MP3 Player + IEM

i think it would be better if you give more info. Like your budget, preferences in music.

Yes, how much money do you have?

Just out of curiosity, what don't you like about the Creative x-fi2?

Hi,
I have had the same problem for a while. First of all I bought the Westone UM3x(260 euro), which are in my opinion very neutral. After that I searched a whole month for the perfect mp3 player. I couldn't find anything! I have been thinking about a sony X, but a bit too expensive and not enough memory. After I got tired of all that searching I bought myself a new apple ipod classic 160gig. The only source I use is WAV and I think it sounds perfect for me. I also listen to music as Dream Theater, Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, Beatles, Pink Floyed which sounds perfect.
Gr. Tjeerd

Just get a Clip+ and spend the rest on the IEM

DAP like Sflo2, AMP3 Pro, Sony X, S9, P3 and the IEM like Sennheiser IE8, IE7, JVC FX500, Sony EX700 and Klipsch Image X10. But i think Sony X1050 + EX700 will best combo and Sflo2 + IE8 will be even better........

Do you need the video features of the S9? If you're only going for sound, an iAudio 7 is the same thing at about half the price, freeing up some funds for a better set of headphones.

My IEM knowledge is about three years out of date for the most part, but the vast majority of IEMs outside of the custom-molded ones I've found so far involve some sort of sonic compromise, and picking the IEM that works for you is more a matter of what compromises you can live with. A thoroughly balanced IEM that does nearly everything right in a universal-fit form doesn't really exist. A Westone 3 can do that if the fit is right, but the majority of people can't get a good fit and have to put up with recessed mids, boomy bass, and shrill highs. I use the UM3x at the moment, and its compromises are definitely ones that I can live with - slightly recessed highs, forward mids, and slightly odd bass tone. The last one does drive me mad at times but on the move, I don't care as much about absolute quality, acceptable is enough. Otherwise I'd have a JH13 by now.

Don't set your sights too high, what you want costs a lot more than what you're willing to spend (JH13, ES3x, and the like). Pick something you can live with and pay the minimum you need for that. Also buy from a place with a return policy; IEMs really depend on fit and you have to see for yourself if you can get a good fit. Jumping in on a good deal may be tempting but if you can't get a good fit you're going to be trying to sell it in the F/S forum here and that can be frustrating.

I think you should keep the Zen Xfi2, and just invest in a nice set of iems. From what I have heard the XFi2 is a decent sounding DAP. This would allow you to spend more on some high end iems. UM3X should be nice, or IE8, TF10. The TF10s are a great deal right now, as you can find them for 180 on ebay, or 197 on Amazon. If fit is an issue you can turn them into customs, essentially making them into sub $300 UE-11s.

catscratch: you should try the PFEs someday, they're very balanced (similar to a Lambda with smoother mids and deeper bass) and fast. Actually i went stats because of the PFEs, based on chi2's advice (he finds them similar to Lambdas as well).