Best MP3-player for around $300?

If you like to spent something that is cheaper with high quality, I would suggest fuze with an amp. 

Cowons are some of the best players if you want to go ampless. Not so good if you want an amp though, since they lack a line-out.

This is a dead argument, as the HP out is just as good as a dedicated line out on most quality players nowadays. The line out is only volume locked, and that's really about it. A Cowon, or a Sansa, sound FANTASTIC from the HP out amped.

I personally found that my Cowon X7 sounds better than my Fuze with E7. But maybe it's just that I prefer hearing music with the Cowon BBE effects...

What are you looking for in your audio player. Are you mainly concerned with sound? The Hifiman 601 is a great player and is now rock box capable. The T51 is also a good deal in terms of digital audio quality. But with these players you sacrifice battery life compared to other players (thats to be expected due to the powerful components used. If sound is not your main priority then maybe a Sansa, Cowon or itouch/phone would be good as well.

 

Edited by lee730 - 11/29/11 at 4:20am

The Hifimans are great players and will likely soon be Rock Box capabale. I would say it's a bit premature to recommend on the basis of Rock Box though. They are missing some basic functionality when rock boxed at this stage. Once it is working a bit more smoothly Rock Box will be a huge improvement for the HM-601-801.

They sound wonderful though.

Maybe the T51 would be better for you as its skinny and not too big. I like the feel of the 601 though. Its not huge IMO but there are significantly smaller devices like the sansa fuze.

If you want autonomy (~50 hours) and a more frendly interface with JetEffects go for the J3. If you want a line out with a dual DAC and a poor autonomy got for the Teclast 51.

If your thinking of a Cowon i9 check out the new i10.  I have one and I'm loving it, it has just what I want and nothing I don't need like apps and other junk that takes up space.