Small, music only DAP.

I think since you want small and expandable memory, the only real option is the sansa clip+ and it has radio. It's also cheap so you can't really lose out, try it out see if you like it and if not sell it for a minor loss.  But, your options could increase if you could define how "small" you want the player to be.

If you're coming from an e280, I'd buy a Fuze from somewhere with a good return policy and see how you like it. If it's not up to par, maybe go for one of the lower end Sonys or Samsung. I really liked the SQ on the Fuze. I have a Clip+ that I'm having doubts about, sound-wise, but that experience is in the minority. The Fuze feels really nice in the hand; solid, simple, sleek, cheap. If you're happy with it, the small price will make it seem even nicer.

Just about all the players have some level of video function nowadays. Just get one that focuses on it the least, and forget it's there.

If the sansa e280 is only different from the e260 by internal memory size then either the clip+ or fuze would be better if that's the direction you want to go and not spend too much money. I did rockbox that player but I had lots of issues with it. First off it was not very powerful. When I had my E4 and E3 I had to turn the volume nearly all the way up to get decent listening levels. They hiss like crazy and I mean crazy..I have never heard more hiss from any player. They had a bass roll off which I did not like. They did have 24 hours of battery which I miss however.

The clip+ and fuze do not suffer from those issues as much. There is some hiss on some iem's but nowhere near the level of the e200 and it would be hard to notice. Both of them are more powerful than the e200. They don't have that roll off the e200 had. Although both of them do not have as good battery life I think it is worth the better quality than the e200.

I think the only thing that really fits the bill besides a few more obscure DAPs would have to the Sansa Clip+.

The varying negative reviews are mostly attributed to the "weak" output of the HO, but for general use and as long as you don't plan to drive and hard to drive 'phones you'll be fine.

They drive my Sennheiser HD 25's perfectly fine, albeit a bit quiet,  and sound great to my ears. Sure there is better sounding but not for the price and for how small they are they are hard to go past.

I also suggest you consider Rockboxing it.

If you think the clip+ is weak you haven't heard the e200 which is much worse imo

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

If you think the clip+ is weak you haven't heard the e200 which is much worse imo

Rawr, you mean to tell me if you max volume your Clip+ on your Coppers they become excrutiatingly unbearable?  They are more sensitive than my MD's but I can't imagine.

I don't have the Coppers atm but I just tried the M9 with the clip+ maxed out. I did not put them in my ears. From about 2 feet away I can easily say that I will not want anywhere close to that kind of volume if I value my hearing (which I do or this hobby would become more difficult). I use a bit more volume on the clip+ with the Coppers than my BA so it's a bit louder but still very unsafe listening levels.

edit: Also you can call me rawrster or just by my name Paulo :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawrster 

I don't have the Coppers atm but I just tried the M9 with the clip+ maxed out. I did not put them in my ears. From about 2 feet away I can easily say that I will not want anywhere close to that kind of volume if I value my hearing (which I do or this hobby would become more difficult). I use a bit more volume on the clip+ with the Coppers than my BA so it's a bit louder but still very unsafe listening levels.

 

LOL, I have the M9 also and they are seriously loud.  With my Zune30 + E5, I usually keep the E5 just below max volume and adjust volume on the Zune.  Volume of 3 out of 16 is comfortable, but 10 is approaching unbearable with the M9!
 

Anyway, I'm in a similar position as OP, looking for a mainly music, sometimes FM radio DAP with mSDHC expandability for a reasonable price.  About all that's available are the 8GB sizes of Clip+, Fuze, and maybe the S:Flo2.   The Cowon J3 is expandable, but the 8GB model is nearly $200 USD.

I've used my son's 8gb Fuze and it does a wonderful job at just playing music with good SQ and decent EQ, if you want to tweak it a bit (a 2-3 bump in the bass for my RE0!).

lol RawrSTER!
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmhaynes 

 

Anyway, I'm in a similar position as OP, looking for a mainly music, sometimes FM radio DAP with mSDHC expandability for a reasonable price.  About all that's available are the 8GB sizes of Clip+, Fuze, and maybe the S:Flo2.   The Cowon J3 is expandable, but the 8GB model is nearly $200 USD.

 

I've used my son's 8gb Fuze and it does a wonderful job at just playing music with good SQ and decent EQ, if you want to tweak it a bit (a 2-3 bump in the bass for my RE0!).

I got my 2gb Clip+ for $28 at the time.  Maybe that's why it doesn't get that loud or sound that great.    For the price and function its a great deal.  

id recommend the kenwood mg-f516

i have them and they beat my rockboxed ipod mini 1st version hands down

they also have 50 hours of battery life on a single charge

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2rooi123 

id recommend the kenwood mg-f516

i have them and they beat my rockboxed ipod mini 1st version hands down

they also have 50 hours of battery life on a single charge

Looks powerful.  No sd slot or lossless that I can see though.  I've been curious about the Hippo Gumstick too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anaxilus 

Looks powerful.  No sd slot or lossless that I can see though.  I've been curious about the Hippo Gumstick too.

there is a microsd expansion slot available up to 16gb

was suppose to go for gumstick but battery life is too short ust like sflo2

As has already been said, try the Fuze or the Clip+. They really are amazing, and not just for the price. But of course the price is a nice bonus.