Quitting Spotify was tough for me, but I’ve found a great alternative: my new digital audio player (DAP).
Before smartphones and sleek devices like the iPod, we had simple MP3 players. They were small, basic, and could hold tons of songs. The iPod changed everything by making music access quick and easy. It led to smartphones, and now many people only use streaming services like Spotify.
I’ve got friends who are musicians, and I can’t support Spotify. They don’t pay artists fairly, and the sound quality suffers from compression. I listen to a niche genre called dungeon synth with many small artists. I prefer buying music on Bandcamp because it ensures that more money goes directly to the artists.
Until I got my DAP, my Bandcamp purchases felt theoretical. I would buy albums but usually just streamed music instead. With a DAP, I’m now discovering the joy of listening to music I own.
While many people talk about revamping old iPods, I opted for something different: the Snowsky Fiio Echo Mini. I didn’t want any extra features or Bluetooth. I just wanted a device that plays MP3s with great sound quality.
The Echo Mini looks like a tape deck and is surprisingly small. For under a hundred dollars, it has a lot of storage—256GB with a micro SD card slot. The battery life is fantastic; I haven’t had to charge it since I bought it a month ago.
Admittedly, using it can be tricky. Its menus remind me of old video games—lots of scrolling and clicking. But that’s part of the charm. It pushes me to pick an album and listen to it fully, rather than being overwhelmed by options. I’ve realized I don’t need access to every album; having a few of my favorites makes me appreciate them even more.
The sound quality is incredible. I experience details in songs I thought I knew well. For instance, Rosalia’s recent album LUX sounds rich and full, and I can catch nuances in Dev Lemons’ Surface Tension that I missed on streaming services.
Now that I’ve embraced my DAP, I can see a future without streaming. Listening to albums with intention has rekindled my love for music. Sometimes, a little friction—like needing to actually buy an album—can be a good thing. It reminds me of the joy of discovering and enjoying music in a more meaningful way.
For anyone interested, you can check out the Snowsky Fiio Echo Mini here. If you’re exploring music in a new way, consider investing in a DAP and enjoy the journey!
