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New gear: AMP+Player up to 350 bucks

post #1 of 5
9/10/10 at 1:54am
Thread Starter 

So, I currently have a um3x and a Rockboxed Sansa Clip+ which unfortunately is dying(screen fails sometimes).

 

Some players that got my attention:

 

Cowon J3: would've been perfect, if not for the bass roll-off with low ohms IEMs, as I plan on getting an SM3 

 

S:FLO 2 + AMP: I've seen diverged opinions and RMAA tests on the S:FLO 2, not to mention it seems like a very problematic player

 

Another Sansa Clip/Fuze + Headstage Arrow 12HE 2G: definitely could say it's an improvement, but by how much?

 

I'm looking mainly for a SQ improvement,  I don't EQ much and don't need extra-fancy stuff, but I don't mind having it.

I honestly don't know at what player should I be looking, nor AMP. I could even just end up getting another Sansa Clip and the Headstage Arrow as it seems reasonable for me.


Edited by tehort - 9/10/10 at 1:55am
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

COWON J3 16 GB Portable Media Player (Black)
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COWON J3 8 GB Portable Media Player (White)
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COWON J3 32 GB Portable Media Player (Black)
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post #2 of 5
9/11/10 at 6:18pm

PM Bennyboy71. He used to have the SM3s and the J3. He loved the set up so I'm sure it'd be fine.

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post #3 of 5
9/11/10 at 7:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hero Kid View Post

PM Bennyboy71. He used to have the SM3s and the J3. He loved the set up so I'm sure it'd be fine.


The irony is that Bennyboy71 now prefers the Etymotic HF2. It all depends. If you like a warmer sound signature, then go for the SM3. If you like a less warm sound signature, then go for Fischer Audio, Etymotic, or Audio Technica.

 

Keep in mind, the difference between the Earsonics SM3 and the Westone UM3X aren't that great. I wouldn't spend that much extra for the SM3. If you have looked at the poll (Westone UM3X and Earsonics SM3) keep in mind that few people in it had/tried both the Westone UM3X and Earsonics SM3. I am not saying the SM3 is not better (I like it better), but I would buy it from soundearphones.com before selling your UM3X. Then A/B them and see which one you like better. I believe soundearphones has a 30-day money back policy.

 

The S:Flo 2 sounds great, but it does hiss and has clicks and stuff between tracks. It does sound great though, especially for its price. It's UI is not the greatest, but at this point it is no longer crashes, has bugs, or lags.

 

If you want to, go for the Cowon J3. Again, buy it, try it, and return it if you don't like it. I doubt the bass roll-off is super noticeable, especially on the go. It will also really be portable (no amp). However, the Cowon J3 will eat up your whole budget (assuming you get a 32 GB J3 and a 32 GB (or 2 16 GB) microSD Cards.


Edited by violinvirtuoso - 9/11/10 at 7:30pm
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post #4 of 5
9/11/10 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 


Thx for the reply.

About the SM3, I can sell the um3x here(Brazil) or the SM3 if I don't like, so I would be even afterall.

Now about the J3, I really like the battery life, portability, storage, UI and no pre-order(:x), but the s:flo2 has such a hype, it makes me wonder.

I guess in the long term I would be happier with the J3 UI and extras, and maybe even an amp in the future...

Quote:
Originally Posted by violinvirtuoso View Post




The irony is that Bennyboy71 now prefers the Etymotic HF2. It all depends. If you like a warmer sound signature, then go for the SM3. If you like a less warm sound signature, then go for Fischer Audio, Etymotic, or Audio Technica.

 

Keep in mind, the difference between the Earsonics SM3 and the Westone UM3X aren't that great. I wouldn't spend that much extra for the SM3. If you have looked at the poll (Westone UM3X and Earsonics SM3) keep in mind that few people in it had/tried both the Westone UM3X and Earsonics SM3. I am not saying the SM3 is not better (I like it better), but I would buy it from soundearphones.com before selling your UM3X. Then A/B them and see which one you like better. I believe soundearphones has a 30-day money back policy.

 

The S:Flo 2 sounds great, but it does hiss and has clicks and stuff between tracks. It does sound great though, especially for its price. It's UI is not the greatest, but at this point it is no longer crashes, has bugs, or lags.

 

If you want to, go for the Cowon J3. Again, buy it, try it, and return it if you don't like it. I doubt the bass roll-off is super noticeable, especially on the go. It will also really be portable (no amp). However, the Cowon J3 will eat up your whole budget (assuming you get a 32 GB J3 and a 32 GB (or 2 16 GB) microSD Cards.

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post #5 of 5
9/12/10 at 12:13am

Hype is never something you should really follow. It just ends up in a hole, well - nearly always.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by violinvirtuoso View Post

The irony is that Bennyboy71 now prefers the Etymotic HF2.


Does this mean he didn't love his J3 + SM3 set up? No.

Here's an analogy for you. I loved my first (and now divorced) wife. Simply because I'm with someone else does it mean I never loved her in the first place? No.

I think the same applies to audio gear. Sure you find happiness elsewhere but it doesn't mean that happiness was never real to begin with.


Edited by Hero Kid - 9/12/10 at 12:37am
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

COWON J3 16 GB Portable Media Player (Black)
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COWON J3 8 GB Portable Media Player (White)
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COWON J3 32 GB Portable Media Player (Black)
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