DAP or DAC/AMP?

[Hiya!]

I have:

HyperX Cloud Core, Marshall Mode and KZ Z3S.

 

I want the best audio as possible but i don't know which one to choose.

Should i choose a DAP or DAC/AMP Combo.

 

I am stuck between the Fiio X1 Gen 2 or the Q1 Mark 1.

Which one is the best in terms of audio quality?

 

My Q1 battery is worn out so i need to buy a new one because Fiio doesn't sell the replacement.

Thank you.  

[Emanbaird]

a DAC/AMP is always good, but it really depends on how much you want to spend, would you be moving a lot with this solution or just using it stationary?

[Hiya!]

2 minutes ago, Emanbaird said:

a DAC/AMP is always good, but it really depends on how much you want to spend, would you be moving a lot with this solution or just using it stationary?

Mostly stationary i didn't listen to music in public because it would affect my awareness of my surrounding.

 

My max budget is $110 and the only option i could find is those two in here.

[Emanbaird]

The Q1 is probably better for what you would be doing, but i see much better reviews on the X1 but as far as i am aware they are the same thing, I'm also interested because the soundblaster E1 sounds worse than my headphone header and i have DT880's@80ohm

[Hiya!]

1 minute ago, Emanbaird said:

The Q1 is probably better for what you would be doing, but i see much better reviews on the X1 but as far as i am aware they are the same thing, I'm also interested because the soundblaster E1 sounds worse than my headphone header and i have DT880's@80ohm

Yep the X1 has firmware issues but i am sure they have been patched already..While i love my Q1 i want to experience a DAP since i never own one..welp aside from the good old MP4 player that is..

 

I think the Q1 has better AMP but i don't really need it.

[SolarNova]

I personaly use the FiiO X3K.

Primarily bought it for use as a portable player for work, but having sinse resigned from that particular job i now primarily use it as a DAC for my headphones on my PC.

Sound is night and day between it and my Asus Xonar D2X when using my headphones.

[Hiya!]

5 minutes ago, SolarNova said:

I personaly use the FiiO X3K.

Primarily bought it for use as a portable player for work, but having sinse resigned from that particular job i now primarily use it as a DAC for my headphones on my PC.

Sound is night and day between it and my Asus Xonar D2X when using my headphones.

Wait..you can use it as a DAC too? i thought it is a dap?

[SolarNova]

@Hiya!

 

It is a DAP .. but it can be run in DAC mode also.

You just plug it in via USB to your PC , enter the option on the DAP, set its mode to DAP, set ur Gain to H/L depending on your headphones, set volume to max (120) and then control volume via windows (i find it more convieniant this way). You have to install FiiO control centre software which it should do automaticaly, but yea it just acts as a DAC.