly costly. Sure, the audio is unimaginable however you will discover nice music elsewhere for a lot, a lot much less.
❌ You desire a slim system: It isn’t precisely cumbersome but it surely’ll stick out in most pockets.
The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T is without doubt one of the finest transportable music gamers you should buy proper now if cash is not any object. Sure, it is costly, but it surely has lately been outdated by the SP3000 and SP3000T (each listed right here), so if you’d like a premium digital audio expertise that may now be out there at a slight low cost, know that the SP2000T continues to be in A&Okay’s present lineup – and it sounds excellent.
Two amplifier phases supply seven distinct choices, whereas no fewer than 4 DACs are deployed to deal with two channels of audio info. The SP2000T is unconcerned by digital audio file dimension or sort, and it’ll fortunately energy any headphones you care to say.
The management interface is clear and responsive. As for the participant itself, it’s not a lot constructed as sculpted – hewn or cast, even! – although it’s too massive to slide into your denims pocket. Astell & Kern has continued this design with the SP2000s successor, the SP3000 (above), which additionally is available in a restricted version 24k gold casing.
Learn our full Astell & Kern A&ultima SP2000T evaluation
The perfect A&Okay-branded inexpensive choose
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BUY IT IF
✅ You care about worth: That is in all probability essentially the most fully-featured DAP you will discover out there at this mid-range degree.
✅ Portability is a precedence: All the units on this information are, technically, transportable, however that is smaller, lighter and can slot in most pockets.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ Your fingers are massive: You may nonetheless be capable of use this participant, however larger choices will go well with you higher.
❌ You are on a funds: It is extremely good worth for what you get, but it surely’s not precisely inexpensive by most requirements.
Give this A&Okay your music, sit again and calm down – if it would not wow you, we do not know what is going to. (Effectively, possibly the SP3000T.) The A&norma SR25 MKII is a gifted digital audio participant that may reignite your love of music. And in contrast to lots of the A&Okay’s extra expensive gamers, this one is sufficiently small to place in a pocket and can hold you streaming, pinging or downloading once-treasured songs to it, simply to see what it makes of them. This is the reason it is our prime choose when you’re in search of a extra inexpensive Astell & Kern choice.
In addition to the new-for-June-2022 4.4mm headphone jack, the MKII unit (an replace on the A&norma SR25) additionally boasts a brand new Replay Acquire operate to uniformly alter quantity playback from sound sources as much as 24-bit/192 kHz. You are additionally getting AK File Drop (first launched within the pricier A&futura SE180 participant) for simpler wi-fi file transfers; BT Sink operate for easier connection of the SR25 MKII to an exterior Bluetooth system and further inner silver-plated shielding to guard from electromagnetic interference.
Though it hasn’t been shouted about, 4 fairly different-sounding DAC filters are additionally onboard, which is able to work if listening in 24-bit/192kHz or much less PCM (though they will not work in MQA and DSD codecs) they usually definitely add worth and scope for personalisation on the degree. In case your funds stretches to this participant and never a penny extra, you will not be disenchanted.
And the ultimate essential contact is its distinctive design, with an off-angle display and the appears of a deck of playing cards that is been twisted. Everybody will need to maintain it and play with it.
Learn our full Astell & Kern A&norma SR25 MKII evaluation
The perfect MP3 participant for design
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BUY IT IF
✅ Seems to be matter to you: It is superbly designed and the end is impeccable; a stunning object.
✅ You have got high-end headphones: Once more, you do not want wonderful headphones however you will need them.
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You are in search of good worth: Every thing right here is impeccable, however you may get an identical sound for a lot much less.
❌ You are vegan: The case is produced from goatskin, which is able to postpone lots of people, particularly vegans.
The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 is without doubt one of the priciest DAPs in A&Okay’s arsenal of costly DAPs. It’s uncompromisingly specified (six DACs and full unbiased balanced and unbalanced audio circuits are simply two of its highlights) and you would be forgiven for submitting it below ‘high-end jewellery’ in its press photographs. However when you assume you are principally paying a premium for the spectacular design and casework right here (it is out there in Black, Silver, Copper or Gold) you actually should assume once more.
What are you paying for? Merely put, your cash’s occurring the way in which it sounds. Oh, and its huge, lovely touch-screen. It helps each worthwhile digital format going and the ground-breaking unbiased audio circuitry (it’s the solely participant to boast it but) retains the sign path for the balanced and unbalanced outputs completely separated.
It’s abundantly clear that Astell & Kern determined to not compromise the place technical specification was involved with the A&ultima SP3000. And that’s earlier than we point out the bespoke A&Okay-designed ‘Teraton X’ processor that nixes energy provide noise and any conceivable audio nasties derived from the quite a few DACs. The outcome? The SP3000 delivers each amplification and sound high quality that’s cleaner and extra environment friendly than any digital audio participant we have ever heard.
Learn our full Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 evaluation
The perfect ultra-cheap MP3 participant
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BUY IT IF
✅ You are on a really tight funds: That is essentially the most low cost and cheerful choice in our information, but it surely nonetheless works effectively.
✅ You do not care about hi-res recordsdata: Because the identify suggests, this actually is an MP3 participant – it will not unlock and ship hi-res file sorts equivalent to FLAC or MQA in all their glory
DON’T BUY IT IF
❌ You need plenty of room: There’s 16GB (though you possibly can add an SD card), which possible will not be sufficient if you wish to pack in each single certainly one of your albums.
❌ You need a touchscreen: A tool this low cost has to make sacrifices and a flowery touchscreen is the very first thing to go.
OK, so this participant can’t moderately be in comparison with the choices listed above – for starters, the one formally supported file sort is lowly, lossy, easy-to-store MP3 high quality. And it is lower than one tenth of the value of even the next-cheapest DAP right here. Obtained it? Good. Additionally, there is not any touchscreen, it solely holds 16GB natively (though that is round 4,000 MP3-quality songs so, you understand) and even when you needed to broaden on that with an SD card, your most storage is 128GB – or much more low-res songs! – earlier than it may possibly maintain no extra.
It will not stream over an web connection, so no downloading out of your favorite music streaming website, and it will solely settle for your 3.5mm-terminated headphones (no 4.4mm or 2.5mm ports right here) until you need to ditch wires and hook it as much as your wi-fi earbuds, which is able to influence the in any other case very-good 34-hour battery life.
So it is an MP3 participant which you will must manually obtain songs to – like the olden days. And now we have talked about every thing it may possibly’t do, let’s discuss what it may possibly handle: your music, particularly when you’re a runner. This factor is tiny, and it has a stunning sturdy clip to connect it to your garments. If that is what you are after – and handily, there’s additionally a stopwatch when you’re trying to beat your 10k PB – you have discovered an inexpensive and cheerful answer. To make clear, audiophiles might want to take a look at any of the 9 different choices inside this shopping for information. However possibly you are not a type of, and that is simply effective with us.
Learn our full Majority MP3 participant evaluation
Meet the staff
Everybody on the TechRadar staff has years of expertise testing the newest tech. However our audio tech staff are notably all for the very best headphones, finest audio system and finest MP3 gamers. With a long time of mixed expertise, our audio consultants know precisely what to search for from the very best MP3 gamers. They’ve put each system by way of rigorous testing and, importantly, know an amazing deal concerning the audio tech area so as to add a lot wanted context – which is crucial once we’re telling you why to purchase one product over one other.
Matt Bolton
Matt Bolton is the Managing Editor for Leisure at TechRadar. This implies he oversees the platform’s content material on films, TV exhibits, televisions, soundbars, headphones, and audio system. Matt has greater than ten years of expertise in tech journalism and joined TechRadar after holding the place of editor at T3 journal. His writing and critiques have been featured in varied publications, equivalent to MacLife, PC Gamer, Digital Digicam World, Edge, PC Plus, and MacFormat, amongst others.
Becky Scarrott
Becky Scarrott is the Audio Editor at TechRadar and leads the platform’s protection of every thing to do with audio and hi-fi. Becky joined the TechRadar staff as a Senior Workers Author in 2022. Earlier than this, she spent greater than three years at What Hello-Fi?, the place she examined the newest audio know-how, from budget-friendly earbuds to premium sound methods. Becky additionally holds an MA in journalism.
Simon Lucas
Simon Lucas has spent virtually 20 years writing about know-how as a contract journalist, with a specific concentrate on audio and video gear for the house. Simon was additionally the editor of What Hello-Fi? journal and whathifi.com. His writing and tech critiques have additionally appeared in publications equivalent to Wired, Metro, the Guardian, HiFi+, GQ, and others.
Tom Bedford was the Deputy Telephones Editor at TechRadar till late 2022, having labored his means up from Workers Author. He now works for the leisure website What To Watch. He has specialised in telephones and tablets through the years, however has additionally reviewed audio tech extensively, together with headphones and MP3 gamers.
Continuously Requested Questions
Pairing top-of-the-line MP3 gamers with the very best wired headphones creates the last word transportable music expertise, which is ideal for street journeys or high-fidelity listening on-the-move. However how do you select the suitable one for you?
With the market catering more and more to audiophiles, manufacturers are repeatedly innovating with new units. Improved sound high quality, hi-res audio help, and highly effective built-in DACs are making these gamers higher than ever. Plus, model meets substance. Whether or not you favor Astell & Kern’s daring and delightful designs, Sony’s easy aptitude, or FiiO’s minimal however practical units, you’ll discover one thing that fits your style in our information above.
What’s DSD audio – and is it good?
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) is Sony’s proprietary high-resolution audio format, designed to supply a definite various to the extra frequent PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) system utilized in codecs like WAV, FLAC, ALAC, and AIFF.
Co-created by Sony and Philips within the Nineteen Nineties, DSD was initially developed as an archival format. In contrast to PCM, which makes use of multi-bit recordings (like 16-bit for CD high quality), DSD employs a 1-bit Sigma Delta Modulated (SDM) system. DSD’s sampling price is 2.8224 MHz. That is 64 occasions that of 44.1 kHz, aka CD audio sampling price, however with 1-bit samples as a substitute of 16-bit. You may learn our hi-res file format explainer for extra.
DSD can seize audio with nice element and the ensuing sound is clean and extra pure. Many audiophiles take into account DSD to be higher than PCM – however that is determined by private desire. Qobuz lately started providing DSD downloads to its platform, which is nice information for fledgling audiophiles.
Why do folks nonetheless use MP3 gamers?
There are a number of the explanation why you might need to use a devoted digital audio participant. The largest one is sound high quality: many DAPs let you hearken to higher-quality tracks than what you possibly can stream out of your telephone, particularly since most smartphones lack headphone jacks.
Severe music followers admire that Bluetooth audio, whereas bettering, nonetheless can’t ship full hi-res high quality with out wired headphones. Even high-end wi-fi headphones, just like the AirPods Max, can’t deal with Apple Music’s Lossless codecs wirelessly.
Another excuse is music curation. Not all music you need to hear is accessible on the very best music streaming providers. What’s extra, the tracks which can be out there at this time may be gone tomorrow (though this appears to be occurring much less and fewer). With an MP3 participant, you possibly can sync and personal your music, making certain you all the time have entry with out a month-to-month subscription or advertisements.
MP3 gamers have been additionally designed particularly for music playback, which supplies them an edge over smartphones by way of audio efficiency, battery life, and storage. Plus, they don’t require a cellular or Wi-Fi connection, so you possibly can take your music wherever, even offline.
Is an MP3 participant price shopping for?
Whether or not an MP3 participant is price shopping for is determined by your wants. When you’re attempting to flee fixed notifications and distractions out of your telephone, an MP3 participant may help you focus purely on music.
Some folks additionally desire utilizing MP3 gamers for exercises to keep away from carrying their telephone or risking harm on the health club.
Moreover, in case your telephone lacks area for high-resolution music, a devoted participant is a superb answer. Whereas not everybody will discover or care concerning the improved audio high quality, for some, an MP3 participant is a game-changer.
Is MP3 high quality nearly as good as CD?
The quick reply is not any. MP3 is a “lossy” format, that means some audio information is eliminated to scale back file dimension, usually frequencies much less noticeable to human ears.
CDs, by comparability, retailer music at a better decision of 1,411 kbps, whereas the very best MP3s max out at 320 kbps. Though MP3s goal to take away much less essential sounds, you might discover an absence of deep bass and a “splashy” excessive finish. Whereas MP3s supply comfort, lossless and hi-res codecs present superior sound high quality.
Are hi-res audio gamers price it?
Hello-res audio gamers are undoubtedly price it if sound high quality is your prime precedence. These units help high-resolution audio recordsdata, delivering extra element, depth, and richness in comparison with commonplace MP3s. Hello-res codecs, usually lossless, protect the total high quality of the unique recording, leading to clearer sound, a wider soundstage, and deeper bass.
Nevertheless, whether or not a hi-res participant is price it is determined by your setup. When you’re utilizing funds headphones or streaming compressed music from providers like Spotify, you won’t discover a lot of a distinction. However with high-end audio gear, the development in sound high quality might be important.
What is the highest high quality strategy to hearken to music?
The best high quality strategy to hearken to music entails just a few key issues. You’ll want hi-res audio recordsdata (you possibly can learn our hi-res explainer and audio file-format explainer for extra about what this implies), a high-quality audio participant, and high-end headphones or audio system.
In case you have entry to lossless audio codecs, like FLAC or ALAC, this will protect the unique recording’s element. Then, you will want to make use of a high-res audio participant or digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to make sure the music is processed with the precision it deserves.
And bear in mind, output issues. You need to put money into high-quality, over-ear headphones or audiophile-grade audio system. Wired connections are usually most popular proper now over wi-fi as a result of that means you possibly can keep away from any lack of high quality as a result of compression. Nevertheless, check out our LE Audio explainer to learn how advances in Bluetooth can enhance audio high quality. In addition to our Snapdragon Sound explainer for extra on how this know-how will quickly enhance your audio {hardware}.
When you think about all of those components, the result’s a wealthy, immersive listening expertise that’s able to translating each element of your favourite music.
What music gamers do audiophiles use?
Audiophiles are inclined to go for high-resolution audio gamers and digital-to-analog converters (DACs), or units that mix each, to make sure they get the very best sound high quality.
Manufacturers like Astell&Kern and FiiO are common for his or her distinctive construct high quality, sound efficiency, and superior options. These gamers help a variety of audio codecs, together with lossless and high-resolution sorts, and infrequently supply customizable sound settings. This flexibility permits audiophiles to fine-tune their listening expertise to match their private preferences, making certain they get essentially the most out of their music.
Can I hearken to hi-res music gamers wirelessly?
Sure, you possibly can hearken to hi-res audio gamers wirelessly, however keep in mind that Bluetooth often compresses audio. Because of this newer codecs, like LDAC and aptX HD, will typically enhance wi-fi sound high quality, so for the very best expertise, you will want a hi-res audio participant and Bluetooth headphones that help these codecs.
That mentioned, some audiophiles argue that even the very best wi-fi setups can’t absolutely match the sound high quality of a wired connection, particularly when coping with high-resolution recordsdata.
How we check the very best MP3 gamers
Hello-res file help: we check dozens of hi-res transportable music gamers yearly at TechRadar, and which means we all know precisely which options, specs, file help and wi-fi audio codecs to search for. It is essential for us to match the efficiency of those gamers towards the claims made by their producers, which is why we take the time to ensure the stamina, sturdiness, connectivity and sound high quality claims are legit.
Comparative testing towards like-for-like class-leaders: we ensure that to check every product towards its chief rivals too, so you possibly can make sure that if we are saying so, the product is the very best guess for the cash. We reside with these gamers for weeks and we run them in religiously in order that the parts have ‘bedded in’ earlier than we begin our checks, and we do not end testing till we’re sure of the sound high quality.
A number of headphones; myriad musical genres: on this, we check the audio efficiency utilizing a spread of musical genres and with each wired and wi-fi headphones – and streamed and downloaded music from varied sources, to make sure that these merchandise can deal with every thing from thumping dance tracks to softly-spoken podcasts in no matter format we throw at them.
Solely essentially the most skilled audio reviewers: after extra collective years on this sport than we would care to expose, we’re actually assured that our star-rated critiques are the very best indication of the standard. Each reviewer is extremely educated about audio tech and most of us have a specialism, giving us years of business insights and real-world expertise of different units that add a wealthy layer of context to each evaluation. There are not any gross sales groups concerned in our verdicts and we’re not getting paid bonuses at hand out additional stars, which supplies us full impartiality. It additionally means if we do not prefer it for sound, design, usability and options, we merely will not advocate it right here.
The most recent updates to this finest MP3 gamers information
December 13, 2024
Refreshed the introduction. Added particulars of the Activo Q1 wired IEMs into our Activo P1 entry as they need to pair effectively collectively. Up to date copy to ensure every thing on this information is bang updated.
November 15, 2024
Up to date the introduction. Added a ‘Black Friday’ part to share information of Black Friday offers we have noticed on the very best MP3 gamers. Included extra pictures for every shopping for information entry, so readers can get a greater take a look at our professional suggestions. Added a ‘meet the staff’ part in order that readers can discover out extra concerning the expertise and expertise of our professional audio staff.
October 16, 2024
Rewrote the introduction. Up to date our FAQ part and added a brand new entry ‘what’s DSD audio?’ to assist readers perceive this sort of audio file sort.
September 18, 2024
Rewrote the introduction to make it extra succinct and present. Added ‘purchase it if/do not buy it if’ recommendation to every MP3 participant listed in our information to make it extra helpful for patrons. Rewrote the FAQs part to make info extra present and related.
August 21, 2024
Rewrote our FAQ part to mirror merchandise we now advocate; itemised our ‘How we check’ part to raised clarify our evaluation testing course of.
July 23, 2024
Added the Activo P1 as our ‘finest low cost A&Okay purchase’ and the FiiO M23 as our ‘finest general’ choose. Switched the Fiio M11 to ‘finest inexpensive FiiO’. Added the Majority MP3 participant as ‘finest ultra-cheap’ choose.
June 24, 2024
Added the Astell & Kern SP3000T as our ‘finest money-no-object’ choose. Switched the Astell & Kern SR25 MKII for our ‘finest inexpensive A&Okay purchase’ and the Astell & Kern SP3000 as our ‘finest for design’.
Might 29, 2024
Added this replace log! Up to date the copy to mirror present prime picks and why. Added our audio file sorts explainer to assist listeners higher perceive their music.
April 2, 2024
Eliminated the Onkyo DP-X1A from this checklist as the very best mid-range digital audio participant as a result of it not being out there. There’s additionally no inventory at present out there within the UK for the A&norma SR25 MKII. This might be all the way down to it being succeeded by the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 in Might 2023.
January 30, 2024
Added the Astell & Kern A&norma SR35 and the Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000. Re-ordered to mirror the newer merchandise and up to date copy all through. The SR25 MkII and SP2000T stay on this checklist as a result of though older, they’re nonetheless within the present lineup at A&Okay they usually could effectively obtain sure reductions in upcoming gross sales occasions.
December 6, 2023
We nonetheless have not but reviewed Astell & Kern’s SP3000 however with a brand new restricted version gold casing being launched, which will very effectively quickly change. For now, although, our checklist has remained unchanged.
September 25, 2023
Added new navigation options to make it simpler to seek out explicit fashions. Up to date the checklist primarily based on our newest critiques, and eliminated fashions not that can be purchased.
