A hi-res digital audio player is a dedicated device for your own music files, with its own DAC and headphone output instead of a phone’s. Some run Android and stream through apps, while others play stored files only. Screen size, DAC chips, balanced outputs and storage are the main differences.
The six players below run from a 2 inch button-driven unit to a 5 inch Android player with Class A and AB amplification. Specs come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these players ourselves. Playback times, format support and output claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Android players run streaming apps; simpler players focus on files |
| DAC and outputs | Balanced 4.4mm outputs suit certain headphones |
| Storage | Built-in memory plus microSD slots hold lossless libraries |
| Wireless | Bluetooth codecs and Wi-Fi vary by model |
Specs at a Glance
| Player | Screen and storage | DAC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony NW-A306 | 3.6 in; 32GB; microSD | Sony PCM conversion; DSD to 11.2MHz | Up to 36 hours of 44.1kHz FLAC (maker); Wi-Fi |
| FiiO M21 | 4.7 in; 64GB; microSD | Quad CS43198 | Android 13; Desktop Mode with 950mW output |
| HiBy R1 | 3 in touchscreen | CS43131; DSD256 native | HiByOS; Tidal and Qobuz streaming; Bluetooth 5.1 |
| HiBy R6III | 5 in; 64GB; up to 2TB card | Four CS43198; DSD512 native | Android 12; Class A and AB amplifiers |
| HIFI WALKER H2 | 2 in; 64GB card included | ESS ES9018K2M; DSD128 | USB DAC; line out; Bluetooth transmit and receive |
| SHANLING M3 Ultra | 4.2 in; 32GB; microSD | Dual ES9219C | Android 10; 3.5mm and 4.4mm outputs |
The 6 Best Hi-Res Digital Audio Players
1. Sony NW-A306 Walkman
A 32GB pocket player with a 3.6 inch screen, an aluminum frame, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, a microSD slot and USB-C. The maker lists up to 36 hours of 44.1kHz FLAC playback, DSD up to 11.2MHz and 360 Reality Audio support, and the listing says it is supported by Android.
Suits: a compact Walkman with Wi-Fi. Strengths: a long listed playback time and DSD support. Weaknesses: only 32GB built in. Skip it if you want a balanced output.
View Sony NW-A306 Walkman Digital Audio Player on Amazon
2. FiiO M21
A 4.7 inch Android 13 player with a Snapdragon 680, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It uses four CS43198 DAC chips in a fully balanced design, supports LDAC and offers a Desktop Mode that runs on external power with a listed 950mW output.
Suits: streaming apps plus a balanced design. Strengths: Android 13 and quad DACs. Weaknesses: the listing exists in several color versions. Skip it if you want a tiny player.
View FiiO M21 Android Digital Audio Player on Amazon
3. HiBy R1
A 3 inch touchscreen player with a CS43131 chip, DSD256 native and PCM 384kHz playback, Bluetooth 5.1 and the HiByOS system on an X1600E processor. It supports Tidal and Qobuz streaming (online only), internet radio and the MSEB mixer, with microSD expansion that the title lists at up to 2TB.
Suits: a small touchscreen player. Strengths: streaming and a sound mixer. Weaknesses: not a full Android player. Skip it if you want Android apps.
View HiBy R1 Digital Audio Player on Amazon
4. HiBy R6III
A 5 inch Android 12 player with a Snapdragon 665, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and memory expandable to 2TB. It pairs four CS43198 DACs with Class A and Class AB headphone amplifiers, and lists DSD512 native, PCM 768kHz and MQA 16x playback. The box includes a case and three screen protectors.
Suits: larger headphones and a big screen. Strengths: two amplifier modes and a 5 inch display. Weaknesses: the largest unit here. Skip it if you want pocket size.
View HiBy R6III Android Digital Audio Player on Amazon
5. HIFI WALKER H2
A 2 inch player with physical controls and an ESS ES9018K2M DAC, listed with 107dB signal-to-noise and DSD128 support. It acts as a USB DAC, has line out and headphone out, and offers Bluetooth 5.2 in both transmit and receive modes with aptX HD and LDAC. A 64GB microSD card is included, and the listing says cards up to 512GB are supported.
Suits: a button-driven file player. Strengths: USB DAC and line out. Weaknesses: a small screen and no apps. Skip it if you want touch control.
View HIFI WALKER H2 Hi-Res Audio Player on Amazon
6. SHANLING M3 Ultra
A 4.2 inch Android 10 player with dual ES9219C DAC chips, a Snapdragon 665 octa-core processor and 32GB of storage. It has both 3.5mm single-ended and 4.4mm balanced outputs, an aluminum frame and a new microSD door, and the maker’s AGLO system aims at lossless Android output.
Suits: a balanced output in a medium body. Strengths: two outputs and Android apps. Weaknesses: an older Android version. Skip it if you want Android 13.
View SHANLING M3 Ultra Android Digital Audio Player on Amazon
Setup Checklist
- Check which outputs the listing names.
- Look at the operating system and app support.
- Confirm the storage and card size supported.
- Match the Bluetooth codecs to your headphones.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming every player runs streaming apps.
- Skipping the output list when you own balanced headphones.
- Counting on built-in storage alone for a large library.
- Reading a maker’s playback time as a guarantee.
Hi-Res Audio Player FAQ
Do I need a player if I have a phone?
A phone plays music too. These players add dedicated DACs, extra outputs and card slots.
Does Hi-Res mean lossless?
Not by itself. Check the formats each listing names, such as FLAC and DSD.
The Short Version
For a compact Walkman, the Sony NW-A306. For Android 13, the FiiO M21. For a small touchscreen, the HiBy R1. For a big amplified player, the HiBy R6III. For a USB DAC and buttons, the HIFI WALKER H2. For a balanced output on Android, the SHANLING M3 Ultra.
