Hello good people. I am fairly new to realizing how to create "good" sound outside of the concert hall, and this forum has been helpful in making me realize that headphones beat earbuds and in getting me to my recent purchase of the Dayton T-AMP, which has pretty much made my backyard the listening room of choice at the moment. So, I hope you'll indulge the following long-winded inquiry.
I have been listening to sandisk clips for years now. Recently had to move up to clip plus or whatever they have now. I like 'em (no itunes!, drag and drop!) and we have a total of three of their products. I was totally happy until I got a droid phone and started packing that with tunes and got power amp. I have to say, being able to see all the music, and being able to do such things as instantly set 3 albums to shuffle, or create a quick queu that's good for the moment, is a huge plus. I'll still be using the clips for bike rides and the like, but I am trying to also get a player that's good with my t-amp and bookshelf polks for car camping, backyard BBQing, and even for loading on the back of the bike for party rides.Also one with no hiss in the headphones, cause I use them a lot. I want it to be able to get loud--t-amp loud, not nightclub loud-- and still sound good, whether with speakers or headphones. I also like flac (though can convert so not wedded to it), sunsets, and long walks on the beach (lol). Suddenly, I want a little more from by screen and interface. Being able to scroll down a bunch of album titles or else shuffle all my songs will no longer suffice for this project. And did I mention that i am kinda broke--which is why using the T-amp and some polk bookshelves to create the best stereo in my house has thrilled me ever so.
It's hard to find anything about the user interfaces on these players, which is why I am asking here. Things I have gathered from here and other places: Sony Walkman's have good sound quality but it is not neutral. That annoys people but it may be a good sounds to budget ratio. Not all Sony's are created equal. Cowan's are popular but expensive. Iriver are lusted after. The fuze may not have the "DJ on the fly" interface I need.
Local Best Buy has the Sony NWZS764 and Sandisc Fuze. Would love to step it up in sound quality from sansa as I make this purchase, but as long as I am not stepping down I am OK. And I do not think I am capable to rockbox. Oh yeah, and I am budgeting about $120.
Any thoughts? Any info on the interfaces? Sony lines to stay away from sonically? And thanks! I enjoy reading here, much good info.
Edited by jane watson - 1/18/12 at 9:46am
