PORTABLE AUDIO for BEGINNERS w/ Spotify, Plexamp, Tidal & Qobuz

👉🏻 This episode is brought to you by EarMen:
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🎥 Camera: Olaf von Voss
🎬 Editor: John Darko
🕺🏻 Motion GFX: John Darko
💰 Ad segment: Jana Dagdagan
🛋 My listening room in 2022:
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🎵 Song IDs? Playlists of all music heard in this video - and other videos - can be found on PATREON: / johndarko
0:00 True Wireless IEMs
5:32 More Bluetooth + dongle DACs + wired IEMs
11:03 A transportable DAC + a DAP + more wired IEMs
16:35 Crazy expensive IEMs + another DAP
21:08 The most important part of this video
👉🏻 Music seen in this video...
David Bowie - Brilliant Adventure (1992 - 2001)
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Alessandro Cortini - Forse
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Eat Static - Implant (2021 expanded remaster)
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CJ Bolland - Electronic Highway
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Momus - Create 2: Re-create
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Gas - Der Lange Marsch
kompakt-gas.bandcamp.com/albu...
👉🏻 Hardware featured in this video…
Apple AirPods Pro
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Dekoni Bulletz
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Sony WF-1000MX4
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IKKO OH1
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iFi GOblu
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FiiO BTR5
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Campfire Audio Holocene
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AudioQuest Dragonfly Red
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AudioQuest DragonFly Cobalt
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Chord Mojo
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Campfire Audio Ara
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iBasso DX300
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Sony Xperia 1 III
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Astell&Kern SP2000
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🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3AldmO6
Astell&Kern OpenApp service
us.astellnkern.com/blogs/news...
Empire Ears Odin
empireears.com/products/odin
👉🏻 My ROON / PLEX server:
Intel NUC Kit NUC8i5BEH
🛒 (US) amzn.to/32pm41n
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Crucial DDR4 4GB RAM
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Samsung MZ-V7S500BW SSD 970 EVO Plus 500GB M.2 Internal NVMe SSD
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👉🏻 Also seen in this video…
QIUQIAN mushroom table lamp
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/3fADsmP
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Mathmos Astro lava lamp
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Reliable Corp UberLightFlex turntable light
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IsoAcoustics zaZen isolation platform
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3HZUtTG
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What are those metal cylinders on top of my gear?
🛒 (US) amzn.to/3F4Joys
🛒 (DE) amzn.to/3G3JBDG
🛒 (UK) amzn.to/3f1VYnD
#headphones #audiophile #portable
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/ johnhdarko

[@DarkoAudio]

UPDATE - PLEASE READ *before commenting*! 1) Got a question? Please ask it of the Darko.Audio KZbin community (and not me) as I'm off making the NEXT video 2) All comments here are moderated by a third party: instagram.com/p/CTWcokaszpW/ 3) Polite comments that advance the conversation are most welcome (but no URLs, please)

[@adenbryant1903]

The only way 🎉🎉

[@louispapaceit5612]

“portable audio for beginners” *pulls out 7000$ setup*

[@nunofernandes4501]

You can carry all that stuff in the Summer if you wear a fanny pack, which is quite fashionable in Germany along with wearing socks and sandals.

[@emreisiklar]

True but hitting a racist stereotype

[@PetrusEskelinen]

I use a fanny pack while jogging. It is great for dac+phone combo.

[@michaelcorcoran8768]

I bought a fanny pack for the first time ever when the pandemic started. Portable I just decided I'm going totally utilitarian and I don't even care what makes me look like a dork.

[@FATMAN162x]

They don’t make backpacks there?

[@sebastianschiefner1428]

@@emreisiklar how come you think wearing a bag is racist?

[@darenalmonte1631]

3 terabytes of music is crazy 💀

[@iamcrisyo]

Still, we have to remember assuming all of his music are lossless, for which usually they weight about 40MB to 50MB. 3TB of lossless music isn't really that much if you really think about it. However still a lot more than what the average music listener have.

[@mycommentdoesnotmatter1809]

Great Vid. The audiophile game is just insane. He presented gear worth thousands of bucks and still, in the end, he's not happy with the results. Meanwhile, I have a blon03 connected to my phone (no dac) and spotify and just enjoying music.

[@philippepeltier142]

Bankruptcy in the western world will allow some realignment...

[@saumenroy8710]

Rule 1 for an audiophile : Enjoy the music!

[@BorisPolozov]

Yes, that's the way!

[@ericg1658]

I am a broke Undergrad student who loves music and hates the distraction of modern phones. I have bought the most simple flip phone I can get my hands on to reduce screen time, but comprised my ability to listen to my beloved music on the go. However, whilst on this new audiophile-DAP KZbin rabbit hole I thought I may have found an answer: high-quality portable music without the smartphone distractions. I was so excited to learn about these interesting gadgets. This excitement has now turned into a sad surprise, as my eyes and mouth seem to widen every time the cost is shown on the screen. In addition, I have tried to find lossless music in my preferred genres and couldn't find any. My realisation is to be patient and wait until I am old enough to be able to splash out AU$1200 on something to play music on. Thank you for the video, I thought it was amazing. Just a sad day for me haha

[@raksh9]

Look for a second Fiio X3 II, X5 II or X3 III. Way less than $1200 and excellent audio quality with flac files.

[@SpoiledBadgerMilk]

When you actually need a DAP. 1. You have a large lossless library you want locally. 2. You have a pair of Cans or IEM'S that are demanding And you want them to perform at their peak. 3. Relates to 2. You don't want a dongle hanging off your phone. 4. You want to preserve the battery of your phone. 5. You want to have the system wide hi bit audio.

[@evank8459]

I'd been considering one bc I usually leave my phone out of arm's reach all day. Having no notifications/possibility for distractions seems quite nice. I've only got ~300GB of flac, and it'd also be nice to be able to just get $300 phones instead of paying through the nose for storage. I travel with no internet almost every week. And, CD quality would also be an excuse to buy good IEMs

[@i.Gnarly]

@@evank8459 buy a used lgv20/v30 + 256 gb sd card

[@brogan_live8537]

my portable audio solution is a 5th gen iPod

[@Pommy381125]

One thing I would say about the more expensive IEM/DAP combos is that I'd be worried sick about them being nicked/mugged etc. - I'd love to try them and have no issue with people wanting to own the high end items but for me the thought of small portable items being exposed while walking/public transport is a concern. Recently I travelled to Manchester on the train and my really lovely Dragonfly Red went missing from my table seat while I was packing my bag and my back was turned - now it either fell on the floor and I didn't see it (I always check my area before leaving ) or it was taken - in either case it was lost and I was gutted and that was only £180:00 - cannot imagine how distraught i would be if I lost a pair of Empire Ears Odin...I think I will replace the DF Red with a Chord Mojo for the very reason it is less portable and therefore more conspicuous on my travels and less likely to get "misplaced" - if anyone has a Cobalt they want to give me though I won't say no! 😁🤣

[@luminousfractal420]

I dress all my fancy stuff up to look like crap. Much safer.

[@currykevuk]

I avoid travelling to Manchester. 😉

[@rainbowkittycat627]

One of the great things I find is now most iems actually look cheeper than something like airpods. Unless you’re purchasing like thousand dollar iems, I highly doubt your average theif would be able to tell the price of an item. I use the etymotic er2se, which cost 100$, but I’m pretty sure If I asked people what it’s worth, they would think $15-25, like $50 at most. To me, walking around with airpods and the like is so much more risky than walking with most mid level iems

[@jakemoore1973]

I think we need some shots of John in rainy Berlin at night. Darko Noir.

[@topg2820]

3 TB of Offline Music, goals TBH

[@the_jzapata]

I was thinking - a 1TB SD Card should do. Until he mentioned he has 3TB...

[@hcoberdalhoff]

It is rare to see a balanced opinion that is still somewhat realistic in the Audio space :) Keep it up!

[@GBennet]

The audiophile community is UNHINGED. Glad to know that no matter what audio setup I use, I always have an opportunity to upgrade.

[@thelastofthemonitos6994]

Audiophile is old vinyl. Anything else is 🤢

[@AlphaSteam2]

@@thelastofthemonitos6994 Old vinyl is as far as you can get to lossless quality lmao. How is that AudioPhile?

[@m.f.3347]

It's all diminishing returns, you only need to spend a little bit to get most of the way there.

[@Willogs78]

It’s crazy to think cd Walkmans are obsolete and were so eager to get cd quality audio on the go! Bring them back!

[@chrisevans1546]

Hey man. Thanks for doing this. Signed, Everyone

[@dk-du8sm]

"What we gain in breath, we lose in depth" wow, simple words to describe the true meaning of a trade-off.

[@jeromevincent8723]

Thanks for all. You're the best!

[@justicewhitney528]

Love how you covered every range of listening. I never new the “summit” of portable listening. I could see me using those $4,000 decks in my truck

[@DingoBongoo]

At the end of the day, all it boils down to is which set up makes computer love sound the best ❤

[@supergranular]

Even though I'm probably not a beginner anymore, I still watch every one of your beginner videos. They're so well made, and always have me thinking about my setups.

[@simonguilmain8834]

As always, very informative video and great production quality. Thank you!

[@adventuresofmar1681]

Man I just want to sit and experience music with Darko 🙌🏾

[@LASoundCrafter]

I’ve been using my iPhone exclusively with Apple Music, download lossless play list prior to going out, dragonfly’s cobalt with a variety of iem. The trick is to put your phone in your pocket upside-down to avoid the fold.

[@Mumbai-Toronto-NY]

This was fun to watch. Didn't realise I watched such a long video with no breaks. Your style is very captivating Darko.

[@Digiphex]

I can't put that much into IEM but I am always happy for someone who does. I enjoy seeing them enjoy audio.

[@VladVexler]

Magnificent overview.

[@coolpoete]

I cannot describe to you how super-duper, incredibly USEFUL this video is to me and the questions I had around the subject matter. You answered ALL of my questions that I've been having for a long time now and used and addressed some of the audio gear that I not only used but had questions on. Stuff like the LG phones. I do have a question though and I hope you see this comment. I also own the Pixel 6 Pro phone and in my experience I have had a terrible time with dongle dacs with it. There is a constant ticking sound that I experience when using it with a Fiio Ka3 dongle versus using it on any other device. I concluded that the Pixel 6 devices using their own chip doesn't translate to the DAC well versus a Qualcomm chip in other phones. Or, it could be just me. Either way, thank you so much for this WONDERFUL video. I am immediately subscribing to your channel!

[@jasonperry6046]

Thank you for another great video. I love coming back to your channel and binging all the videos I have missed. You do a great service to the community.

[@barlow2976]

Great videos. I have only just stepped into this world, previously I used twenty quid earbuds via bluetooth, but even to my ears it sounded crap. I've now got decent headphones and a DAC, and am blown away. One thing I've learned is that there is no going back, even one step. My old gear sounds so bad now I wonder how I ever used it.

[@mr.george7687]

I'm still in the Stone Age, I use a I Pod!

[@digidrum2003]

Yep....I have 4.....I have to admit though that I did buy a Sony mp3 player recently.

[@krishsuryano1396]

Me too. 6G + Grado SR80

[@sarahashun1180]

🤣😂 I’m using my phone with a headphone amp. But I do have 2 iPod classics. One of them is retro fitted and souped up. The portable hi res players I’ve heard sound disappointing and flat. My iPods sound superb. I just wish I could use it like a normal hardrive and drag and drop music on it without having to use iTunes.

[@dustywelchcraneman6614]

I'm in the stone age I have nothing. I work in poor phone service areas and want to be able to download tons of music link it to my machines stereo and jam without static and vehicle dealership adverts. Idk what's even out there today

[@TheMetaldudeX]

Good video. I bought some entry level stuff for my PC but realized I’m doing 99% of music listening on my phone. This is what I needed.

[@jafaralmusawi8680]

Same man 👨

[@blubobbie]

thanks for the insights! hifi has always interested me and i love hearing all these different perspectives

[@carloc8763]

Fantastic video again, John. Thank you!

[@mischievousjr.9299]

My dad was a total audio head, there's such a large aftermarket of Speakers and radios. Whether it be for portable reason or for having a good sound system in the car he would spend a lot of time at Flea Markets and Swap meets switching parts and speakers. He showed me how to appreciate music and the device that play music . I want to get a solid walkman, no sure whether to go with Japanese companies or American companies. Can anyone recommend American companies ? My dad only ever bought Asian speakers and whatnot. I'm planning on carrying a Boombox in my car just like my dad lol and maybe a Cassette player and I still have my iPods.

[@abolit]

Unfortunately there's no such thing as "American companies" anymore. You can't even buy a pair of jeans made in USA. Unbelievable.... I don't know what the situation in Europe is now, but in the US we all live in "everything is made in China" world ...

[@SpoopyKatt]

Well that's one way to overcomplicate poppin in Ur earphones and listening to music.

[@xaxb4178]

Thank you so much for this video. New to the scene and looking forward to learn more!

[@andycrook6508]

Excellent vid. Great info. Making choices based on compromises, as you state, is key.

[@Aneonaffe]

Thank you for this informative video. It really covers a wide range of solutions. And yes, you haters, of course you can play your music through the built-in speakers of your smartphone and then have saved 7000 euros. But the quality is in a different league. Do you also write under a video about a Porsche Taycan that you can also buy a Dacia? Please relax and enjoy the technical possibilities, even if they are not suitable for you.

[@timvanrooyen]

Lol I love my Dacia tho!

[@rizalahmad4207]

I appreciate what you said in the video. I get what you are trying to say and who this video is for. It’s for the ‘normal’ people like me. Which audio is not the top priority. Which music is what matters most. And listening to music, often time, doesn’t need to be critical. Yes, even if we are an hifi enthusiast.

[@Eleriath]

Awesome as always, and that was....some expensive gear there :) Thanks for showing all these options and thoughts!

[@totoyputik]

Great explanation and summarizing everyone's dilemma on which one to have. 🙏

[@saswatab79]

It would be best if my smartphone can have a high quality DAC build in. Don't have to worry about different dongles.

[@beelzking]

LG smartphone have decent dac and amp built in them, but it's pretty much none right now, since they basically quit making smartphone

[@user-fk3jp7by8n]

I have tried a lot of portable audio components, for about 5 years I have been looking for a combination that I like. Right now I am using - Campfire Audio Andromeda 2020 + Lotto Paw S1 DAC + Android phone. And I'm very happy, I think I'll stop here. At home I listen to music on - Sennheiser HD650 + Dac/Amp Cambridge Audio CXA61 + PC and am also very pleased with the sound.

[@robertreyes6664]

Just the video I was looking for. Instant subscriber. Bell icon too. Thanks man

[@SteveGerrardPhotography]

My fave video of yours for a while. Enjoyed that a lot. I saw Eat Static live years ago when they played the club where I was working. They were amazing. Senser supported.

[@jonass.4449]

Sony Xperia phone is really good. I use Xperia 5II + Sennheiser IE40 and this setup rocks my world. I listen to my vinyl rips and Tidal. Always use UAP Pro. Recently I changed my sound card from 120 € Stainberg to 1700€ RME Adi 2 FS and the difference is huge listening on my rather cheap smartphone/earphone combo. I also have Fiio Q1 dac/amp. Of course it sounds better than Sony, but as You say "it is all about compromises"😉 Thanks for great videos and for sharing amazing tracks. Waiting for the next one. 😉

[@billymisfits]

great video! as much as i love my desktop system at home i feel like i barely use it because I never have time when i'm home. portable audio has been a real blessing. 90% of my listening is done with my kann alpha and u12t's. the sound is a so good that i hardly ever use my wf-1000xm4 bt buds. at the gym i'll use my dap with a pair of etymotic er4p. yes it's not nearly as convenient as a pair of wireless earbuds but the sound is so much better. i use a runners fanny pack with the dap and for the most part it stays out of the way and is great. for airplanes i bought a cheap pair of hearing protection earmuffs that i use over my IEMs. not the most elegant solution but it works quite well. like you said portable audio is about compromises and I feel compromises are worth while for the sake of beautiful sound.

[@UNSCPILOT]

My desktop system is directly wired into my PC and is generally the only thing I connect the headphones to so I happily get to use it regularly, if only from intentional lack options. And for portable I just use a Fiio M9 and a selection of IEMs so I get to pick and choose what I feel like on the go without going to overboard with stuff like portable amps and ect. Options are only good until they start making it too much effort to use any of them, IMO

[@oscararevalo9806]

Your videos have now a different attitude. You seem more relaxed and happy about your assesments. I really like it.

[@Someone-gd5zx]

I realized I can listen anything that you explain and you have far more the best reviews on youtube. oh i also would love to have your playlists…

[@nurmbms90]

Great video . I never fail to watch your videos . This is my setup. For wired 1) Source: IPhone 12 pro with tidal masters 2) IEM: Moondrop x blessing 2 dusk. 3) Dongle DAC: Audioquest dragonfly cobalt. For wireless 1) Source: IPhone 12 pro with tidal masters 2) Wireless IEM: Sony WF-1000xm4

[@timvanrooyen]

Crinacle will be happy

[@nurmbms90]

@@timvanrooyen he should be happy. Portions of money probably goes to him, in return I get a great iem that competes way above its price tag. So win win for both sides

[@silvasen1985]

This video is too rich for me to watch fully

[@ryanwesteren9289]

This is probably my favortite portable audio overview to date! I would love to see something similar in regards to car audio. That's just where my attention is at for the moment.

[@fedebo1233]

Great video, very useful! Congratulations!

[@wowcoop]

Would love insight into listening volume levels for new IEM listeners, how do you balance safe listening levels with acoustic range and soundstage?

[@jamiemr2255]

Another great video thanks I just introduced my friends to this channel can’t wait to see the next video 👍

[@erikaleksandermoe1634]

Thanks John. My favorite IEMs from Campfire is also the Ara. For when I want much more bass I use the Dorado 2020. The two of them fill out every conceivable musical genre I listen to. I also use the Fiio M11 Plus LTD (with the AKM DAC chips) DAP and I absolutely love the setup. Recently I have tried to use a pair of Audeze LCD-XC with the Fiio DAP while at the office but I have not quite figured that one out, mainly regarding transporting but also EQing.

[@mgracia9238]

Great video. Can you mention in the future how much each dongle DAC impact the phone battery life?

[@ivindholta4081]

Thank you, John! One more great episode! If I can wish one more thing, related to this theme: Some of the equipment you showed us had 2,5mm BALANCED connections. I have a Pioneer XDP-300R DAP, supporting this 4-pin (TRRS-jack) connection and Shure SE535 (there is a couple of even more expensive IEM's, from Shure, as well....) - absolutely worth testing. With an appropriate cable (wich I have not found), the listening could have been done in "balanced mode" - witch in this scenario means using 4-conductor cable from the 2,5mm jack to the in-ear elements. Just like cabling loudspeakers. Have you tested this way to connect the in-ears? Does this make any difference vs. use of the standard 3-pole 3,5mm jack?

[@yolobaggins631]

Excellent vid as usual. Thanks.

[@Solarhawke]

Great breadth of information.

[@asnovasdodia]

I had an LG G7 and the DAC it used was just amazing. I didn't even know what a DAC was when I got it and afterwards I discovered what a huge difference it makes (even with cheaper headphones). Now I'm using an iPhone 12 and music is always greyer and more boring than before. I miss LG.

[@vgmastercleveland]

Get an LG. The V60 thinq has a quad dac and is less than $200.

[@adrianor.passarelli8127]

It's mid-2022 and I am still quite happy with my LG G7 Thinq... An awesome Android based Hi-Fi portable audio player that just happens to be a smartphone as well...

[@rustyyoung7980]

What headphones / IEMs are you using with them? Could it power the 6XX stand-alone, or would you need to mount the BTR-5 on the back or whatever for amplification? I have the LG V30 and it alone cannot get the volume loud enough by itself, leaving 20%+ volume desired. I feel the whole smartphone + further BTR-5 setup too clunky and uneesthetically-pleasing. But, idk, I'd rather have one device that includes ample support for both of those feats. Looking into the Shanling Q1, although there are obviously other factors that one must look into. Cost being in the upper quadrant for me, obviously.

[@rustyyoung7980]

I want the AirPod Pros, but simply cannot justify the price because I don't really *need* them and should first consider the gear I already own and taking advantage of that before moving onto something pricier And don't get me started with the hyper-inflation we're experiencing. Doesn't leave room for much, anyhow.

[@ukaszgrzesik7231]

Same, it is very convenient.

[@daghetto101]

​@@rustyyoung7980Open Back Headphones like the 6xx are meant to be used with DAC/Amp Stack

[@stevenp.sparks2953]

Love your style and your vids; Keep them coming!! Sparks in Daytona

[@dominikalbers6983]

Love that topic! I do 80% of my listening portable. I liv in an apartment with my family and after 7pm or when the kid takes a nap i can't pump up the volume of the main setup! So in the last 2 years i have gone more and more the route of protable audio (a few iem's/headphone's snd some Dongles/BT Amps). The main reasons for me: 1. I think it's such an plesure to listen everywere as intense or quiet i what to 2. it's often not that expensive and room consuming as traditional hifi 3. I get really great replay of music with fine detail 4. I like to collect thinks and ear/head phones are great for that, different designs/looks techniques, drivers and sound signature 5. It is a way to were cool looking think that produce sound for in the street as a statement, show who you are and what you love (music and musicreplay, industrial design)

[@bennycop]

The only 2 phones who actually cared about Hi Fi audio where LG and HTC and they both gone now

[@Big-J-8579]

Thanks. Always interesting. For me, the iPod touch with Bluetooth iem's or head phones (noise canceling) is more than enough for outside listening (out of the home). There is just to much background noise to worry about CD quality or hi-res in my opinion. As always, to each his own. For me, critical listening is done in my dedicated audio room. Unlike many, I am blessed to have one.

[@TheDavo10001]

Same here. Once there’s background noise, the benefits of higher end audio quality are just not audible to me. Lossless and a nice sound system is great at home, but a smartphone and Bluetooth noise canceling is just right for the train or when out for a walk. Got to say I agree with John about Plexamp. It’s fabulous. All the benefits of a full lossless music library and the convenience of listening anywhere.

[@Ducatijay72]

Really interesting, your production is absolute top notch 👌

[@greengadget4687]

Got a surprise with my Moukey MPHA1 DAC today, a lightening to USB C cable. Self powered and works great with my iPad.

[@Im-over-9000]

Just put the phone with cables & dac amps in a small shoulder bag and control everything with an apple watch. Obviously the phone needs to be an iPhone for this to work but this works sooo great.

[@johnmaynardelec5095]

If i have a desktop size dac, i will carry it along with my laptop and powerbank for fun.

[@josephchamberlain3681]

These kinds of "where do I start?" videos are so crucial.

[@AF-rd2vf]

I’ve been trying Roon Arc with my iPhone when out and about and it’s been a blast. I can now get access to anything in my Roon library which includes my local library and Tidal/Qobuz. You have to do a video. Kudos to Roon for getting this to work. BTW, the music is CD Quality and above.

[@EazyRed]

My setup is the Fiio UTWS3's, paired with my TinHifi T3+, connected with my Hiby R2... Hands down the best sub 300$ setup on the damn PLANET

[@EazyRed]

@@skooctavian1458 maybe, havent tried, dont have cables to test though, its unlikely though

[@niclaslindman]

I use a Sony Xperia 5 March III and sound great Worked headphones 👍To my Sony X1000M3 headphones 👌

[@jinvid]

Hi John, ordered the Dekoni bulletz through your Amazon link! Love your work, love your recommendations!

[@woodshop-audio]

Another great educational post! I like this kind of post and being an IEM nerd, totally agree with your analysis of the various options out there. I too will choose the most convenient options for short outings and the less convenient (and more expensive) options for longer outings. Keep up the good work.

[@JonnyInfinite]

Noise Cancelling would be the most important thing for on the go anyway... Do you really need the highest quality audio on the plane or the bus, or walking around the supermarket? Cheap in-ears and my V40, or noise cancelling over ears are fine for me

[@mistermcribbb1066]

something you could do to make the mojo a bit more portable is to make custom cabling, I've made my own usb cables before and I think that could be the answer you're looking for, you can just splice the cables together, or, if you aren't big into soldering, you could get a friend to do it or something which would make the cable a lot shorter and would make it so you don't need to buy so many adapter

[@edgronka327]

Great stuff. Ty for all you do.

[@virtualmike13]

I very much enjoy the in depth analysis and reasoning on benefits and drawbacks of these portable audio systems. While the high end devices will never be an option for me the comparisons between such unaffordable systems is very educational and helps me in my lower end purchases when deciding what to buy. Car enthusiasts read reviews on Maserati cars never intending to purchase one but it is a thrill to see them in action.

[@kurosaki97zangekii]

I just use a wired earbuds with 3.5mm adapter to usb c and, a 4.4mm to 3.5mm, to connect to whichever devices I have with me. Or just use both adapters at the same time.

[@akshaygoldsmith1887]

I feel like I am way back in the time after watching this video

[@stuarthorwood8412]

Thanks again John for an informative, watchable and fun video. Even though I'll never be in the market for most of these products, I do like your style

[@svenmuilwijk9952]

Love my Holocene's. And yes the Mammoth are no comparison in terms of clarity and detail. I use it with the new iFi xDSD Gryphon. Super convenient with both Bluetooth and wired connectivity, but it comes with a very short jumper cable which is fine for pocketing. And it sounds superb. Love this head-fi system.

[@iDimOS72]

Thank you! You opened my eyes with Plex and Plexamp! I have too big Hi-Fi library and i was searching to find a way to enjoy mobile!

[@iDimOS72]

AND you can have all this music in USB player(UPnP/DLNA servers)

[@gatobakuniano]

A lot of people consider that the Apple dongle gives a very good, clean, performance, even for expensive IEMS. It really must be considered. I bought the EU version for my Samsung, and it really was shitty because of the volume limitation. I just returned it, even if it was really cheap

[@rickjorstad6666]

I enjoy your videos because you do a great job of explaining what is possible, not necessarily what is best. I don't have the budget for a lot of the gear that you review, but everyone has their own budget and opinion of what "sounds good". On the topic of portable gear, I am excited to see what the future holds for Aptx adaptive equipped phones and earphones.

[@russsmith9042]

Im watching this on a LG V20 and i love the audio

[@Re_Panda]

I'm a beginner and I use a type c apple dac with Kz zst IEM along with high res offline music with wavelet auto eq on OnePlus 7T as my setup

[@samael450]

Nice sarcasm, but I don’t like it.

[@Not-A-Woke-Liberal]

For me it’s iPod 5.5 I have 2 of them it sounds a lot better than my iPhone 12 Pro Max. You are able to upgrade to flash storage and bigger battery and it’s not Android. I don’t have 3TB of music. Everything is imported to CD quality.

[@baldmeschris]

Love your even-handed approach to how you listen to music. Like you said, some people will die on their hill of having the highest-end system at all times even if it means compromising convenience. They refuse to admit that it’s ok to pop in your Airpods pro for a quick jaunt to the coffeeshop--sorry I don’t want to fumble with my dongle dac + IEM’s while trying to just order a latte!

[@SSRaskar]

Fiio btr7 and the KZ zsn pro X is a go to pair of earphones. the synergy of them just plays hand in hand. the KZ lack a bit of bass but Fiio does its job to really brighten up the places and it feels so good.

[@androcci]

I am surprised you haven't dont a review of the sony walkman gold DAP mark 2

[@allanwhy]

after i started getting sick of my 10 adapters and dacs for my iphone so i decided to rip my cds with exact audio copy and put it on my ipod classic... sounds amazing and it's kind of enough for "on the go terms" in my case

[@jon342]

I’ve been doing similar with my CDs for a while (ripping to ALAC). Last year I modded the iPod to put in a 1TB drive and have been able to keep my whole library on there. It was a fun project.

[@thomasalexand]

I have an inexpensive Sony NW-A55L and a pair of AKG headphones. I have inserted a 1TB into the Sony and all my CDs in .wav format are on it. It does me. Thousands of euros for portable audio? My friends can't believe I've spent almost two-thousand pounds for my home Wi-Fi set-up. A different world.

[@robertosans5250]

@@jon342 wow, how did you do that? i would love to do the same

[@theebayhififanatic6002]

Great video! I find myself more and more turning to my iPad- dragonfly cobalt at home with Tidal rather than going to the main HiFi now for the convenience

[@ronaldweed6103]

I used mainly Cassettes,some CD but skipped too often,am-fm radio in the early 60s,but now Phone. I had so many sources i forgotten

[@Matt-fd9hc]

I can’t imagine going back to wired once using true wireless IEMs.

[@UNSCPILOT]

I swap back and forth between my nicer sounding IEMs and true wireless buds depending on if I want the transparency mode mostly, oddities of bluetooth and tiny battery powered devices can still bug me, and having a nice quality digital audio player wired to some IEMs is still reliable and high enough quality to be my preference when I just want music and nothing else

[@omahahaha]

I mainly prefer a portable audio player over my phone to save battery life of my phone for phone stuff.

[@Cyba_IT]

Plus you don't get annoying notifications and annoying calls :p

[@Ricelord4]

Thanks for bringing up the Plex server! That will make things very convenient when internet is available, which is basically most places with a cellular network signal. I used to run an FTP server at home, but it's a clunky solution. For portable music, I use my cellphone - either with the FiiO BTR5 2021 and IEMs or an Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm dongle and IEMs. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro for when I just want convenience and active noise canceling. I was thinking of using an old iPhone 6 as basically an iPod Touch, but its limited storage capacity and battery life is not going to be great.

[@HedgehogDude18]

Just recently got the Ibasso DX300 and although it’s a pretty huge device, I am extremely happy with it! I’ve had devices from Fiio to Astell and Kern but never found one I truly liked until the Ibasso. However I did buy an older Astell and Kern AK70 to use as a smaller more portable solution when I’m out since they run used for around 170 USD now. Primarily use the Ibasso for critical listening and the AK70 for a quick grab and go access to my music library.