Video Summary - AliExpress Budget DAP? Are They Good?

Product(s) reviewed

Two AliExpress budget Android-based digital audio players (DAPs):

Zishan P30 (≈ $70, “96GB HiFi Lossless music player”) – the “bigger” model
Oil Sky (≈ $60–$70 range in listings, “HiFi MP3 player”) – the “cheaper/simpler” model

The video frames them as alternatives to more established audiophile brands, largely chosen for Android app flexibility under $100.

Key features mentioned

Android streaming / app support (main selling point)

Both players run on Android, allowing installation/use of apps such as:

Tidal
Spotify
Apple Lossless
FiiO Music
HiBy Music

Additional notes from the review:

FiiO Music and HiBy Music are included out of the box.
They include a Play Store, described as a trimmed “phone-like” Android setup.

Audio hardware / decoding claims

Shared capabilities

Both support DSD 512 (native DSF). The reviewer reports successfully playing a DSD 512 1-bit track with no issues.
Both support LDAC, though the reviewer argues LDAC/Bluetooth performance isn’t a strong reason to buy these devices.

Zishan P30 specs

Android 12
Dual DAC: ES9018Q2M
Op-amp stage: OPA1612
Amplifier: RT/RO series mentioned (RT6363D / 6863D)
Outputs: 4.4mm balanced + 3.5mm single-ended
Controls: Rotary volume knob
Battery: 2,500 mAh
Display: 3.4-inch TFT
Expansion / connections: MicroSD + USB Type-C (gold-plated mentioned)

Oil Sky specs

Android 9
Single DAC: ES9018Q2M
Amplifier: MAx97720 (described as slightly cheaper/inferior)
Output: 3.5mm single-ended only (no balanced)
Controls: Rotary volume knob
Expansion / connections: MicroSD + USB Type-C
Design note: Back glass panel; “fingerprint magnet” mentioned

Physical / usability

Build/ergonomics praised for the price:
- Glass panel, buttons, rotary volume control
- Leather case mentioned as included (though not used in some demos)
- Design/feel compared to Cayin-style controls
Screen brightness:
- Usable indoors
- Harder in direct sunlight at max brightness (applies to both)

User experience / performance observations

Boot speed / UI

Oil Sky (Android 9) boots faster.
Zishan P30 (Android 12) loads slower; the reviewer attributes this to Android version complexity.

UI limitations (setback)

The reviewer describes the user experience as:

More basic than established brands’ Android DAP implementations (less feature-rich than HiBy/Shanling/iBasso/FiiO, etc.)
Includes small buttons and occasional usability friction

A specific streaming note:

Tidal may require extra taps due to perceived slowness/lag related to Android/system constraints and memory (reviewer’s impression).

Battery life

Zishan P30: ~12 hours driving an AAW CJ10 planar via 4.4mm balanced, with no heat reported.
Oil Sky: ~10 hours in the reviewer’s scenario (about 2 hours less), using 3.5mm and local playback with Wi‑Fi off.

Power / wired headphone driving

Overall impression is that Zishan P30 (balanced) is more capable:

Zishan P30 (4.4mm balanced):
- Drives AAW CJ10 “to 100%” (reviewer perception)
- Drives FiiO FT7 in 4.4mm to an estimated ~75% vs more powerful gear
Oil Sky (3.5mm single-ended):
- Estimated around ~80% max with CJ10, even in high gain mode

DSD 512 playback

The reviewer tests a DSD 512 1-bit native DSF track:
- Both players play it successfully with no stutter/issues.
The reviewer also claims these two models handle tracks that some other devices in the reviewer’s collection cannot play.

Comparisons made

Against other compact/known DAPs (size)

Compared physical thickness/size to:

HiBy R3 Pro Max
Snow Sky Echo Mini

The review characterizes them as ultra-compact, using a mobile phone (e.g., Xiaomi Mi 90) as a scale reference.

Against known audiophile DAPs (sound character)

Sound comparisons include mention of:

FiiO M3 mini
HiBy R3 Mark II (2025)
iBasso DX160 (in context of output power via 3.5mm)
AP80 Pro X

Reviewer’s conclusions:

Zishan P30: more technical (higher resolution, more microdetail, wider soundstage, more power)
Oil Sky: more musical/warm (less resolving; more “analog timbre,” better suited for efficient IEMs and casual listening)

Bluetooth / LDAC stance

The reviewer argues not to buy these for Bluetooth/LDAC:

The reviewer claims the Bluetooth DAC chain is effectively dominated by the phone/receiver/headphones.
Using LDAC with compatible devices is said to land close to what you’d get using a phone.

Pros (explicitly praised)

Android flexibility at low cost (streaming + app installation)
Rotary volume control
Good build quality / packaging for the price (including manual and screen protector)
DSD 512 playback success on both units
Zishan P30: stronger technical performance + more wired power (especially balanced output)
Zishan P30 battery life: up to ~12 hours in the reviewer’s use case
Ergonomics and compact size

Cons / limitations (explicitly criticized)

AliExpress unknown-brand risk: unclear warranty/after-sales support; potential reliability concerns
Charging time: ~6–8 hours to fully charge (Android/older hardware noted as the cause)
Basic software experience: less polished/feature-rich than mainstream brands
Usability friction: small buttons; one button described as tiny for online loading/navigation
Streaming/app responsiveness caveat: Tidal may require extra taps due to perceived lag
Oil Sky lacks balanced output (3.5mm only)
USB dongle/OTG volume control limitation:
- Oil Sky: doesn’t properly register OTG / fails to communicate with dongles
- Zishan P30: works only in a USB exclusive mode; volume control depends on the app:
  - With HiBy Music, volume control behaves as expected
  - With Tidal, volume may stay at max (reviewer claims no independent volume control)

Numerical details / ratings mentioned

Price references: around $60–$70; key Zishan model about ~$70
Battery capacity (Zishan P30): 2,500 mAh
Battery runtime (reviewer tests):
- Zishan P30: ~12 hours
- Oil Sky: ~10 hours
Charging time: ~6–8 hours
DSD playback tested: DSD 512 1-bit
USB dongle behavior: described qualitatively (“no OTG” for Oil Sky; partial workable mode for Zishan P30)

Unique points mentioned (consolidated)

AliExpress has many DAP listings; reviewer chose uncommon/lesser-known brands.
Two Android DAPs ordered out of curiosity under $100.
Primary goal: install apps like Tidal/Spotify/Apple Lossless/FiiO/HiBy.
Zishan P30: Android 12; dual ES9018Q2M; balanced 4.4mm + 3.5mm; rotary volume; 3.4” TFT; 2,500 mAh; microSD; USB-C.
Oil Sky: Android 9; single ES9018Q2M; amp MAx97720; rotary volume; 3.5mm only; microSD; USB-C.
Packaging/build quality praised; includes manual and screen protector.
Both have good ergonomics; “Cayin-like” control feel.
Screen brightness problems outdoors.
Boot time: Android 9 faster than Android 12.
Basic UI/settings compared to mainstream Android/iOS-like DAP brands.
Battery runtime: ~12h (Zishan) vs ~10h (Oil Sky).
Both play DSD 512 native DSF successfully (no stutter).
Sound: Zishan more resolving/technical; Oil Sky warmer/more musical and less resolving.
Power: Zishan drives planars better due to balanced output.
Bluetooth/LDAC not recommended as a buying reason.
USB-C dongle limitation: Oil Sky doesn’t do OTG as desired; Zishan works in “USB exclusive mode,” and volume control depends on app.
Buying risk due to unknown brand and unclear warranty.
Charging takes long (~6–8 hours).

Speakers / multiple viewpoints

Only one reviewer voice is present in the subtitles; no clearly separated multi-speaker opinions.

Overall verdict / recommendation

Recommended if you want an under-$100 Android DAP with streaming app flexibility and strong wired performance—especially the Zishan P30 (balanced, more technical/resolving, ~12h battery).
Skip or be cautious with the Oil Sky if you need balanced output or reliable OTG/dongle volume control, since it’s more limited (3.5mm only, weaker power, OTG issues reported).
Big caveats: AliExpress/unknown-brand risk, slow charging, and a less polished Android UI compared to major brands.

AliExpress Budget DAP? Are They Good?

Key takeaways