Best overall DAP/PMP out in the market now?

Touchy interface and low battery life makes the T51 hard to say it's the best.  However, unlike other DAPs it does have a real dedicated line out input.  I would say cowon J3 or other cowon would be one of the best.

Hmm the topic title is miss-leading in my opinion. Best at what? Are you only talking about SQ or worrying about other things?

I think the best three sounding DAPs on the market today would have to be the HiFiMan HM-801 -> iMod (Depending on the rest of the set up) -> s:flo2. If you start including other things that changes very quickly but when talking solely about SQ that's how I think it would go.

haha, well I guess if you got the cash HM801 is the way to go.  I don't know if the T51 is better or equal to the cowons.

From what I've read the s:flo2 leaves the Cowon's sounding lifeless and boring. I can't remember the exact words but I know of at least one situation when a user who owned both a J3 and s:flo2, and sold the J3 after hearing the s:flo2. 

J3

^ See it's people like you who recommend a player no matter what the topic is that gets people confused and often miss informed.

Yes the J3 is a great player but it is not "the best DAP" in every single situation, and in my opinion SQ is one of those situations.

If we are to include movies in the equation (PMP:s should be able to handle that pretty well) the Cowon S9/J3 or the Sony X ought to be the best choices. That is, DAP:s/PMP:s not only based on SQ. Those AMOLED screens sure look nice.

EDIT: the title is a bit misleading as is asks for the best DAP overall and then the first post focuses on SQ. So what is it - best SQ or best overall DAP/PMP?

haha, well I guess if you got the cash HM801 is the way to go.  I don't know if the T51 is better or equal to the cowons.

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Cowon J3.:)  The Cowon J3 really is a brilliant sounding DAP and one of the best I have heard so far.

Art

Overall? Or just SQ? Headphone out SQ or line out SQ? 

Line-out SQ just brings out too many variables, but, yes, today's overall best sounding self-contained unit seems to be the HiFiMAN HM-801, but then again, I haven't heard ALL alternatives on the market, but heard quite a few.

I strongly prefer audio-only DAPs for music listening.  I have found that the sound quality for universal players such as the iPods or Zunes is usually not that good, due to the fact that incorporating the video playback functionality and larger display forces the designers to use miniaturized DACs and other shortcuts to cram all those extra features into the unit.  This obviously has a negative impact on audio performance.  Jack of all trades, master of none.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hero Kid 

^ See it's people like you who recommend a player no matter what the topic is that gets people confused and often miss informed.

Yes the J3 is a great player but it is not "the best DAP" in every single situation, and in my opinion SQ is one of those situations.

J3
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxmastaxx 

haha xD well theres nothing wrong with getting either the cowon or the Nationite? Just preference then?

Preference is a HUGE deal!  Battery life, EQ, user interface, sound quality, headphone out, line out, amp, no amp?  Those are big questions to answer.  Its not like deciding between a black or white iPod.