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Was looking for a portable setup for $150

post #1 of 18
12/2/09 at 9:25am
Thread Starter 
Ok I am in the market for a mp3/video player. I was looking for something that doesnt have weak audio. I am also looking for a portable amp. I may be interested in building a Cmoy if it the best I can get in the price range. I am also looking for some decent ear buds. I am not looking to spend $150 on everything.

$150 on player
$50~ on ear buds
$50~on amp.


Any help would be appreciated.
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post #2 of 18
12/2/09 at 12:05pm
Thread Starter 
I went to best buy and bought the walkman NWZ S545 and some skullcandy headphones. I will post back after work what i think.
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post #3 of 18
12/2/09 at 1:59pm
My advice would have been to spend most of the money on the earphones, skip the amp, and get the cheapest player with great SQ that you can (e.g. Sansa Clip, Fuze). The resulting setup will be much better-sounding than anything you can come up with for your currently-planned budget.
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post #4 of 18
12/2/09 at 2:36pm
Spend 100 on the player (clip + sd card) and 150 on some used IEMs
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post #5 of 18
12/2/09 at 2:45pm
spend 50 or less on a player (sansa clip original with rockbox) then you've got 200 for IEMs. i've tried the westone um1's and hated them. phonak pfes and loved them, addiems are aight.

also think about upgradability. like you could get a used ipod nano for 50 bucks, then buy some 200usd IEMs, and later down the line get an amp, then later down the line get an ipod classic. with the clip, you really have no place to go (unless you want to amp up a hp out).
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post #6 of 18
12/2/09 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elliottwilliams View Post
spend 50 or less on a player (sansa clip original with rockbox) then you've got 200 for IEMs. i've tried the westone um1's and hated them. phonak pfes and loved them, addiems are aight.

also think about upgradability. like you could get a used ipod nano for 50 bucks, then buy some 200usd IEMs, and later down the line get an amp, then later down the line get an ipod classic. with the clip, you really have no place to go (unless you want to amp up a hp out).
Amping the HP line out of many portables sounds just as good as the line out of an iPod. It just depends on how clean the signal is coming from the HP out, and how good your amp is.
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post #7 of 18
12/2/09 at 9:55pm
Clip+ or Fuze = best source gear for the money.

Amp = others can offer more experienced opinions as I've never owned one (a small portable headphone amp, that is)

IEMs = should be the bulk of the available funds. Too many people buy audio equipment backwards; the speakers/earbuds/headphones are the most important aspect really - you can have the best source gear man can create but, if the device responsible for converting that audio to sound waves is crap, well... it's all crap.
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post #8 of 18
12/2/09 at 9:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carajean View Post
I went to best buy and bought the walkman NWZ S545 and some skullcandy headphones. I will post back after work what i think.
Did everyone else miss this post?
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post #9 of 18
12/2/09 at 10:30pm
Thread Starter 
actually im not impressed with it so i will be returning it tomrow.
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post #10 of 18
12/2/09 at 10:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by carajean View Post
actually im not impressed with it so i will be returning it tomrow.
Good idea.
I'd consider ordering your IEMs online since big-box electronics retailers rarely have anything good (and/or good value), and even when they do it's substantially marked-up.
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post #11 of 18
12/2/09 at 10:39pm
I would recommend a Cowon S9 for the player, if you want good SQ.

Newegg.com - COWON S9 3.3" 8GB MP3 / MP4 Player
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post #12 of 18
12/2/09 at 10:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bcpk View Post
Did everyone else miss this post?
Nah, we didn't miss it, I'm just guessing most didn't want to toss out their opinions on *cough*SkullCr--errr... SkullCandy*choke* equipment. Obviously, if the Sony or any DAP/PMP is paired with those rather horrendous transducers sheer calamity ensues.
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post #13 of 18
12/3/09 at 12:01am
The sony player was fine, although if you're not going to use the external speakers, you should pick up an E series 16 gb model as it sounds the same as the S series. I also think you need to upgrade your earbuds a little bit. Maybe find some JVC IEM's? They're pretty easy to find retail side. I find Ink'd to sound pretty grainy and metallic in the highs with some overpowering mid-bass, but that's just me.

I'm sure we could help you find a pair that would fit budget and desired sound qualities.

-Nylan
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post #14 of 18
12/3/09 at 7:11am
With USD 159, You can buy AMP3 pro2 and get every thing you want ,say, a decent DAP, amp And a hifi earbud. Please check the forum on it's comments or reviews.
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post #15 of 18
12/3/09 at 8:26am
Thread Starter 
Ok the amp3 pro one is really ugly and bulky looking. The lack of a good color lcd screen is a turn off also. Im gonna keep the sony player and return the buds and just use my dt770's till i can find some decent buds.

With the mention of my dt770 I do not want to spend more than say $70 on buds, cause if i misplace them or break them ( which is likely since I will be using them on the go all the time) I would be PISSED. I will look at the cowan s9 but its kinda expensive for a 16gb. The good things about getting players from BB is I can return the for free. Newegg or any other place I cant, this goes for the buds also.

So if anyone has any recommendations on some retail buds that I can try I would appreciate that. If there is a pair on the retail side that sounds like a pair I can only get online I will buy retail and if I like them buy online.

Yes I do use the speakers at work in the office for me an my co workers. I use to use my Tmobile G1 but my battery goes to crap after only so long of music listening.
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