Digital audio players span the gamut in price. Basic DAPs can be found on Amazon for less than $50. Others, like the Astell&Kern SP3000, can cost several thousand dollars. It’s not usually necessary to spend an exorbitant amount of money on a digital audio player. Still, they can become quite expensive, easily reaching $3,000-$5,000 with more advanced features and luxuries like copper enclosures.  As a rule, DAPs that support Android will be more expensive than those that do not. Likewise, DAPs that support more connectivity options, like balanced versus just single-ended headphones, will also be more expensive. Within this framework, there can be a wide range of prices, so it’s important to look at what features you need and desire most and choose the option that works for you. It’s important to remember that hi-fi can be an expensive hobby. The cost ceiling stretches far higher than most listeners would ever consider spending. Just because a DAP is twice as expensive does not mean it’s twice as good.