Nostalgia for old-school consumer electronics is a lucrative market that more brands should focus on. HMD, for example, is revamping iconic Nokia handsets for hipsters. Others are reviving long-dormant hardware. Fosi Audio, meanwhile, is offering the DAP Neo. It’s a cool little piece of tech for those who miss older-generation iPods, and also makes a wonderful holiday gift.
Given the overwhelming popularity of Apple’s smartphones, music enthusiasts gradually gave up on a standalone portable music player. Although the iPod Touch lasted until 2022, models with the intuitive Click Wheel interface were discontinued years earlier.
Admittedly, some of us miss the tactile feel of that system. If you’re in the same boat, leave it to Fosi Audio to come up with a contemporary alternative. Before you buy one, keep in mind the DAP Neo screen does not support capacitive touch interactions.
Instead, every function relies on the push buttons and mechanical wheel. Everything about this gadget is designed to look and feel premium. The full-metal housing curves in all the right places, thanks to the 5-axis CNC precision machining process. You can get it in Galaxy (silver) and Obsidian (black) colorways.
Elsewhere, the rear is clad in micron-etched AG glass. It measures 97 mm x 47 mm x 10.6 mm, which ergonomically fits in the palm of your hand. At roughly 75 grams, the device’s weight is practically negligible. In charge of its audio processing is a single CS43198 DAC chip.
Internal storage options are 16 GB and 64 GB only, but you can always expand it via microSD. Maximum output power is 129 mW with an SNR of 127 dB. Bluetooth connectivity is likewise available for tangle-free listening sessions or for pairing your DAP Neo with speakers.
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Images courtesy of Fosi Audio
