Which is head-fi's portable music player?

Sounds like you need a Cowon... A J3 or S9 should do. The EQ on both of those allows you to tailor the sound to your taste and headphones more so an iPod, Sansa, Zune, ect.

J3 - S9

Makes headphones in general sound much better than you'd expect... If you need more bass, treble, clarity, the BBE EQ can do it!

Top tier wise, I expect you already know about the HM801, which, while it sounds great with a flat or normal EQ, has a terrible interface, and lacks an EQ as good as those found on Cowon players.

What players are you considering, and what is your price limit? The most economical solution would probably be to Rockbox a player, which would allow you to have a parametric EQ, among other things. Take a look at Rockbox.org

stevenswall, I second your post

You can buy a s9 32gb for $200, or a j3 32gb+32 card for $320

Also, you can buy a s:flo2, yet when stacked up to a Cowon, it falls flat

The s:flo2 has a internal amp (kinda, almost like half of a amp) and a line out which is good to connect

Fuze with a card?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3602 

Fuze with a card?

Just to clarify if your buying a clip.

Buy a original sansa Clip, I believe people say a clip+ cannot be rockboxed and with that can't play flac

But you can buy a (vague on it) 8gb then add a 32gb card to it for less then $100

You can RB a clip+ and as far as I've heard, the build is stable.  I certainly haven't had any problems with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rroseperry 

You can RB a clip+ and as far as I've heard, the build is stable.  I certainly haven't had any problems with it.

 

oh ok, I probably was reading a old forum then

You should check out the HM-601, definately one of the better sounding players and has an amp powerful enough to drive full size phones.

Another vote for the sansa clip+. 8gb + a 32gb sd is plenty of space. And when you rockbox it you can play anything. Plus it's quite small so convenient on a armband or in your pocket while working out.

Perfect

Another vote for either a Rockboxed clip+ or Fuze. Just don't do a boo-boo and get the Fuze+,...it's quite a nice looking player - but buggy as all heck I'm afraid. Plus, no RB for it,...

You may want to consider the Ipod mini and put either a 32 or 64gb compact flash card in it, the mini can be rockboxed and you can also do the diy mod if so inclined. All this would run you roughly $200-$225 if you decided to go with the 64gb compact flash card. Advantages are its small, simple interface, holds lots of music and is fully customizable

Get over your anti-touchscreen bias and get a J3.  Whats the problem? You just put your finger on the screen to select stuff.  It even has buttons on the sides of the player too so you can change tracks and volume etc without having to use the screen.

Do it.

Don't listen to Benny , he is the no1 stockholder of Cowon Inc.

(J3 is great , but don't listen to me for i am the no2 stockholder of Cowon Inc)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bennyboy71 

Get over your anti-touchscreen bias and get a J3.  Whats the problem? You just put your finger on the screen to select stuff.  It even has buttons on the sides of the player too so you can change tracks and volume etc without having to use the screen.

 

Do it.