Need opinions from those who own the s:flo2

Hi lazybum,

I'll add some point numbers to your quoted message then answer them. I'm a batch one owner of the s:flo2, and i've got two of em.. (in case one breaks). Yeah I like the SQ obviously.

Ok here goes...

Here _I_ Go with the responses! LOLzie:

1) Adequate. Its nice and utilitarian. Bigish "buttons", in corners... a smallish but still usable, time "seek" strip..., EQ selector, A-B, Loop, Shuffle controls, as well as Settings access button, back and forward arrows...

2) Major issues for me is tha back and forward arrows go just back or forward to next track. dumbly. not the fancy way of back to start of track then a extra tap for back to previous track. Thats just an implementational issue, and a fancy-ness ppl take for granted these days. its a implementation assumption these days, not a flaw. Next up is the lack of hand off or directory to directory to directory play through. I personally wish and hope this gets changed in a future firmware alteration.

3) Not in Firmware 2.00 of the plain Teclast or the 2.00 of the modified by maderin1 Pure & Simple theme aka Nationite variety (skinned).

4) Yes.

5) Nope. Not really. Some folks had card instability introduced from 1.10 firmware to the 1.20, this is fixed with 2.00 firmware of both flavours or themes...

6) Not on either of my s:flo2's. but I can only speak for my two batch one units. Please other folks, weigh in! :-D

7) Well the major improvements are the All File playlist... it aggregates "all files" into a global playlist and plays through them... And if you install the maderin1 modified Pure & Simple Themed version, you get the official nationite s:flo2 startup & shutdown animations, and a light and dark theme that are just gorgeous.

8) RE: Japanese font, I dont read it, and dont know how to recognize it from the font options, I hope a Japanese character reading user who has an s:flo2 can weigh in for ya...

9) Not I. I'm quite wowed by the sucker... I'm actually one of the "Happy as Hell with the s:flo2 ppl"

10) i use Velcro, the Industrial 2" strip variety of hook & loop... i use carpet on my amp/dac's namely my iBasso D10 Cobra with the s:flo2, or a Practical Devices XM4... but i digress... and then the hook plastic down the back of the (i know its so pretty i hate covering that purdy metal!!!) but utility.. alas.. back of the s:flo2.... and they cinch together like glue. Then you just rrrrrrip apart when done. No harm done. No damages.

Bombard away... LOL

Youre Welcome BTW!

The second player they sent me has problems playing some FLAC files.

MP4 Nation keep insisting that my files are corrupt, but I have no problem with my clip+ at all.

I would say, wait for my third returned player, and I will update the stability and performance of the second batch in a week or two.

If you can't wait, just go ahead and take a chance. That is if SQ is the most important attribute to you above all else...

The s:flo 2 doesn't sound better than the Clip to my ears, and i made a blind test to confirm that. On the other hand i guess it would probably drive fullsize headphones better than the Sansa thanks to the output power.

I had an s:flo2, after the initial wow factor had died on me I returned to my Cowon D2+ with Rockbox.

It's funny, we all hear different things. I think the S:flo2 sounds better with both HO and LO than the clip+. With my cable and Ibasso T3 the LO, S:flo2 sounds maybe 10% better.

But when it comes to UI and stability S:flo2 is a pain in the ass... Also,.. I kept having problems with the previous two players I got: (

What's the size of your problematic FLAC files? One person said his T51 had trouble with big size wav and ape, only one person said so; but I assume it could happen to you.

Yep!

Yep, I always rip my FLAC slowest with the highest quality: ) Still,.. that's the fault of S:flo2. Why can't I decide to use the highest quality possible. I am now waiting for a new player from MP4Nation. Hopefully I won't face the same problem.

Maybe you have a fullsize headphone? I can't really compare with the LO, it wouldn't be fair for the Clip

i have T51 not the Sflo2, but i think its no problem to share opinion
i love the overall sound quality especially the LO , i prefer the LO of T51 than ipod touch, i feel the signal is cleaner. Power is big .
what i complain about the sound quality is only in the bass Frequency, which is not enough quantity (not quality). The EQ and PlayFx are also not as good as DNSe of Samsung.

Non audio related: low battery life (8 hours) , many bugs/often freeze, plastic build , the screen doesnt have good resolution , volume analog, etc

Yeah power is huge, just as much as my home cd player through my Stax rig. I also have a Vaio Pocket whose line out needs 50% more volume. I think SQ is a bit better with the s:flo but not by a wide margin.

I thought the playFx settings sounded awful, it sounded best in Normal mode.