1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490
491
492
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
|
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en-us">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge">
<style type=text/css>body{font-family:monospace;}</style>
<title>Portable Audio: Phone, Wireless DAC, or DAP | micro.pinapelz.moe</title>
<meta name="author" content="map[avatar:https://files.catbox.moe/5r1pue.jpg banner:https://files.pinapelz.com/pso2ngs-2232-collab.png bio:yo! and he's more than a cover he's a quilt<br/>
General arcade rhythm game enjoyer (SDVX, IIDX, CHUNITHM)<br/>
Mostly play MMOs (FFXIV, OSRS), JRPGs, and VNs (anything with a good story)<br/>
I Watch only slice of life (and Bandori)<br/>
Arch Linux + Hyprland user (btw)<br/>
Hi from the <a href="https://indieweb.org/">indieweb</a>, if you are seeing me bridged elsewhere! email:yukais@pinapelz.com name:Pinapelz]">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="/css/style.css">
<link rel="me" href="https://github.com/pinapelz" />
<link rel="me" href="mailto:yukais@pinapelz.com" />
<link rel="me" href="https://sakurajima.social/@pinapelz" />
<link rel="me" href="https://bsky.app/profile/pinapelz.moe" /><link rel="pgpkey" href="https://pinapelz.com/Yukai_Shan.asc">
<link
rel="authorization_endpoint"
href="https://indieauth.com/auth"
/>
<link
rel="token_endpoint"
href="https://tokens.indieauth.com/token"
/>
<link rel="webmention" href="https://webmention.io/micro.pinapelz.moe/webmention" />
</head>
<body>
<header>
<div style="display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;justify-content:space-between">
<div style="align-self:flex-start;">
==============<br>
== <a href="https://micro.pinapelz.moe/">Pinapelz</a> ==<br>
==============
</div>
<div style="align-self:center;">check it out. I'm in the house like carpet</div>
</div>
<nav style="margin: 1rem auto;">
<a href="/posts/"><b>Posts</b></a>.
<a href="/categories/"><b>Categories</b></a>.
<a href="/tags/"><b>Tags</b></a>.
</nav>
</header>
<main>
<article class="h-entry">
<a class="u-bridgy-fed" href="https://fed.brid.gy/" hidden="from-humans"></a>
<h1 class="p-name">Portable Audio: Phone, Wireless DAC, or DAP</h1>
<div hidden><div class="h-card p-author bio-card" style="text-align:center;">
<div class="banner" style="margin-bottom: 1rem; position: relative;">
<img class="u-featured" src="https://files.pinapelz.com/pso2ngs-2232-collab.png" alt="Banner" style="width: 100%; max-width: 400px; height: auto; border-radius: 8px; opacity: 0.6;">
<img class="u-photo avatar" src="https://files.catbox.moe/5r1pue.jpg" alt="Pinapelz's avatar" style="position: absolute; top: 50%; left: 50%; transform: translate(-50%, -50%);">
</div>
<div class="bio">
<p class="p-note">yo! and he's more than a cover he's a quilt<br/>
General arcade rhythm game enjoyer (SDVX, IIDX, CHUNITHM)<br/>
Mostly play MMOs (FFXIV, OSRS), JRPGs, and VNs (anything with a good story)<br/>
I Watch only slice of life (and Bandori)<br/>
Arch Linux + Hyprland user (btw)<br/>
Hi from the <a href="https://indieweb.org/">indieweb</a>, if you are seeing me bridged elsewhere!</p>
</div>
<p class="bio-name"><a href="https://micro.pinapelz.moe/" rel="me" class="p-nickname p-name u-url">Pinapelz</a></p>
</div>
<hr/>
</div>
<div><b>
<time class="dt-published" datetime="2026-05-03T03:16:09-07:00">
Sunday, May 3, 2026
</time>
- <a href="https://micro.pinapelz.moe/posts/2026-04-29-13-dac-vs-wireless-dap/" class="u-url u-uid" >Permalink</a>
</b></div>
<div class="article-meta"><span class="categories">
Categories:
<a href="/categories/default">default</a>
</span>--<span class="tags">
Tags:
#<a href="/tags/default" class="p-category">default</a>
</span></div><div class="e-content">
<p>Supposedly, there’s been a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/APNews/videos/secondhand-sales-of-apple-ipods-are-surging-four-years-after-it-was-killed-off-w/1278247987103509/">resurgence in the popularity of the iPod</a> in the recent months for all sorts of reasons. While I’m well aware of “MP3 Players”, such as the original iPod and the old Sony Walkman, these are not devices I grew up using. As a “new-gen” audiophile myself, getting a DAP (Dedicated Audio Player, its the new term for these sort of devices as they can play much more than just MP3s) was certainly an interesting idea. However, modern day audiophiles now have an arsenal of methods to enjoy music, even when it comes to portable playback.</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>PREFACE</strong></p>
<p>I’ll assume that you already have some basic audiophile knowledge, and that you have your own reasons for maintaining an audio library independent of streaming services.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I’ve reduced it down to 3 main categories: 1. Using your phone with a dongle DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), 2. Wireless DAC (via Bluetooth), 3. Dedicated DAP. Now that I own one of each, I’d like to share my opinions on each one.</p>
<h1 id="phone-with-dongle-dac">Phone with Dongle DAC</h1>
<p>This is probably something most people are familiar with so I won’t go into too much detail.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre tabindex="0" style="color:#f8f8f2;background-color:#272822;-moz-tab-size:4;-o-tab-size:4;tab-size:4;-webkit-text-size-adjust:none;"><code class="language-diff" data-lang="diff"><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ easy access to streaming services
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ excellent user interface (software)
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ excellent audio quality so long as you don't buy a SUPER cheap dongle
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- distractions whether from notifications or having to fiddle with app
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- drains your battery
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- dongles/cables are annoying when tethered to your phone
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- if you maintain your own music library, it will take up additional storage/use data (especially for FLACs)
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- minimal physical button media controls
</span></span></span></code></pre></div><h1 id="wireless-dac">Wireless DAC</h1>
<p>A wireless DAC is exactly what it sounds like. Rather than a traditional dongle DAC that plugs into your phone, a wireless DAC connects to your phone over Bluetooth. Your headphones/IEMs then plug into the DAC itself which is what makes it a wireless experience.</p>
<p>This effectively allows you to use any IEM or Headphone as a wireless one, and provides a largely tangle free experience since you’re free to leave the DAC in your pocket while you take your phone out to do things.</p>
<p>For reference I have the FiiO BTR7, so most of the points below will be focused on that.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre tabindex="0" style="color:#f8f8f2;background-color:#272822;-moz-tab-size:4;-o-tab-size:4;tab-size:4;-webkit-text-size-adjust:none;"><code class="language-diff" data-lang="diff"><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ connects to phone, so easy streaming, great UI
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ largely tangle-free, you can take your phone in and out of your pockets without the dongle getting in the way
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ can also be used as a wired DAC with PC or phone
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ EQ customization, even if your phone doesn't support it software-wise
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ support for high bit-rate coding technologies (such as Sony's LDAC which supports up to 990kbps) (1)
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ drives high-impedance headphones
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- still drains your battery a lot
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- have to charge it, or else its no better than a dongle DAC
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- better physical button media controls, but for most DACs its minimal
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- can get pricey (relatively to what you are getting)
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- you still need to use data/storage whether you are streaming or listening to files
</span></span></span></code></pre></div><p><code>(1) If you're on iOS only AAC is supported, thanks Apple (250-260kbps)</code></p>
<p>This option alone has been excellent for using my IEMs on the go just for the sake of not having to fiddle with a dongle. Usually the battery life on these things are fantastic, and they last a really long time. Most streaming services also likely won’t exceed 990kbps regardless, so its not a huge compromise either.</p>
<p>The biggest caveat here is that it suffers from a lot of the same issues with battery and data/storage usage that listening from a smartphone has.</p>
<h1 id="dedicated-audio-player">Dedicated Audio Player</h1>
<p>There is a wide variety of DAPs out there. Some of them even run Android which almost makes them a phone. I’ll focus more on a budget option, that being the Snowsky Echo Mini.</p>
<div class="highlight"><pre tabindex="0" style="color:#f8f8f2;background-color:#272822;-moz-tab-size:4;-o-tab-size:4;tab-size:4;-webkit-text-size-adjust:none;"><code class="language-diff" data-lang="diff"><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ distraction free listening, hassle free in terms of tangling
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ physical buttons to control media + volume
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ stores your music, doesn't take up storage
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ EQ customization
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#a6e22e">+ looks cool :)
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- need to charge it or else its a brick
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- can get pricey as well, but lots of budget friendly options
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- you'll probably have to buy a micro-sd or equiv. to expand the storage on it
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- need to manually add music to it (duh...)
</span></span></span><span style="display:flex;"><span><span style="color:#f92672">- doesn't do streaming (2)
</span></span></span></code></pre></div><p><code>(2) Some DAPs also have the option to do music streaming, although in my opinion that largely defeats the whole purpose since it would probably be more worth it to pick up a cheap phone just for that</code></p>
<p>Another benefit of the Echo Mini is that it can also be used as a dongle DAC if necessary. The main caveat here is that you need to be good about maintaing/tagging your audio library, and of course you don’t get any audio from your phone (although that’s a plus in terms of cutting out distractions for me, if I need to take a call I’ll just use the built-in speaker as is)</p>
<h1 id="conclusion">Conclusion</h1>
<p>I find myself using my DAP the most, since it doesn’t drain my phone’s battery and has been helpful in training my patience in terms of not doomscrolling (since I literately will not be able to hear the audio). Although I do usually bring the wireless DAP along too on most days in case I want to watch a video or something. Both devices are tiny so its no big deal.</p>
</div>
<section id="comments" class="webmentions">
<h2 class="wm-title">Webmentions</h2>
<div id="mentions" class="wm-list">Loading…</div>
</section>
<style>
.webmentions {
margin-top: 2.5rem;
padding-top: 1rem;
border-top: 2px dashed var(--hrcolor);
}
.webmentions .wm-title {
color: var(--titlecolor);
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.wm-list {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 1.5rem;
}
.wm-reactions {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}
.wm-reaction-group {
margin-bottom: 1rem;
}
.wm-reaction-title {
font-size: 1.1rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: var(--titlecolor);
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}
.wm-avatar-grid {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
gap: 4px;
align-items: center;
}
.wm-avatar {
position: relative;
display: inline-block;
}
.wm-avatar img {
width: 40px;
height: 40px;
border-radius: 50%;
border: 2px solid var(--hrcolor);
transition: transform 0.2s ease, box-shadow 0.2s ease;
}
.wm-avatar:hover img {
transform: scale(1.1);
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(255, 140, 200, 0.4);
}
.wm-avatar-tooltip {
position: absolute;
bottom: 120%;
left: 50%;
transform: translateX(-50%);
background: var(--blockquotecolor);
color: var(--titlecolor);
padding: 4px 8px;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 0.8rem;
white-space: nowrap;
opacity: 0;
pointer-events: none;
transition: opacity 0.2s ease;
z-index: 10;
border: 1px solid var(--hrcolor);
}
.wm-avatar:hover .wm-avatar-tooltip {
opacity: 1;
}
.wm-comments-header {
font-size: 1.1rem;
font-weight: 600;
color: var(--titlecolor);
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
margin-top: 1rem;
text-transform: uppercase;
letter-spacing: 0.5px;
}
.wm-regular {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
gap: 0.75rem;
}
.wm {
display: flex;
gap: 0.6rem;
padding: 0.6rem 0.75rem;
border-radius: 10px;
background: var(--alertbgcolor);
border: 1px solid var(--hrcolor);
box-shadow: 0 0 6px rgba(255, 180, 220, 0.22);
}
.wm-author img {
width: 32px;
height: 32px;
border-radius: 50%;
box-shadow: 0 0 4px rgba(255, 140, 200, 0.35);
}
.wm-body {
flex: 1;
font-size: 0.9rem;
}
.wm-author-name a {
font-weight: 600;
color: var(--linkcolor);
}
.wm-type {
font-size: 0.8rem;
margin-top: 2px;
color: var(--titlecolor);
}
.wm-content {
margin-top: 4px;
padding: 6px 8px;
font-size: 0.9rem;
background: var(--blockquotecolor);
border-left: 3px solid var(--hrcolor);
border-radius: 6px;
}
.wm-meta {
margin-top: 3px;
font-size: 0.75rem;
opacity: 0.7;
}
.wm-meta a {
color: var(--linkcolor);
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.wm-avatar img {
width: 32px;
height: 32px;
}
.wm-avatar-grid {
gap: 3px;
}
.wm-reaction-title {
font-size: 1rem;
}
.wm-comments-header {
font-size: 1rem;
}
}
</style>
<script>
const PAGE_URL = "https:\/\/micro.pinapelz.moe\/posts\/2026-04-29-13-dac-vs-wireless-dap\/";
async function loadMentions() {
const url =
"https://webmention.io/api/mentions.jf2?domain=micro.pinapelz.moe&token=hdjQAqlZwgJmSuPSiU8h8w";
const res = await fetch(url);
const data = await res.json();
const container = document.getElementById("mentions");
container.innerHTML = "";
const mentions = data.children.filter(m => {
const t = m["wm-target"];
const inReply = m["in-reply-to"];
const likeOf = m["like-of"];
const repostOf = m["repost-of"];
const mentionOf = m["mention-of"];
return (
t === PAGE_URL ||
inReply === PAGE_URL ||
likeOf === PAGE_URL ||
repostOf === PAGE_URL ||
mentionOf === PAGE_URL
);
});
if (!mentions.length) {
container.innerHTML = "<p>No webmentions yet.</p>";
return;
}
const likes = mentions.filter(m => m["wm-property"] === "like-of");
const reposts = mentions.filter(m => m["wm-property"] === "repost-of");
const replies = mentions.filter(m => m["wm-property"] === "in-reply-to");
const regularMentions = mentions.filter(m =>
!["like-of", "repost-of", "in-reply-to"].includes(m["wm-property"])
);
const reactionsDiv = document.createElement("div");
reactionsDiv.className = "wm-reactions";
if (reposts.length > 0) {
const repostGroup = document.createElement("div");
repostGroup.className = "wm-reaction-group";
const repostTitle = document.createElement("div");
repostTitle.className = "wm-reaction-title";
repostTitle.textContent = `${reposts.length} Repost${reposts.length !== 1 ? 's' : ''}`;
const repostGrid = document.createElement("div");
repostGrid.className = "wm-avatar-grid";
reposts.forEach(mention => {
const author = mention.author || {};
const avatarDiv = document.createElement("div");
avatarDiv.className = "wm-avatar";
avatarDiv.innerHTML = `
<a href="${author.url || "#"}" target="_blank">
<img src="${author.photo || ""}" alt="${author.name || 'Unknown'}" />
</a>
<div class="wm-avatar-tooltip">${author.name || 'Unknown'}</div>
`;
repostGrid.appendChild(avatarDiv);
});
repostGroup.appendChild(repostTitle);
repostGroup.appendChild(repostGrid);
reactionsDiv.appendChild(repostGroup);
}
if (likes.length > 0) {
const likeGroup = document.createElement("div");
likeGroup.className = "wm-reaction-group";
const likeTitle = document.createElement("div");
likeTitle.className = "wm-reaction-title";
likeTitle.textContent = `${likes.length} Like${likes.length !== 1 ? 's' : ''}`;
const likeGrid = document.createElement("div");
likeGrid.className = "wm-avatar-grid";
likes.forEach(mention => {
const author = mention.author || {};
const avatarDiv = document.createElement("div");
avatarDiv.className = "wm-avatar";
avatarDiv.innerHTML = `
<a href="${author.url || "#"}" target="_blank">
<img src="${author.photo || ""}" alt="${author.name || 'Unknown'}" />
</a>
<div class="wm-avatar-tooltip">${author.name || 'Unknown'}</div>
`;
likeGrid.appendChild(avatarDiv);
});
likeGroup.appendChild(likeTitle);
likeGroup.appendChild(likeGrid);
reactionsDiv.appendChild(likeGroup);
}
if (reactionsDiv.children.length > 0) {
container.appendChild(reactionsDiv);
}
const regularMentionsToShow = [...replies, ...regularMentions];
if (regularMentionsToShow.length > 0) {
const commentsHeader = document.createElement("div");
commentsHeader.className = "wm-comments-header";
commentsHeader.textContent = "Comments";
container.appendChild(commentsHeader);
const regularDiv = document.createElement("div");
regularDiv.className = "wm-regular";
regularMentionsToShow.forEach(m => {
const div = document.createElement("div");
div.className = "wm";
const author = m.author || {};
const content = m.content || {};
const type =
m["wm-property"] === "in-reply-to" ? "replied 💬" :
"mentioned this";
div.innerHTML = `
<div class="wm-author">
<img src="${author.photo || ""}" alt="${author.name || 'Unknown'}">
</div>
<div class="wm-body">
<div class="wm-author-name">
<a href="${author.url || "#"}" target="_blank">
${author.name || "Unknown"}
</a>
</div>
<div class="wm-type">${type}</div>
${content.text ? `<div class="wm-content">${content.text}</div>` : ""}
<div class="wm-meta">
<a href="${m.url}" target="_blank">source</a> •
${m["wm-received"]
? new Date(m["wm-received"]).toLocaleString()
: ""}
</div>
</div>
`;
regularDiv.appendChild(div);
});
container.appendChild(regularDiv);
}
if (container.children.length === 0) {
container.innerHTML = "<p>No webmentions yet.</p>";
}
}
loadMentions();
</script>
</article>
</main>
<hr />
<footer>
<p>
<a href="https://github.com/pinapelz"><b>Github</b></a>.
<a href="https://pinapelz.moe"><b>pinapelz.moe</b></a>.
</p>
<p style="text-align: center" class="copyright">
© <a href="https://micro.pinapelz.moe/"><b>micro.pinapelz.moe</b></a>.
</p>
</footer>
</body>
</html>
|
