Yeah I took a look at the diagram comparison at Fiio's website and they're completely different animals.   However, I think I've made up my mind. I'm a bang for buck kinda guy, and 200 eur sounds about right for a decent mp3 player (for me). The X5 at 350 might be overkill for me, thanks all!!

  Thanks again, you guys are very helpful!   So you mean to say that... the X3 is going to get the same UI... it also works as an USB DAC, it charges and plays at the same time... it costs about half the price of the X5... I'm failing to understand why anyone would buy an X5 then!!! :D  ...

Thanks for your reply :)   Well... the X3 had some bad reviews of software lock ups and s**t... also I read the UI is supposed to be much better on the X5. I might also find the DAC option useful. One of my biggest problems with the sansa is that when I can't use it when it is charging at the...

So... I'm looking for a replacement for my Sansa Clip+. Would I be safe to assume that this is the ideal candidate? ;)   I do realize we are talking about completely different budgets here... and I'm not really sure if I'm willing to spend 350 on an mp3 player... but I might!   Thanks!

Thanks for all the input! I think I might stick with the Clip+ for an ultra portable rig and then sometime in the future get the hifiman 601 for a less portable one :)   Thanks!!

I'd like to hear your opinions here http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/524554/what-to-get-clip-vs-fuze-vs-fuze   Thanks!

Hey guys! Need your help here!   I am looking to upgrade (in SQ) from my iPod classic and I am thinking on getting one of the players mentioned in the title. The ability to use an external amplifier (like E5) would be a nice to have feature, so, if I'm not mistaken, Clip+ and Fuze+ would be...

You guys are sure making my life difficult :) Still I'm inclined to get an E7, so I can use it on my ipod/clip+ as an amp or at home in my desktop to play bad company 2 as dac+amp :p

Hmm... I'm gonna try clip+ direct to headphones then... and see what I think about it. Then maybe get an E7... when the budget allows for it (x-mas maybe :))

You people should try driving a new BMW (or any other high-end car/brand).   I went from a VW Golf IV to a new BMW 3 series and I almost had an accident a couple of times because it does such an impressive job blocking external noise. But then you get used to it, you realize you can no...

Crappy IEMs + crappy source = Twice crappy SQ. In sound it's not like something "limits" the other. It actually adds up... I think!

Thanks for your answers they were really helpful! The only problem with iBassos is availability... where E5's are (relatively) easy to get from amazon.co.uk. When you live in Portugal your options are sometimes rather limited...

Quote: Ok but my main concern is, without any "boosting", can you perceive any difference in SQ with/without the E5? I haven't completely burned in my Xcapes but I'm lacking just a little bit of bass. Right now I'm using an iPod classic and the EQ in bass boost setting completely kills...

Would you say an E5 helps on SQ with a Clip+ and Sunrise Sw-Xcape's?

I was considering getting an E5 to help my Xcapes. You think it would be worth it? Either for my ipod or for a clip+ (which I'm planning to get), what do you think? Thanks!