Calling AK and android dap is a bit misleading, even if technically correct, imo. It is still a locked down OS with even limited sideloading options. It has everything I personaly would want (especialy with roon now on the sp1/2k), but it should be noted you can’t just sideload an appstore to them
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I wouldn’t describe it as misleading. Qualified maybe. A&K don’t claim anything more than being able to run some specific music streaming applications (they don’t mention Android at all on some of their product pages, despite it being the core of their products OS).
It is definitely limited in that regard, and the lack of auto-update capabilities for the Open App service is a bit of a pain in the arse. I would think most people that want random Android apps would have them on their phone, and those that don’t probably don’t want them at all … beyond the streaming/music clients.
Every “true” or “full” Android DAP I’ve touched has had significant issues - and that’s BEFORE installing random apps from any of the available app-stores. I was actually in the “anything but Android” camp until on-device streaming became a requirement.
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More so than misleading by AK, I more of meant misleading to bring up in an android dap thread ad chances are the reason someone wants an android dap don’t work on ak stuff
100% agree there. Imo, an android based dap just isn’t a good value proposition. I would much rather BT stream/usb hookup from my phone where I can use cellular data. Plus, non android daps don’t seem to depreciate as fast which is quite nice
We’ll have to agree to disagree on that.
My experience, and the bulk of the correspondence I get, says that the reason people looking for DAP’s running Android is to run music streaming clients, not general App Stores/applications.
Given the generally piss-poor state of SoCs in Android DAPs, I would have to assume that anyone paying a DAP premium for something approximating 2016’s Android general/random app performance has lost the plot.
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I am on my third android dap attempt. The sony nw-zx507 arrived today.
The only thing I need it to do is play apple music and amazon music hd. That’s it. That is a surprisingly high bar. I do need the buttons on the outside to work.
My feeling is android players should pre-load most music apps and lock down and test only that. Make that work really really well. Just that. Nothing else.
If non android daps had apple music and amazon hd, that is where I would be.
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Counter to my experience somewhat (with people looking at android daps often specificaly looking for Apple music and other streaming services not on ak stuff), but fair enough.
Lol. Agree there. BT is generaly so good now I just don’t see the appeal of local streaming services at the cost of using android 7/8, but that seems to be getting a bit off topic
I hope ot works out for you!
As for preloading apps, while I agree that would be ideal, it can be kind of hard for companies (especialy niche ones like most dap manufacturers) to keep up with streaming service protocol updates without a direct partnership. I suspect the reason you see a couple specific streaming services preloaded on all devices over stuff like Amazon HD and Apple music is just due to the ability to create those relationships with the services themselves
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I understand the complexities. But some companies manage to make things work (sony nw-zx507) vs not work (iBasso dxXXX). Haven’t tried the hiby to see where it stands.
Apple Music is supported on A&K’s Open App service.
While I’m sure there are some minor, region-specific, non-mainstream streaming services that people want to run, as far as I’m aware all of the majors, and a good number of minors are supported and verified (including a good number that I’ve never heard of).
If I’m using Bluetooth for a listening session, then I’ve already chosen convenience over quality. It has improved a lot, but it is still lacking in my opinion. Not the least part of which is due to half-assed implementations (either in software or in the choice/implementation of the radios/antenna).
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I can tell you exactly where HiBy stands.
The first unit HiBy R6 2020 sent was defective. I sent it back and they sent a new one. But the operating system was in Chinese. I asked for it to be replaced with an English version but instead they tried to have me fix their problem. I tried in good faith to work with them (15 times with back-and forth emails), then asked that I send it in for them to fix. They offered this solution but then reneged, stating it was a" waste of time and money". So, 9 months and no music. Interestingly, I bought a Sony Walkman at the same time and I’ve been listening to it for 9 months, trouble free. (Also, it sounds really good!)
Unbelievable, but I just found a company that has more HS customer service than my cable company.
This issue is still not resolved.
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Pretty sure I read this experience of yours elsewhere.
I have dropped daps entirely from my audio experience. They all represent to much sacrifice for to little gain. Every one of them had different major flaws.
I haven’t been using my DAP much (bought the iBasso DX320 a while back), but I broke it out for a trip today. I seem to remember that the streaming apps (Qobuz and Tidal) used to be plagued by the Android resampling issue, but playing from both today, every indication was they were playing at the higher bitrates of high res (or MQA). Does anyone know, have the native apps been updated to bypass or otherwise deal with the Android Audio issues?