The highest sample rate you can find in a DAP is 384kHz, which is pretty high for most files. A higher sampling rate usually equals better sound quality. Measured in hertz, sampling rate refers to the number of times the audio sample is recorded per second. Sampling RateĪnother major feature you should consider is the sampling rate that the music player supports because it directly affects the output quality. In addition, look for upgradable memory slots that allow you to use larger SD cards in the future. Make sure the SD slot supports an SD card with enough space for your current and future music library, which you’ll most likely be expanding constantly. Most DAPs come with or support external storage because the internal storage, which can range from 2GB to 512GB, might not be enough for storing hi-res tracks.

With a single hi-res audio file taking up to 10x the space that standard MP3 files do, you’ll notice that a DAP is different from a regular MP3 player. That’s particularly the case with audiophile music players since you need to listen to hi-res files that take up lots of space.

In today’s digital age, there’s no such thing as too much storage. However, besides the sound quality, the following features are the most important ones to look for in a DAP. That’s why it’s best to check the music player physically before shopping, as it can give you a real feeling of what it sounds like. While some prefer a warm and musical sound, others want it crisp, flat, and precise. But sound quality is mainly subjective, and every audiophile prefers slightly different characteristics in the sound signature. Sound quality is the first feature to look for in a portable music player.

Amazon music player portable