Yet Another Flac player question (coupled with SE530)

[google741]

HI All

My IAudio M5 died yesterday and I’ve been searching this forum forever for the BEST sounding (I don't care about other features) to work with my Shure SE530.

I’m looking for large capacity preferably HD to replace the M5 (that it didn't sound good by the way). It must play FLAC (I don't mind Modding the thing for FLAC playback) my CD’s entirely ripped to FLAC.
I really want it to sound amazing.

Any ideas?

[FrederikS|TPU]

You could go for the Cowon D2 with a high capacity SDHC card. That way you can get a 24 GB player. If you want even greater capacity you could go for a 5.5 gen iPod and then rockbox it for FLAC support. By doing that it will greatly decrease the battery life.

As far as sound quality goes straight out of the box the Cowon players will kill the iPod, but if you get a nice LOD and a amp then you can probably get a really good sound quality from the iPod.

[google741]

Originally Posted by FrederikS|TPU

As far as sound quality goes straight out of the box the Cowon players will kill the iPod, but if you get a nice LOD and a amp then you can probably get a really good sound quality from the iPod.

FrederikS, thanks for the quick reply.

Sorry for the ignorance but what is LOD? And can you recommend an AMP too?
Another thing, wouldn't it be too bulky? I have to carry it around, not for jogging but for walking around. The M5 size and weight was perfect.
Thanks again.

[Rob E.]

Originally Posted by google741

Sorry for the ignorance but what is LOD?
Another thing, wouldn't it be too bulky? I have to carry it around, not for jogging but for walking around.

LOD : Line Out Dock.

[FrederikS|TPU]

LOD = Line out dock. Google it
Well for portability you should probably get one of the newer Cowons. A iPod + amp is a bit too big for my liking. When it comes to amps you should probably make a thread in the amplifier forum. An amp does not make a huge difference as long as you are using normal earbuds or in-ears, however, if you plan on using big cans or Yuin PK1s you should probably get one. Even the smaller Cowons can drive most cans fairly well. If you want excellent sound quality in a small package you should definitely get one of the new Cowon players.

[google741]

It’s decided then; I’ll go with Cowon D2 and SDHC card. Thanks for the quick replay. I’m going to come back and report my findings regarding the SQ

[FrederikS|TPU]

That is great. Looking forward to reading your impressions!

[google741]

I just received the Cowon D2, wow it’s so small and it looks fabulous.
I’m going to listen for a while and I’ll write my report soon

[xenochimera]

haha cowon d2=awesomeness. i am plesantly suprised at their products, the u3 and now the d2. so small but packs a nice punch.

[robojack]

Originally Posted by FrederikS|TPU

LOD = Line out dock. Google it
An amp does not make a huge difference as long as you are using normal earbuds or in-ears, however, if you plan on using big cans or Yuin PK1s you should probably get one. Even the smaller Cowons can drive most cans fairly well. If you want excellent sound quality in a small package you should definitely get one of the new Cowon players.

I disagree, adding an amp will actually warm up the sound (which some people complain is too cold), even with IEMs, and in addition, it reduces the inherent sibilance that's found in the D2.

[google741]

Originally Posted by robojack

I disagree, adding an amp will actually warm up the sound (which some people complain is too cold), even with IEMs, and in addition, it reduces the inherent sibilance that's found in the D2.

But doesn't it just add another filter to the sound, and by doing that you just loosing quality?

[robojack]

That's the theory, but in practice, a good amp will not noticeably reduce sound quality. I'm using the RSA Tomahawk, and have not noticed ANY reduction in quality whatsoever.

[google741]

Okay, I think I’m ready to write my impressions for the Cowon D2 player I bought with Frederik recommendation.

One thing is apparent when moving from the M5 to the D2: the flashy LCD screen, the compact size, the fact that you can add SDHC card and increase the storage size to as much as twice as the size of my old player and in half the size. Progress in flash memory industry is a blessing for MP3 players.

But, I didn’t buy this player to play videos nor I bought it for all the LCD and all the sound filters gimmicks. I bought it for the sheer sound quality and the powerful amp Cowon know for.

I compared the Cowon to the computer sound (Juli@ hooked to and old NAD 705 with SE530 connected to the phones output).

One thing is amazingly clear when you first listen to the Cowon (flat no filters), it is very bright almost too bright, but detailed and powerful. When listening to Radiohead’s “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi” (flak CD rip) in the first few seconds the treble dominated, compared to the NAD where the treble is a bit subtle (the NAD natural coloration maybe?) the Cowon on the other hand is much more detailed, and the bass is more crispy, the NAD is warmer and easier to listen at higher volume. The mid and Thom York’s voice in the D2 is cold and emotionless.

Moving to Etta James’s “At Last” though the bass is nice; again the coldness in Etta’s voice is apparent. Connecting the D2 headphones output (no line out) to one of the NAD input and listening, the sound gets warmer but losses the details (so it is the NAD coloration).

Listening to Cake’s “Frank Sinatra” again the details is amazing, the bass is deep the treble is clear but the sound cold. Compared to the NAD sound the D2 is more forward-sounding.

Conclusion: in my humble listening test, lacking a real way to compare. The D2 did well. I did compare it to a home receiver that was considered a good at its time. I had no way to compare it to the Juli@ as there is no headphones output.

I did like the detail, the power (2x 34mW), the interface, through my SE530 the D2 revealed more sound and was very clear, the sound stage was also good. However as I have seen in other posts the Cowon D2 amp is cold sounding.

Still, I’ve found the player very enjoying and I’m happy with my decision to go with Frederik recommendation, It’s a potable player after all. thanks for that Frederik

If you have any question, if you have more tests for me to try, if you have any ideas, please, post

[FrederikS|TPU]

Sweet! Glad you liked the Cowon D2. I wouldn't say the D2 is cold it is just analytical whereas some other DAPs are quite warm sounding. If you want to warm it up you could add a little bass in the custom EQ or increase the amount of BBE.

Cheers,
Frederik