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Best DAP for use with LOD+Amp+HD650's

post #1 of 18
3/6/10 at 9:15pm
Thread Starter 
I have been searching through this forum looking for advice on a Digital Audio Player that has the best sound quality. It is difficult, as not everyone is using a line out, or an amp, or headphones that require a lot of power.

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD650's, and I am ordering the Headroom Portable Micro Amp on Monday. I currently have an 8GB iphone 3G, and was considering just using that with the sendstation portable line out dock.
I was then thinking that I would just buy a 16GB nano so that it is more compact, and separate from my phone. Someone posted about the 3GS having great sound. Is that better than the 3G? How does the nano 5th Gen and the 3G compair in sound quality, via line out?

I was reading about the Cowon S9 and i9 and they are really nice and have great reviews, but I could not find out if they have a line out dock option, or mod.

So, what do you guys think? I am on a budget of around $200.00 and I do not need a huge capacity as I dont mind switching up my music. I will be using either apple lossless or FLAC, depending on the brand of player I purchase.

Or should I just stick to my iPhone 3G and use that money for some quality HD650 cable replacements...Cardas perhaps?

Thanks!
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post #2 of 18
3/6/10 at 9:30pm
The S9 (and presumably the i9) do not have a line out, unfortunately. I've amped my headphone out on my S9 which works OK but not ideal, obviously. I've noticed that there have been a number of iMods and diyMods in the FS, you may be able to pick one up for around $200 dollars.

Other than that, all I can say is don't waste your money on cable "upgrades".

EDIT: To clarify, even the people who do believe that cable upgrades make an audible difference (and this a matter of quite some debate and not a fact) would suggest that upgrading cables is pretty much the last thing you do.
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post #3 of 18
3/6/10 at 9:31pm
I've heard a few people using the Caffeine amp with amazing results out of their HD 650's, get a Sansa Fuze as your DAP, as you could always increase its capacity and buy a nice LOD.
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post #4 of 18
3/6/10 at 9:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Other than that, all I can say is don't waste your money on cable "upgrades".
If I bought a replacement cable for HD650's, for like 16 bucks, and cut it down to a portable length, do you think I'll lose anything, audio quality-wise?
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post #5 of 18
3/6/10 at 11:29pm
where would you get a replacement hd650 cable for $16? i don't think such a thing exists
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post #6 of 18
3/7/10 at 12:44am
From Sennheiser themselves. I saw a dude selling his HD580 with 650 grills and 650 cable. The grills were like $15 and cable $16/$17.
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post #7 of 18
3/7/10 at 12:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kunalraiker View Post
I've heard a few people using the Caffeine amp with amazing results out of their HD 650's, get a Sansa Fuze as your DAP, as you could always increase its capacity and buy a nice LOD.
So the Fuze+LOD will sound better than my iphone 3G or 5th gen nano+LOD?
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post #8 of 18
3/7/10 at 1:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike8585 View Post
So the Fuze+LOD will sound better than my iphone 3G or 5th gen nano+LOD?
Most here will agree that the Fuze sounds better than the ipod( any model), My daughter has a 4th gen that sits in her drawer since i got her a Sansa clip, which sounds the same as the Fuze.She prefers the sound of the clip to the Ipod. Cheers
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post #9 of 18
3/7/10 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike8585 View Post
If I bought a replacement cable for HD650's, for like 16 bucks, and cut it down to a portable length, do you think I'll lose anything, audio quality-wise?
Well, you certainly won't lose anything in terms of SQ unless your workmanship is really shoddy and you can't make a good solder connection.
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post #10 of 18
3/7/10 at 7:57pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mesasone View Post
Well, you certainly won't lose anything in terms of SQ unless your workmanship is really shoddy and you can't make a good solder connection.
Great, I can do that no problem. What about choice of interconnects? While I have the 1/4" cut off, I might as well replace it with a 1/8" one for portable use. Any recommendations?

Oh, and for the fuze, how do I get a LineOut?

Thanks!
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post #11 of 18
3/8/10 at 6:34pm
S:flo2. Dedicated line out port. Sounds amazing.
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post #12 of 18
3/9/10 at 12:07am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Young Spade View Post
S:flo2. Dedicated line out port. Sounds amazing.
WOW, I am ready reviews and this is exactly what I was looking for. I didn't know it existed. Had never heard of it. I am definitely going to pick this one up.

Thanks!
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post #13 of 18
3/9/10 at 12:10am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spike8585 View Post
WOW, I am ready reviews and this is exactly what I was looking for. I didn't know it existed. Had never heard of it. I am definitely going to pick this one up.

Thanks!
That's what I'm talking about man. You can either get the Teclast 51 or the s:flo2 as they are the same players with different branding (same internals and update files).

The battery life isn't that great BUT if you're keeping it home you probably won't be too far from a charger every 8 hours at least.

But yea man, I have it feeding to my RSA Tomahawk through the line out and it sounds amazing. Without A/B testing I am definitely hearing a lot more detail with songs than with my Fuze or iPod Nano 5G.
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post #14 of 18
3/9/10 at 1:25am
Thread Starter 
Great. I just preordered the 16GB S:flo2. The name is catchier than T51.
Im sure my portable amp I also ordered today will have the around the same batter life.
The S:flo2+Headroom Portable Micro Amp+Senn HD-650...humn...Cant wait!!!
Appreciate the heads up on this player. Almost bought a Fuze.
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post #15 of 18
3/9/10 at 1:26am
No problem man. You won't regret it Oh and I'd suggest you check the firmware when you get it and update it to 2.00. Mine shipped with 2 and it's pretty stable; only crashed on me once.
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