In the modern day of tech, our phones are a “do everything and need nothing else” device. However, with the growing trend of cutting back on phone time, some people are doing the opposite. That’s why we’ve ended up with small retro handhelds to take with us; so we aren’t just gaming on our phones, too.
But what about music? If we want to pull away from using our phones for everything, could we put our music onto MP3 players or DAPs? Or can we just use our handhelds for that too?
Well, that’s what I’m here to figure out.
The Choices
Handhelds
When it comes to choices, you really have three options. The one I’m focused on today comes in the form of your handhelds. A lot of devices have had built-in audio players, but in more recent memory, there have been more updates allowing for even more ways to play your music.
The RG Nano received an unstable port of Rockbox, which only misses the Rockbox utility. The TrimUI A133P handhelds have a Rockbox port via NextUI Paks, and PortMaster recently got its own Rockbox port; so everything from the RP Flip 2 to the GKD Pixel 2 can run Rockbox as well.
Using the standardized measurement of my Koss KSC75s, I can say that, using the built-in headphone jacks, both the TrimUI Brick and GKD Pixel 2 sound relatively similar to one another, though the Pixel comes through a bit louder, which suggests it can push a bit more power than the Brick.
If you want to deal with more power draw, you can use something like a $9 Apple USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to improve sound quality at the expense of a lower overall volume. If you’re going to go the handheld route, my recommendation is the Pixel 2 for the higher power, smaller size, and recent addition of Rockbox via PortMaster.
Digital Audio Players
In the new age of selling you something you bought 15 years ago, there are a few modern DAPs that are worth checking out. I prefer to stay in the “more affordable” category, and have two options. The Innioasis Y1 and the Hiby M300. Both of which somehow run Android.
The Innioasis’s lightweight plastic build makes it nice as an everyday carry, with its $50 price tag and Bluetooth capability being extra appealing. Sound-wise, it’s quite good for the price. It’s got no issue powering my KSC75s, which is good, and covers while having a fairly neutral tone, the additional bass in the music coming more from my headphone choice than anything else.
Compare that to the Hiby M300, a metal build, Android DAP with a Snapdragon 665, meaning you could emulate up to PSP on this thing as well. It’s got everything your Android handhelds can hold and an even stronger headphone jack. Powering more than just something as basic as my KSC75. I also gave my Philips SHP9500s and Sennheiser HD6XXs a run through with the M300, and it handled it like a champ. If you want to maintain your streaming services, like Lossless Apple Music, this is definitely the route worth taking.
Ole’ Reliable
There are a lot of options, but I’m gonna focus purely on one brand that everyone knows: Apple. The two units I’ve got on hand include a modded iPod Mini 2nd Gen and a 6th-gen iPod Classic. Both are built well with aluminum with clear sight. My iPod Mini has a new battery and a 128GB SD card buried inside of it, while the Classic is bone stock.
While Rockbox once again remains the alternative OS for both, I run iTunes on each. Why? Maybe I hate myself, but maybe I just enjoy the nostalgia of booting up an out-of-date piece of software to load my legally obtained music onto it. Actually, though, Bandcamp is great. I do buy a lot of my music.
Soundwise, I find myself preferring the sound of the iPod Mini more than the Classic. Maybe that comes down to a combination of my KSC75s alongside the different DACs in the units. DACs are an entire rabbit hole on their own, so I’ll keep it simple. The Digital to Analogue Converter in the iPod Mini is made by Wolfsen, which produces a warmer low-end filling tone.
The Cirrius DAC in the Classic is more neutral; not pushing low end, mids, or highs much above everything else. In the end, despite a harder modding process. I’d still go out and pay for a Mini over a Classic 6th gen. The 5.5 may be a better middle ground, though.
The Verdict
If you happen to have none of these options, not even a handheld in general, your most cost-effective choice is likely to be the Innioasis Y1, available for just $50. If you have a Rockbox-capable handheld, I’d recommend just giving that a try if you don’t mind sacrificing some handheld gaming time for listening time.
My personal favorites are the iPod Mini G2 and the Hiby M300. One comes in for on-the-go listening, while the other is great for at-home listening while I type up articles about DAPs on my computer. Oh wait… Regardless, there aren’t any bad options, but be sure to look at your actual needs before you go digging for a DAP. Your phone might actually be enough for you.
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