Onkyo Announces Two New Portable Digital Audio Players: DP-X1A and DP-S1

Onkyo Announces Two New Portable Digital Audio Players: DP-X1A and DP-S1

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(Onkyo)(May 15, 2017) News continues to pour out of camp Onkyo, as the company recently unveiled another round of exciting high-performance audio products. In an effort to expand its presence in the realm of Hi-Res music, Onkyo is releasing two new Digital Audio Players (DAPs). The DP-X1A (MSRP $799 US, $1,099 CAD) and DP-S1 ($449 US, $649 CAD) give enthusiasts two great options at sufficiently varied price points.

The DP-X1A represents the company’s new flagship DAP. Its innards are chock-full of high-end audiophile grade components, including dual ESS Sabre DACs, a High Capacity Conductive Polymer Capacitor to stabilize the power supply and absorb noise on high clock rates, and a Discrete Thin Fil Chip Resistor for fine-tuned audio emanating from its balanced and unbalanced output jacks. Onkyo has also separated the audio circuit board and CPU board to isolate internal noise for a more robust soundstage.

Not surprisingly, the DP-X1A supports MQA audio files, as well as most of the common Hi-Res formats found on the market today. These files can be stored on internal storage (64GB, expandable to 512GB using dual micro SD cards), and music can be streamed with Wi-Fi/Wi-Fi Direct and Hi-Res Bluetooth (aptX/SBC).

Similar to last year’s DP-X1, the DP-X1A relies on the Android operating system, making it fully compatible with Google Play.

I reviewed last year’s DP-X1 model and the experience was top flight. There’s no reason to suspect the DP-X1A won’t offer the same or better overall performance, especially considering it’s Onkyo’s second attempt at a portable DAP. The DP-X1A’s improved graphical user interface looks to be a major upgrade, allowing for “no look” operation and a various convenience and usability improvements.

ONKYO_DP-S1_150dpi

• Todd Anderson
• May 16, 2017

(Onkyo) The new DP-S1.The DP-S1 is not only less expensive, it’s also physically smaller. Measuring at 3.7” H x 2.5” W x .6” D (versus the DP-X1A’s 5” x 3” x .5”), this model has a rather significant size advantage which plays to mobility and convenience. Internally, it features dual ESS SABRE DACs paired with headphone amps designed in a fully balanced circuit, with output to 3.5mm unbalanced and 2.5mm 4 pole balanced jack options.

It carries 25-percent of the DP-X1A’s internal storage (with only 16GB available), but can be expanded with external cards to 512GB. It also does not carry an Android operating system.

Much like the DP-X1A, the DP-S1 carries support for MQA, Hi-Res streaming (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth), and loads of Hi-Res file compatibility (up to 192 kHz/32-bit). Users will also appreciate its ability to upsample lower resolution audio.

Both DAPs are available for purchase now.


Specifications

DP-X1A
OS Android: OS 5.1.1
Total Storage: 576 GB
Internal Storage: RAM 64 GB Included Android OS system area (RAM: 2 GB)
Extended Storage: 512 GB Via Two 256 GB Micro SD Card Slots
DAC & HP Amplifier: Two ESS SABRE DAC ES9018K2M & Two Headphone AMP SABRE 9601K
Wi-Fi Specification: 802.11a/b/g/n or 802.11ac (Wi-Fi direct / WPS)
Bluetooth Support Profile: A2DP/ AVRCP/ HSP/ OPP/ HID/ PAN
Codec: SBC/apt-X (Transmit only)
Playable Audio Formats: DSD/ DSF/ DSD-IFF/ FLAC/ ALAC/ WAV/ AIFF/ Ogg-Vorbis/ MP3/ AAC /MQA (MQA requires update)
Sampling Rates & Bits: 11.2MHz/ 5.6MHz/ 2.8MHz / 1 bit 44.1k/ 48k/ 88.2k/ 96k/ 176.4k/ 192k/ 352.8k/ 384k 16bit/ 24bit
(*32 bit float/integer can be played down converted to 24 bit)
Playlist Formats: M3U/ PLS/ WPL
Supported Video Format: H.263/ H.264 AVC/ H.265 HEVC/ MPEG-4 SP/ VP8/ VP9
Balanced Output: 150 mW + 150 mW (Balanced / 1kHz, THD=10%, 32 ohm)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.006 %
S/N Ratio: 115 dB over
Frequency Response: 20 Hz ∼ 80,000 Hz
Impedance Unbalanced: 16 ∼ 300 Ω / Balanced: 32∼ 600 Ω
I/O Ports: 2.5 mm 4-pole balance headphone output (from tip R-/R+ /L+ L-)
3.5 mm 3-pole headphone output (Line out mode)(no microphone support)
Micro USB /OTG output (for charging and data transfer)
Gain: Low / Normal / High
Battery Size: 1,630 mAh / 3.8 V
Battery Life: 16 hours (96kHz/24bit, FLAC, Unbalanced Playback)
Dimensions: (HxWxD) 5 x 3 x .5 Inches
Weight: 7.23 Ounces
Language: Support Japanese / English / German / French / Spanish / Italian / Chinese (simplified & traditional)
Accessories Micro USB Cable




DP-S1
Total Storage: 528 GB
Internal Storage: 16 GB Included
Extended Storage: 512 GB Via Two 256 GB Micro SD Card Slots
DAC & HP Amplifier: Two ESS SABRE DAC ES9018C2M & Two Headphone AMP SABRE 9601K
Wi-Fi Specification: 802.11a/b/g/n or 802.11ac (Wi-Fi direct / WPS)
Bluetooth Support Profile: A2DP/ AVRCP/ HSP/ OPP/ HID/ PAN
Codec: SBC/apt-X (Transmit only)
Playable Audio Formats: DSD/ DSD-IFF/ FLAC/ ALAC/ WAV/ AIFF/ MP3/ AAC /MQA (MQA requires update)
Maximum Resolution: 192 KHz / 32-bit
Balanced Output: 150 mW + 150 mW (Balanced / 1kHz, THD=10%, 32 ohm)
Total Harmonic Distortion: Less than 0.006 %
S/N Ratio: 115 dB over
Frequency Response: 20 Hz ∼ 80,000 Hz
Impedance Unbalanced: 16 ∼ 300 Ω / Balanced: 32∼ 600 Ω
I/O Ports: 2.5 mm 4-pole balance headphone output (from tip R-/R+ /L+ L-)
3.5 mm 3-pole headphone output (Line out mode)(no microphone support)
Micro USB (for charging and data transfer)
Gain: Low / Normal / High
Battery Size: 1,630 mAh
Battery Life: 15 hours (Playback at 96kHz/24bit, FLAC. Individual results may vary)
Dimensions: (HxWxD) 3.7 x 2.5 x .6 Inches
Weight: 4.6 Ounces
Accessories: Micro USB Cable

 

[1_sufferin_mind]

Thank you foryour time and effort, Todd!

When I first came across Astell & Kern's DAP, I wanted one; especially since I was iPainted into an iCorner with my iDon'tDoHiResPhone! But alas, it's not been in the budget. So my interest waned, and I lost touch with the DAP market. Then along comes Todd with his review of the Pioneer XDP-30R, a little $400 techno gizmo in its own right. Pah-TOING!! Back on the radar! Now, armed with little knowledge and even less restraint, it's time to delve into the world according to DAP.

Any chance of getting comparable players from Pioneer, Onkyo, and _____?_____ for a mini shootout?

 

[Todd Anderson]

Well, unfortunately the process isn't quite as easy as requesting and receiving. I've definitely requested both...if or when they arrive is a much different process. Much of it is reliant on what stock is on hand and how many review units - if any - are actually allocated.

I love the idea of a shootout...but I'm imaging the Onkyo/Pionner probably wouldn't be game for delivering units for that purpose. Hopefully, hands on both will happen, though, and I'd be more than happy to give impressions!