What makes this better than an ipod, or a smartphone. Unlike a record player it seems to me that there is not even the nostalgia factor here. I’m trying to understand what a device like this gives to its users. It might be self evident to an audiophile, but I’m not one.
Outdoors_guyIt sounds much, much better, you can change the sound profiles of different types of music to your liking, it holds much more music in higher quality files, it can drive iem’s or phones with a substantial impedance and better sound, and it is easier to operate as a music player.
Outdoors_guySometimes you just want to have an item that carries your entire music library and the 128GB phones without expandable storage doesn't fit your need.
One issue with Android smartphones, from what I hear, is with their SRC so people are looking for ways to bypass it and these custom OS systems can do it.
Personally, I prefer something with physical controls on the player as I use my good old IEMs without mic controls or tap controls.
Last, there is a nostalgia factor here, at least for me. I miss DAPs like the iPod Classic. Something that's just for music and audio gear.
And like NorthernHarrier said, it could be better for high end gear. But I'm not 100% on that considering the DAC/Amp adapters out there. Probably won't be running around with TRP50, Beyers, or anything with high impedance or power requirements outside too much that an adapter can't handle.