[ClieOS]

Quote:

ClieOS could you please comment on my observations a few posts earlier. Thanks.

You have made a few posts on the last few pages and I am not sure which observation you want me to comment on. Burn-in? Flat EQ? vs. Rockboxed Clip / Fuze?
 

 

[s1rrah]

Quote:

They are basically the dame player besides the re-badging and different firmwares, basically the Same player.

I thought the S:flo 2 differed from the T51 in regards to potential storage. Is this true?

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

I thought the S:flo 2 differed from the T51 in regards to potential storage. Is this true?

S:flo2 goes up to 16GB while T51 only comes in 8GB. This is more to do with the fact that 16GB is harder to sell in China rather than any technical difference.

 

[s1rrah]

Quote:

S:flo2 goes up to 16GB while T51 only comes in 8GB. This is more to do with the fact that 16GB is harder to sell in China rather than any technical difference.

Thanks for that.
 
A previous poster was enquiring about the differences and in the replies, this somewhat important difference, was not mentioned. So ... thought I'd try to clarify. 16GB > 8GB ... at least for me. 
 
(then again, my digital music library weighs in at around 200 gig. ... LOL.
 
Rock.
 
.j

 

[AnAnalogSpirit]

Quote:

Theme can be modified if you look into Teclast forum. The one on S:flo2 is from MP4 Nation's forum, I believe.

Hi ClieOS,
 
Quick question: Do you happen to have a handy link for the right Teclast forum? I had a fairly difficult time navigating Teclast's homepage, even with Google Translate. If not, thanks anyway!

 

[ClieOS]

Here you go:
 
Teclast forum: http://www.teclast.com/bbs/forum.php
DAP related: http://www.teclast.com/bbs/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=4

 

[estreeter]

Not sure if it was timing, but the SFLO2/T51 seems to have ruffled a few feathers, particularly dfkt. Its interesting how we like to bang on about 'sound quality is my number one priority', but this player has been roundly criticised for:
 
- poor battery life (wouldn't worry me, but hey .. I'm familiar with the USB ports on my computer)
- crap firmware ('hello, Cowon, is that the help desk ? I seem to have bricked my J3...')
- usability issues ('hello, HeadDirect ? I cant seem to get playlists on this thing !')
 
I guess the perfect player hasnt been invented yet, but a compact FLAC player with dedicated line-out for less than $150 ? Surely that is way too good to be true ? 

 

 

[estreeter]

Talked myself into this. I look forward to pairing it with the ZO V2 when it finally ships - impressions to follow.
 

Teclast T51 Hi-Fi Quality 3.5 inch MP4 Player 8GB FREE In-ear R8 [IN STOCK] Item Number T-T51-8GB	$136.00 USD	1	$136.00 USD
Shipping Item Number Select Shipping Method - EMS	$22.00 USD	1	$22.00 USD

 

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

I guess the perfect player hasnt been invented yet..
 

Wait, isn't there a "RB'ed Clip+"?

 
Quote:

Talked myself into this. I look forward to pairing it with the ZO V2 when it finally ships - impressions to follow.

Just get a ZO a few days ago (hopefully will get here by early next week) and I am looking to compare it to ZO v2 by early next month as well.
 

 

[estreeter]

Quote:

Wait, isn't there a "RB'ed Clip+"?

 
 

 
Some people aren't turned on by the Clip/Clip+ the way most of Head-Fi is - I also find it hard to take when I see the markup Australian e-tailers have on the Sandisk players. Might be an interesting comparison review (T51/Clip+) with my forthcoming ESW9s 
 
Looking forward to your thoughts on ZO vs ZO V2 - will be a lot of gnashing of teeth if you find the differences anything less than 'Grand Canyon' in scope ! 

 

 

[AnAnalogSpirit]

Quote:

Here you go:
 
Teclast forum: http://www.teclast.com/bbs/forum.php
DAP related: http://www.teclast.com/bbs/forum.php?mod=forumdisplay&fid=4

Right ON! Thanks ClieOS! Much appreciated.

 

[AnAnalogSpirit]

Quote:

 
Some people aren't turned on by the Clip/Clip+ the way most of Head-Fi is - I also find it hard to take when I see the markup Australian e-tailers have on the Sandisk players. Might be an interesting comparison review (T51/Clip+) with my forthcoming ESW9s 
 
Looking forward to your thoughts on ZO vs ZO V2 - will be a lot of gnashing of teeth if you find the differences anything less than 'Grand Canyon' in scope ! 

 

Hi estreeter,
 
I've got the afforementioned items: Clip+ (and Fuze v2), s:flo2(16GB MP4Nation version of T51), and Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9A.
 
I only run the Clip+ w/ Rockbox. The Fuze I'll run Rockbox'ed or via FiiO L6 Sansa LOD to FiiO E11. The s:flo2 I tend to let just run out ot the HP Out. The ATH-ESW9A I've had for about a year, the s:flo2 is a replacement that I've had for about 4 months if I recall (the original first batch unit I had lasted quite a long time and had a very rare LCD issue that did not affect audio playback, and performed very well until said LCD hiccup), and the Fuze almost as long as the original s:flo2, the Clip+ about as long as the ATH-ESW9A's. So I'm familiar with these items.
 
To my ear, the Clip+ RB'ed and the Fuze RB'ed via HP Out sound very very alike. The benefits of one over the other are basically that with the Fuze you get an easier-on-the-eyes screen, bigger battery, wheel action, and you can use the LOD (either a diyLOD of your own making, or the FiiO L6). 
 
The Sansa players have to my perception a nice roughly spherical image (noticed with a range of headphones, not just the AT's) that is pleasing in resolution, size (soundstage), and body. I like that over some previously owned DAP's (the COWON O2 and S9) I can get the bass "blacker" and "stronger" on the Sansa players. The S9 doesn't have the blackest background or bass, sounding more like silvery graphite pencil than black charcoal. The O2 was much better, but used a different DAC & DSP than the S9.
 
Back to the items you're interested about...
 
The s:flo2 also has a nice and even, "round" stereo image. When I compare it to the Sansa' image, its larger (further out from center point, i.e. a larger sphere), of higher resolution (almost certainly to the dual mono setup of the WM8740's, each handling a seperate channel), and despite the "apparent" limited frequency response you see in the Custom EQ compared to what you can set with the Rockbox's Parametric EQ... The sound on the s:flo2 has a fuller sound, with a weightier bottom end ("flat" aka NORMAL EQ (on the device)). What I like about the s:flo2 is that it sounds more like a nice CD Player or piece of stereo equipment than "just a good DAP".
 
As for the ATH-ESW9A, I am very fond of its sound quality and characteristics. I sort-of agree with whomever said it sounds a bit like there's a tube amp strapped to the ESW9A's drivers. LOL! I also feel that they pair with the Sansa and s:flo2 players nicely.
 
Maybe this "report" isn't as technical as you're looking for, but having all the items you're interested in hearing about long enough to form an opinion about, I thought you might get some use out of it.
 
Side Note: My Dad, who got me interested in audio and stereo's when I was four or so (he had a nice Kenwood setup in the '80s) listened to the s:flo2 & ATH-ESW9A's with a FLAC rip (16-bit, 44,100kHz, flac-5) of Iron Maiden's "Inna Gadda Da Vita" remaster (single?, there were multiple versions of the famous track with mixes I'd never heard before) from his CD collection... Point of the story is he was impressed enough with the sound quality of them that he actually forbade me from ever selling them! 
 
Anyway, I thought we'd all get a chuckle out of that, so there you go.
 
Happy shopping.

 

[lc0756]

Does anyone know if the Sflo2 pairs better with the Stepdance or the 2Stepdance?  I have read that the Stepdance is more analytical while the 2Stepdance is more musical.  I probably can't go wrong with either amp I choose, but I am just wondering if there is one that would be the better match with Sflo2.  I am planning to use these with my DBA-02 which also has an analytical signature. 

 

[estreeter]

@flacVEST - thanks for the feedback. I had planned to write an extensive 'rig review' on the that combination,. but it seems that you have stolen my thunder. Ah, well, I guess I'll just have to throw the ZO V2 into the mix and see what emerges from the other end - chocolate syrup or molasses 

 

[ClieOS]

Quote:

Does anyone know if the Sflo2 pairs better with the Stepdance or the 2Stepdance?  I have read that the Stepdance is more analytical while the 2Stepdance is more musical.  I probably can't go wrong with either amp I choose, but I am just wondering if there is one that would be the better match with Sflo2.  I am planning to use these with my DBA-02 which also has an analytical signature. 

Yep, you probably won't go wrong with either (I have only S:flo2 + Stepdance). Though I am not too sure DBA-02 really needs that much amping.