I currently use a DR7, and I can put up with recording with SP. I stress 'put up with,' for recently, I have been simply too lazy to make any new recordings. I'm looking for a small portable HD player with exceptional audio quality.
Hard drive capacity is my lowest priority. I do not intend using the player to hold my entire computer music collection (~45 Gb of lossless, another ~20 Gb of lossy, and ever-growing). Just 10 Gb or higher will be fine for me. Here is my mathematical reasoning: assuming each WAV track is 50 Mb and I can use 1000 Mb (out of the theoretical 1024) of the 10 Gb DAP, that is 200 tracks, which is more than enough for portable/transportable usage.
The most important stipulation here is sound quality; it must sound good. As such, I am most likely going to be using WAV files (most of the music on my Windows PC is in FLAC or APE) - I've already decided that lower battery life is a valid tradeoff. I probably do not need an EQ. A real line-out (or at least a digital / switchable one) would be preferable, although I would not be using the player with an amp 90% of the time. I will probably be using the DAP with the Shure E1 or Shure E3.
Having said that, physical size and portability would be my second priority. I have already ruled out the Karma, just based on the thickness alone - I just do not see myself using it portably. However, although I would use it at the gym, I would most likely not jog with it - even if I do, it would be occasional at best. It just has to fit in my pants pocket while I am walking or sitting.
Battery life would be equally important. As a MiniDisc user, I have been spoiled by the ridiculously long battery life that is so characteristic of these little players. I hope to at least have 8 hours - playing WAV files, at moderate volumes, and with EQ disabled.
Next would be price. I want something on the inexpensive side - and seeing that I do not need extra options or high HD capacity, I think this is possible. Assuming I can sell my DR7 for $225, I would still be lacking in funds. This is not going to be an immediate switch for me - I still need to save up some more money.
Hard drive capacity is my lowest priority. I do not intend using the player to hold my entire computer music collection (~45 Gb of lossless, another ~20 Gb of lossy, and ever-growing). Just 10 Gb or higher will be fine for me. Here is my mathematical reasoning: assuming each WAV track is 50 Mb and I can use 1000 Mb (out of the theoretical 1024) of the 10 Gb DAP, that is 200 tracks, which is more than enough for portable/transportable usage.
The most important stipulation here is sound quality; it must sound good. As such, I am most likely going to be using WAV files (most of the music on my Windows PC is in FLAC or APE) - I've already decided that lower battery life is a valid tradeoff. I probably do not need an EQ. A real line-out (or at least a digital / switchable one) would be preferable, although I would not be using the player with an amp 90% of the time. I will probably be using the DAP with the Shure E1 or Shure E3.
Having said that, physical size and portability would be my second priority. I have already ruled out the Karma, just based on the thickness alone - I just do not see myself using it portably. However, although I would use it at the gym, I would most likely not jog with it - even if I do, it would be occasional at best. It just has to fit in my pants pocket while I am walking or sitting.
Battery life would be equally important. As a MiniDisc user, I have been spoiled by the ridiculously long battery life that is so characteristic of these little players. I hope to at least have 8 hours - playing WAV files, at moderate volumes, and with EQ disabled.
Next would be price. I want something on the inexpensive side - and seeing that I do not need extra options or high HD capacity, I think this is possible. Assuming I can sell my DR7 for $225, I would still be lacking in funds. This is not going to be an immediate switch for me - I still need to save up some more money.
