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Small player with good sound quality?

post #1 of 28
8/29/09 at 9:33pm
Thread Starter 
Hello!

I'm looking for a small player (like iPod Shuffle) with good sound quality. If I won't find something intresting then I'll get the iPod, but I'm looking for alternatives as I've heard iPod's quality is mediocre.

I have heard many good things about Cowon and Sony Walkman players but they are kinda rare (even at eBay!).

So are there any small mp3 players with good quality?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 28
8/29/09 at 9:49pm
Cowon players have great sound quality, as well as Sony players. Strange you say you can't find those players at eBay (I bought all my Cowons and my brother's Sony player there).

If size is a concern (smaller is better), you can try the Sansa Clip. Rather easy to find, cheap, sounds great and you don't need proprietary software to load your tunes into it (it works like a thumb drive).
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post #3 of 28
8/29/09 at 10:20pm
Why are you not looking at the AMP3, this player is small and shuffle like in its use and the sound quality leaves the aforementioned players somewhere away in the far distance, the easiest way to describe it is to say that other players become unusable due to their inferior sound. Check the threads and there is an improved model coming out though I am perfectly happy with mine the way it is you can get something better!!
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post #4 of 28
8/29/09 at 10:45pm
AMP3 is worth for you to have a try. It has a lot creations to make it become the new generation DAP standard: superior sound quality DAP+ amazing AMP function+ hifi stock earphones+good FM radio+ longest playing time battery+ reasonal price( $149).

Also as Ulsanman pointed out two month ago, AMP3 is a hifi grade Shuffle which has the very similar operation UI.
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post #5 of 28
8/29/09 at 10:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chaos Proxy View Post
Hello!

I'm looking for a small player (like iPod Shuffle) with good sound quality. If I won't find something intresting then I'll get the iPod, but I'm looking for alternatives as I've heard iPod's quality is mediocre.

I have heard many good things about Cowon and Sony Walkman players but they are kinda rare (even at eBay!).

So are there any small mp3 players with good quality?

Thanks!


Currently, I recommend a shortlist for your selection according to your requirement of best sound quality DAP

HIFIMAN
SONY X
AMP3
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post #6 of 28
8/29/09 at 11:09pm
Right now, as should be obvious from this thread, the AMP3 is the buzz. I would caution you though, that since the AMP3 is very new, not to throw all caution to the wind. I feel guilty that I've thrown my hat into the ring for an AMP3 Pro2, but I know that I am taking a risk (and the risk itself is kind of fun for me).

There is not a lot of information about this player, and certainly nothing long-term (that is, no one has had it long enough to be able to say how well it endures after say, a year). It's just what everyone is taking about right now, and your chance to get on the ground floor with it.

With regards to apple sound quality... I would say it's in your best interests to find a friend with an ipod (shouldn't be too hard) and decide for yourself if it's good enough or not. Keep in mind what you're using this for, and how much money you really want to spend on portable SQ (which is far more expensive) over home SQ (which you'll get more bang for your buck with). There is a lot of snobbery you're going to have to filter thru in order to find the truth about what really sounds better, and what is just people being brand loyal/excitable.

That said, try as many different players as you can, and if you have difficulty doing that, make sure the people you take advice from have tried many different players.
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post #7 of 28
8/29/09 at 11:30pm
Don't buy AMP3 yet, wait for OTHER reviews.
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post #8 of 28
8/30/09 at 12:24am
^ Many people already have the AMP3 pro1 and there are many reviews in the AMP3 thread..
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post #9 of 28
8/30/09 at 1:01am
Quote:
Originally Posted by koven View Post
^ Many people already have the AMP3 pro1 and there are many reviews in the AMP3 thread..
Really? The same 5 persons aggressively pushed it every chance they had (even in other not-so-related threads). Don't get me wrong, I checked Whiplash Audio, I like what they carry. It maybe the best player ever - but, wait, wait for other reviews.
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post #10 of 28
8/30/09 at 1:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by david1978jp View Post
Really? The same 5 persons aggressively pushed it every chance they had (even in other not-so-related threads). Don't get me wrong, I checked Whiplash Audio, I like what they carry. It maybe the best player ever - but, wait, wait for other reviews.
Not bad advice. But while you are waiting, you could be burning it in. After 400 hours, you'll like it. In fact, why don't you buy one, burn it in, and write your own review? Would help others decide.

People who have aggressively pushed it just happen to love its sound, especially when it gets into the 400+ hour plateau and beyond. Nothing wrong with that, right?
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post #11 of 28
8/30/09 at 2:13am
Yes you are correct wait for other reviews of the AMP3 player I mean the five of us who have been enthusing wildly over the AMP3 saying it is the best thing we have heard in years and really if you seek Head Fi in the true sense of the word then get this are really only trying to give information on what we find is an incredible player to the members out there, sure if you wait there will be others who will tell you the opposite, there always are that is part of life's rich pageant, but believe me I'm 57, this is the best player I have ever heard, like all things sonic this is a subjective opinion and all opinion on matters sonic are per se subjective, my only advice to you is to consider the AMP3, why this advice should be downgraded by the member who thinks that other reviews are necessary I don't know I'm not telling you to buy it!!
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post #12 of 28
8/30/09 at 2:23am
The sansa clip should be the first recommendation. Almost as small as the shuffle and great SQ. It also has a screen.
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post #13 of 28
8/30/09 at 3:20am
Sansa clip easily. Amazing prize, great size (bout size of 2nd gen shuffle) and has a screen. SQ is apparantly one of the best in mainstream retail. I would also suggest the Nationite Nanite. It's about the size of 2 3rd generation ipod shuffles (stunningly small), has an OLED screen, and has almost 40 hours of playback from 2 hours of charging! Uses a sigma soundchip i think, so SQ is not as good as the sansa clip.
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post #14 of 28
8/30/09 at 3:28am
Sansa Clip , Amp3 (one of the best for Sound Quality right now, but poor UI)
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post #15 of 28
8/30/09 at 4:24am
Why not just get a Shuffle - 1st Gen?
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