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Sony NWZ-X equiv., or better, for under $400?

post #1 of 6
10/31/11 at 3:10pm
Thread Starter 

Hello,

 

I'm looking for a replacement for my Sony NWZ-X for under $400.

 

What are some options? I thought HiFiMAN HM-601 would be a good choice, but looking around, it seems that other players have a more accurate output than it, so...

 

I was thinking of the Clip+, like everyone recommends, but maybe everyone recommends it because of its low price/budget? I can't see how a ~$40 player can be so good...

 

Thank you, in advance.

 

P.S. I would like for it to accept .flac, but if it doesn't, it's okay (since I've been converting my .flac to .wav for my NWZ-X, as it doesn't support any lossless codecs, minus linear PCM).


Edited by lappyow - 10/31/11 at 3:13pm
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post #2 of 6
10/31/11 at 8:56pm
The Sony X1060 is better sounding DAPs than many others and it has line-out to improve sound even further. But HM-602, S:Flo2 are better sounding with line-out and they are able to drive even higher impedance IEMs(like ER4S)than Sony X1060.
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post #3 of 6
10/31/11 at 9:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZARIM View Post

The Sony X1060 is better sounding DAPs than many others and it has line-out to improve sound even further. But HM-602, S:Flo2 are better sounding with line-out and they are able to drive even higher impedance IEMs(like ER4S)than Sony X1060.


Yea, I have (broken now) a NWZ-X1051. It's discontinued (I guess Sony is not making the X-series anymore?), and I'd like a replacement.

 

I'm using Shure SE535s with no amplifier in between; just directly connected to a DAP.

 

I read reviews on HM-602 vs. HM-601, and most reviews show that the difference is negligible , to make up the cost (of ~$200).

 

How's the Cowon J3? Reviews are pretty good for those (same price range as the HM-601). As for the S:Flo2, I'll have to do some review-reading, since I haven't read up on it at all.

 

By the way, I'm accustomed to the "enjoyable" music the NWZ-X and SE535s make; I hope I can get something similar, and not something that's studio-recording (as in flat/dull). 

 

I don't know how to explain it... it's just... different.

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post #4 of 6
11/1/11 at 5:05am

You can easy drive SE535. I haven't noticed a huge difference between normal player, sound card, music center or high-end player. They are quite good in all sources with enough power.
Sony has warm sound, but not powerful and detailed.

Cowon has much more power and good details, also it has bigger soundstage.

Build quality and ui i prefer to Sony DAPs.

Cowon has lot of music formats also it has a great EQ which is good when you love your IEMs and DAP but there is no synergy between them. You can make your own good sound. As for me i don't like using any EQ.

Sony X has a very similar sound with newer models A840, S750, S760.

Cowon J3 has a very similar sound with C2, S9.

 

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post #5 of 6
11/1/11 at 11:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Berkovajazz View Post

You can easy drive SE535. I haven't noticed a huge difference between normal player, sound card, music center or high-end player. They are quite good in all sources with enough power.

 

...

 

Sony X has a very similar sound with newer models A840, S750, S760.

 



I know, hence why I don't use an amp =P. I suppose I could get the Sony A-series; cheaper, and I'm familiar with the sound that the Sony X produces.

 

I wish I can try these out before buying them... I would really like to try the HM-601 (see if those graphs/charts are right vs. "they sound better" anecdotal), as well as the J3 (hailed as one of the best sounding players, apparently).

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post #6 of 6
11/2/11 at 7:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZARIM View Post

The Sony X1060 is better sounding DAPs than many others and it has line-out to improve sound even further. But HM-602, S:Flo2 are better sounding with line-out and they are able to drive even higher impedance IEMs(like ER4S)than Sony X1060.


Agree - the ergonomics of the T51 are diabolical, but its the first DAP I have owned which betters the X1060 from both HO and LO. If you can live with the UI, and that hilariously poor touchscreen, and the woeful battery life, and occasional firmware glitches, then its the perfect DAP !  wink.gif

 

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