Advanced MP3 Players (AMP3)

Advanced MP3 Players: independent hi-res audio retail since 2001

Advanced MP3 Players, which trades as AMP3, describes itself as an independent specialist in portable and desktop audio. The company states that it has been operating since 2001 and presents its activity around digital audio players, headphones and earphones, amplifiers and DACs, home audio and accessories. Its catalogue is organised by product family and also by price band, with ranges under £250, between £250 and £500, and between £500 and £1,000 for players, and comparable brackets for headphones and amplification.

The business is operated by Advanced Players Ltd, with its headquarters listed at Suite 1 Alexander House, Eskmills Business Park, Station Road, Musselburgh, Midlothian. The site presents itself as a UK operation and quotes prices in pounds sterling.

Digital audio players at the core of the catalogue

Portable players form the central line of the shop. The range is divided into Android-based players, dedicated music players and premium models, and includes high-resolution devices. Among the products highlighted on the site are the FiiO M25 R2R Pro, a portable player built around a resistor-ladder DAC; the FiiO M21 Android player; the iBasso DX270 R2R Ultra, which the company presents with a fully differential eight-channel R2R DAC and a 130 dB dynamic range; and the INNIOASIS Y1, a player with a classic click wheel, up to 128 GB of storage, Bluetooth and a claimed battery life of up to 35 hours.

The catalogue also covers more affordable dedicated players, such as the FiiO Snowsky Echo Mini and Echo models, and a cassette player, the FiiO CP13. Prices shown at the time of writing ranged from £49.99 for the Snowsky Echo Mini to £1,099.99 for the FiiO M25 R2R Pro.

Headphones, in-ear monitors and personal listening

The headphones and earphones section is organised into over-ear headphones, wireless headphones, in-ear monitors, wireless earbuds and earbuds, with brands including FiiO, HIFIMAN, DUNU and Audio-Technica. Featured items included the FiiO FT15 over-ear headphones and the FiiO FH3 in-ear monitors. The store groups these products by budget as well, with bands under £100, between £100 and £500, and above £500.

DACs, amplifiers and home audio

For amplification and conversion, AMP3 lists portable DACs and amps, USB dongle DACs, desktop DACs and amps, Bluetooth DACs and amps, and Bluetooth receivers and transmitters. Brands named in this area include FiiO, Shanling, iBasso and Cayin. Examples in the catalogue are the FiiO K13 desktop DAC and amplifier with dual ES9039Q2M DACs, the FiiO K7 DAC/amp and the iBasso AMP19 amplifier card for the DX340.

The home audio section extends the offer to streamers, CD players, CD transports, speakers and turntables. Products cited include the Cayin ID6 streamer, DAC and headphone amplifier, the FiiO DM15 CD player with a 24-bit R2R DAC and the FiiO DP11 desktop CD player. Audio-Technica appears here as well, including a turntable cartridge, the AT-VM95E.

Accessories and clearance stock

A separate accessories category covers cables and adapters, cases and covers, ear tips, stands and storage, and memory cards, with brands such as FiiO, Audio-Technica, iBasso and SanDisk. The shop also runs a clearance and open-box section in which the condition of each unit is stated on the listing. Examples shown included a FiiO M17 player missing all cables and stand, an Audio-Technica cartridge in damaged packaging and an iBasso DX240 player, each with its own discount against the new price.

Advice, delivery and after-sales terms

The company presents itself as offering advice from staff rather than automated recommendations, and states that it provides free next-day UK delivery on eligible orders over £50. It also advertises free returns within 14 days for any reason and 30 days for faulty items, and a Price Beat option on product pages for customers who find a better price elsewhere. A trade and distribution line and an affiliate programme are also listed among its services.

The site cites press coverage of specific products, with scores attributed to publications such as What Hi-Fi?, Trusted Reviews, Headfonics, Headfonia and Ear Fidelity, and states that it is rated Excellent on Trustpilot by its customers.