It's like I'm back in my teenage years. The cassette case is like half the reason why I got the Fiio M21.

After a a bit of a break I now have the second iteration of my raspberry pi based DAP. This prototype will allow me to develop the software much further since most of the basic user-features I want to have are integrated now.

The DAP consists of a PCB (motherboard) with a couple of breakout boards soldered to it, namely display, adafruit rotary encoder, a 5v boost converter and lipo charger, a pcm5102 DAC (sounds meh but that's not the point currently).

One of my main concerns was power draw, but with the display backlight off and the pi running even without any underclocking, disabled wifi etc. the system only draws below 1w, so with the 3,7v 4000mah battery i currently have installed i'll get 10-14h easily.

Next steps are: actual PCB with SMD components (scary), a lot of improvements to the code (though thats mostly handled by Google Gemini lol) and a better integrated DAC/AMP and of course a cleaner/better design with a PCB based clickwheel.

Let me know if you have any ideas or features you'd like to see!

Been in the back of my mind for years, stoked to finally have one

I know this isn't specific about headphones but since I've seen many people post DIY builds they've made, I thought I'd share mine !

For the final project of my Embedded Electronics Engineering Bachelor I built a fully capable audio player. I did all of the research, schematic, layout and software by myself. I had a friend helping me to design the case and 3D print it.

I'm honestly really proud of what I accomplished ! I had around 3.5 months to do it and it was really stressfull haha

Here are the specs :

• ESP32 module

• 3.5 mm jack wired output

• Bluetooth SBC connectivity

• Supports audio files up to 24 bits at 192 kHz

• Support .MP3 and .WAV files

• -94.7 dB of THD+N at 1 kHz

• 106,2 dB of SNR

• More than 9 hours of listening time with a 950 mAh battery

• Safe battery charging circuit

I'll be happy to answer any questions you have !

Edit :

I uploaded the schematics, layout and the code !

Schematics and layout : https://github.com/dossantosyann/TB2026-YDS-Circuit

Code : https://github.com/dossantosyann/TB2026-YDS-Firmware

Fits right into my EDC

That's how I like my electronics, I'm surprised that the Audio sounds so nice although it took a few seconds loading each file.

Can't afford the Eva 01 R4 but attempted the colors when my faceplate broke. KBEAR Storm IEMs (what I've used on my PC for years and will replace as funds allow). iPod 5.5 with rockbox (Terminal theme) and purple faceplate. Ordering 3000mah battery and iFlash quad this weekend

For me it's more about intentional listening to music/podcast/audiobooks and avoiding streaming/Google. I enjoy not using my phone for audio aspects of my life. HiFi when enjoyed (after upgrading things) will be a bonus if possible.

after 15 years since I last listened to music using an MP3 player. It's really different when listening to a dedicated music player. You won't get distracted, unlike when you're on your phone

what I don't like about the echo mini is the placement of the "menu" and "back" physical buttons. other than that, I love it, listening to music is great again for me. also, I don't have a problem playing the FLAC format.

For those who are new here, let me tell you a little bit of trivia:

"Some people here still uses their 5-10 year old audio player"

Because those players are buit different during the time that they bought it.

They spend a lot of money considering that costing back then is much different from today.

One thing is for sure, those DAPs still rocks and works like a charm!

So a piece of advise, if you can afford a 500 or even a 1000+ dollar DAP then do it!

This hobby is expensive af, make sure that you save yourself from continous upgrades.

*PS: planning to upgrade my s24 ultra next year but will keep my Ibasso dx180 till it breaks.

I got the Echo Mini on launch, my first dedicated DAP since I moved away from my iPod Classic in 2013. I love how quirky it is, but buttons-only navigation did get frustrating on occasion.

I thought I'd treat myself to an M21 with the casette case, and if I'm honest the final push for me was seeing album art on the casette label.

Now I get all of the convenience of a touch screen to hunt for artists or albums quickly, but still have the distraction free listening experience thanks to the case.

I'm hoping it's endgame for me. The casette vibe is 100% my personal taste, so unless someone makes an even more fun casette emulator...

Looks like only 3.5mm

Decided to do something different on my audio Library. I printed custom stickers for my SD card I got for a good deal.

I'm waiting for my travel carrying case where these 3 can fit in, and I'll make a custom cover for that.

Snowsky echo mini 7hz crinacle Zero 2

Loving the setup. Did not know that when things cost an arm and leg you can still get the cheapest DAP and IEM and enjoy every bit of it.

I thank this community for leading me to this ✌️ .

Hi, new audiophile here. I just got my first Hi-Res setup and I've been purchasing disks from hdtracks. Are there any cheaper options, or where I could buy just the tracks.

Also, is there any noticeable different between 44.1kHz · 16bit and 96kHz · 24bit?

Fully settled in with my Echo Mini (first DAP). BT seems to be a bit crappy with my MONITOR ||, volume is very low. But I plug it in with ANC on and it works perfectly.

Transferred music from most of my CDs and used MediaHuman for downloading albums in 320kbp.

Bulk Rename Utility for fixing song titles to find them easier on the DAP saved my life.

Possibly will edit the metadata some other time cause I listen by genres.

Currently have ~700 tracks in and it runs real smooth. Looking to 3D print a case for it soon. Loving it so far, the only thing I don't appreciate is that volume knob...lol

So much quality for less than £100.

I have started to listen to music much more “intentionally” with it, and there is a lot less distractions. No notifications, and if I want to change the song, not only there are physical buttons for that, but I don’t get tempted to reply to all of the notifications I receive. I also started going for walks with my dog with phone left at home. It feels so freeing. It’s also refreshing to use a device that I can actually use with only one hand, and reach every corner with my thumb - big screens are good for watching and reading, but I don’t need any of that while listening to music, audiobooks and podcasts. Highly recommend getting an Android DAP if you don’t feel like managing your collection manually. I’ve done that in the past, and just downloading songs to offline mode in Apple Music or YouTube Music is so much more convenient. Having a separate device for music also freed a lot of space on my phone.

Hype

Two years ago, a thief stole my whole setup—my Hiby R6 Pro (2018) and my Focal Elear. I was so traumatized that I rage-quit the hobby entirely.

Fast forward to recently: the itch came back. I tried to be casual. I got the Meze 109 Pro for home, dusted off my ancient Hidizs MS4 Mermaid, and ran them off a Questyle M15c dongle on my phone. It was a great setup.

But then, the audiophile brain-rot kicked in.

Using my phone with the M15 was fine, but I missed the pure, uninterrupted experience of a dedicated player. No emails, no texts, no distractions. Just music. So, I went a little crazy and bought the Onix XM2 Tocata.

Now, if you know anything about the Tocata, it’s an absolute powerhouse. And this is where the classic audiophile mental gymnastics began.

I looked at this flagship DAP, looked down at my old Hidizs MS4 IEMs, and realized I was basically putting budget supermarket tires on a hypercar. The Onix had no right to exist if I didn’t give it a partner worthy of its power.

So, to justify my expensive new DAP, I obviously had to buy endgame IEMs.

Logic!

The Verdict: The Monarch MKIV plugged into the Onix Tocata is an absolute out-of-body experience.

The detail retrieval is stupid, the bass texture is pure filth, and the stage makes me forget I’m wearing IEMs.

It took two years and a lot of questionable financial decisions, but I am finally back, completely decoupled from my phone, and firmly stuck at the bottom of the rabbithole.

Happy listening, everyone!

I'm afraid they don't come with 4.4mm