[GustavMahler]

Please help my find my perfect DAP! Let me sum up my requirments:
1) Neutral, Natural balanced sound for classical music, To use with my ATH-M40X.
2) Gapless-No gap between tracks.
3) Supports 64GB/128GB sd with formatting or without-Preferably without track number limit.
4) Max price is 350$-Preferably less. Expensive only if it really makes a difference.

 

[lithrai]

I think you don't have many options. Look at FiiO X3 or iBasso DX50.

 

[GustavMahler]

Why not the cowon J3? 

 

[Retrias]

its pne of the furthest thing from neutral, then again so is the x3

 

[GustavMahler]

Is the DX90/DX50 neutral and detailed?

 

[H20Fidelity]

Well, I'm back in the Cowon J3 game, I'd been keeping my eye out and picked up a 16gb version for a good price again. It will be interesting revisiting the J3 with some of my new IEM. Very handy they're still floating around.

 

[Catan]

To this day, there has yet to be a PMP with the portability, battery life, sound quality, and feature set that matches the J3, even from Cowon. 

 

[H20Fidelity]

To this day, there has yet to be a PMP with the portability, battery life, sound quality, and feature set that matches the J3, even from Cowon. 

I'm interested how my Sony NWZ-F806 is going to fair next to this J3. Let's find out.

 

[fallingreason]

  To this day, there has yet to be a PMP with the portability, battery life, sound quality, and feature set that matches the J3, even from Cowon. 

The Sony NWZ-A17 has all the features I want and use on the J3. If file transfer speeds are faster, I'd consider it a step up, but I have no need to replace my J3 at the moment.

 

[St4rchild]

Best MP3 Player IMO. I own it for 3 years and still works without problem! Good sound quality and awesome battery life. My rating is 10/10!

 

[H20Fidelity]

For those ever interested in replacing thier J3 battery it's a very simple process using a Sony BA700 battery. All that's required is some basic soldering skills and a piece of sand paper to take about 1mm of the bottom of the battery casing (plastic) (so it fits) I recently changed mine. If anyone wants further information just send me a PM anytime.

But do not worry, a trip to Korea is not required.

 

[Mython]

Glad it worked out OK for you, H20Fidelity!

 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/713735/x7-the-flagship-dap-from-fiio-updated-on-15-12-2014/1785#post_11151939

 

[H20Fidelity]

Glad it worked out OK for you, H20Fidelity!


http://www.head-fi.org/t/713735/x7-the-flagship-dap-from-fiio-updated-on-15-12-2014/1785#post_11151939

We should make up a little guide, (searchable thread) but I don't want to open back up for the photo's.

A tutorial.

 

[Mython]

Not really much to it, though, is there? LOL
 
 
The hardest bit is obtaining a genuine BA700 battery, and not a rubbish copy.
 
After that, just:
 
 
1) remove the microSD card
 
2) remove the back panel
 
3) desolder the old battery, leaving the wires still soldered to the DAP circuitboard
 
4) sand the plastic from the bottom of the new BA700 battery, being extremely careful not to damage the cell itself (the plastic is barely 1mm thick!)
 
5) solder the new battery to the old wires
 
6) Screw the back panel on
 
7) re-insert the microSD card
 
8) charge fully (do not be impatient - it is important to fully charge a new lithium battery before using it for the first time)
 
9) switch the DAP on
 
10) listen to some music!

 

 
 
Credit to 'jotatsu' at iaudiophile.net, for identifying BA700 as an ideal candidate battery

 
 
.

 

[H20Fidelity]

Yup, and here's a utube guide to open the J3.

http://youtu.be/e7BF1WjeZ-U