iBasso DX100 or Colorfly C4 or iRiver AK100

DX100 by a long shot.

Although C4 seems to be better for you, but I wouldn't recommend that if you are gonna carry it around, because of the volume bar, it could be moved easily so you might accidentally turn it up a lot.

I think C4 is better,but the volume bar is a problem

The C4 has better dealer support, and doesn't have a 650+ page thread of issues !

of course the correct answer is HM-801 - get it whilst you still can

There is as much people that like the DX 100 , and continually tries to improve it as there is of this 650+ page of issues , there is a review for both in headfonia , the c4 seems to have not that much of a view on it , compared to something like the HM 60x and the 80x or the Ibasso, even tera player have more opinion written about it than the c4

There is not 650 pages of issues

hell I lost track of INFORMATIONAL posts that I put up along with Soreniism, Lee and the countless others.

Take away all the decompiling posts that I put up, All the FAQ posts, all the "which is better" posts and you might be lucky to get 100 pages.

Quote:

Originally Posted by figgie 

DX100 by a long shot.

Generally, this is true. The DX100 is about as true as it gets in the portable world. Actually, that is a lie. It is the most true to source portable on the market. Whether or not you like that remains up to you. Some do not like that sound, some love it. I fall in between, but realise that there is nothing that compares - at least in terms of raw performance. 

The C4 has very very good performance, too, but has more background noise, doesn't handle low Ω earphones quite as well, and unless all your hi-res music is WAV, is a disappointing hi-res player. That said, it is FAR easier to use and much less frustrating in day-day operations. It has digital in and out, which the DX100 lacks, so if you love the sound (and in here in Japan, it is still top dog. You find DX100's used; you never find used C4 units), then other digital sources can feed into its coaxial port and you can use it as a DAC, or you can DDC as well with the coaxial output. 

Use: C4.

Performance: DX100. 

That's the skinny.

EDIT: funny that in English there isn't much written about it. Here in Japan, there are gobs and gobs of information and reviews. 

just my 2 cents... i only own the C4 so make of this what you will. i have found it a massive improvement from my old mp3 players. much deeper/clearer bass and overall very good sound. (im sure there are better discriptions of the sound than that :) this issues i have are: the display is poor, hard to see at times low res etc.

                the software is very clunky, it doesnt put the songin in correct order, no playlists, artists are not in alphabetical order and a few more issues, maybe im too used to my iphone.

                Battery life is poor.

                hard to navigate menues etc.

                hard to get hi res stuff playing

                takes ages to upload musc

I live with all these issues because the sound is great. every time i get the Sh!#ts with it and go back to my ipod i quickly change back to the C4.

I have never had any issues with the volume control moving at unwanted times. infact i love the volume control, its really great to have such control of the listening level.

I am using UM merlins at the moment. and will continue to use my C4 (and put up with all the short falls) untill i here something that sounds better.

hope this helped a bit, Cheers.

EDIT: on the background noise issue, i do notice background noise if you are trying to listen to it whie its charging or while the screen is on. but when the screen is blank to my ears its silent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scratchy 

just my 2 cents... i only own the C4 so make of this what you will. i have found it a massive improvement from my old mp3 players. much deeper/clearer bass and overall very good sound. (im sure there are better discriptions of the sound than that :) this issues i have are: the display is poor, hard to see at times low res etc.

                the software is very clunky, it doesnt put the songin in correct order, no playlists, artists are not in alphabetical order and a few more issues, maybe im too used to my iphone.

                Battery life is poor.

                hard to navigate menues etc.

                hard to get hi res stuff playing

                takes ages to upload musc

 

I live with all these issues because the sound is great. every time i get the Sh!#ts with it and go back to my ipod i quickly change back to the C4.

 

I have never had any issues with the volume control moving at unwanted times. infact i love the volume control, its really great to have such control of the listening level.

 

I am using UM merlins at the moment. and will continue to use my C4 (and put up with all the short falls) untill i here something that sounds better.

 

 

hope this helped a bit, Cheers.

 

EDIT: on the background noise issue, i do notice background noise if you are trying to listen to it whie its charging or while the screen is on. but when the screen is blank to my ears its silent.

Wonderful observations. Indeed, the volume control is wonderful. In fact, I'd put it above the DX100's for the simple fact: only the volume slider will accidentally move it. The volume rocker of the DX100 activates the screen and you can accidentally move the on screen volume control without directly touching it (in your trousers, or when moving the DX100) and burst your ears. 

Interface, as clunky as it is on the C4, is easier to get around (and quicker) than the C4. 

Transfer speed on the C4 is abysmal though.

Is the DX 100 player that unintuitive? I mean, sure it is using touchscreen and the like, but surely it is easy enough to use?

I've found that pretty typical. It seems that audiophile gear is all about trade offs. If you can live with it, then take it and enjoy. If you can't, don't.