[s0n1c6l1ss]

Disclaimer:
Before flaming me for asking a frequently repeated question, please read through considerately : ) I have spent hours searching and reading through pages after pages of previous discussion threads of interest to me.

Query:
As expected, I was stuck with finding the right player.
I noticed an interesting comment from one of the members here suggesting to build your player/rig around the headphones of your choice.

My headphones are going to be the Shure e500. I would still welcome general responses which might work better with other headphones but please focus on IEM's.

My requirements from a player:
a) Sound quality is the single most important feature and I would like the player to support at least one lossless format*
* (it is used here to mean any lossless format other than Wav).
b) I could consider both HDD and flash based players, however, I would prefer flash based players if it doesn't mean compromising the sound quality significantly.
c) They should be able to provide decent output unamped to my e500's.
d) I do not care about video playback or other side features.


Note: The ipod imod and the Kenwood HD30GB9 are kind of out of my range. Secondly, the fact that the HD30GB9 doesn't support any general lossless formats apart from its own is disappointing. Comments about the sound quality and suitability of the latter are welcome.

So, I had a few players under consideration like the Trekstor Vibez, Clix 2, (even ipod Nano 8 GB, and Cowon D2 for a while till I read about their sound quality). I read about the Meizu m6 but I can't be sure about it (also it doesn't seem to support any lossless format).

I have read very little about the 4 GB clix 2 in terms of sound quality. Also, the fact that the Trekstor may have sound leakage from the drive is of major concern since I plan to use IEM's mostly.

I am looking forward to hearing all suggestions.

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[s0n1c6l1ss]

Those were just a few of the players that I considered. Feel free to suggest any player which, you think, would satisfy my requirements.

 

[dissembled]

Bigger is always better if you want to fit lossless files in. Also consider players with FLAC support.

Tresktor Vibez (12 GB), X5, Rockboxed Ipop, Cowon D2 (expandable memory) are good candidates.

 

[Quaddy]

i agree with the comment above, if you are after lossless on a flash player you are gonna have a limited library to a certain extent, depends on what number of tracks/albums would satify you.

i must admit the whole thing of compromising sound quality by getting an hd player over flash is new to me. (as a lot of things are);

i am sure listening to an imod or an iriver h1x or an nw-hd5 player with the same amp/phones etc and then putting a flash player in the mix, most would vote for the HD players SQ over flash daps, but its like anything i guess it does depend on the actual player and the quality of components used in the source.

i urge you not to rule out HD players!!!

 

[s0n1c6l1ss]

Thank you dissembled & Quaddy. I almost made up my mind for the Trekstor, however, the problem of sound leakage from the drive being noticeable in IEM's is of concern to me.

Any suggestions are more than welcome! Please pitch in with your recommendations!

 

[skellington]

If you could compromise a little on the sound quality issue, then a ogg vorbis compatible flash player could be good. I've been very impressed with the quality of these encoded files with fairly revealing headphones. I don't know how these will compare to the detail in IEMs however.

 

[no1likesme]

This is exactly what you want as far as file support and ability to power your e500 without an amp. It is a bit of a gamble though as the karma is not exactly known for it's reliability.

The Ultra Karma 60 WILL be my next audio purchase.

 

[ChicagoNB]

You could go with an 8g Nano. I know it has sound issues but for the price, it offers everything else you are lookin for. Then look at the for sale section on here and buy a small amp to fix the sound problem. You could get a decent amp for $60-$75. Your E500's would thank you as well. There is a great amp review over in the Amp section and I recently saw a couple of inexpensive highly rated amps for sale.

JMHO

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by no1likesme /img/forum/go_quote.gif This is exactly what you want as far as file support and ability to power your e500 without an amp. It is a bit of a gamble though as the karma is not exactly known for it's reliability. The Ultra Karma 60 WILL be my next audio purchase.

I wonder how the Karma compares to the Vibez in the SQ department.

 

[no1likesme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif I wonder how the Karma compares to the Vibez in the SQ department.

I have not heard a vibez but from what I have heard here and on riovolution the vibes is very good but the karma still wins out. Like I said I haven't heard the vibez so I cannot say for sure.


I miss my karma

 

[s0n1c6l1ss]

Could anyone who has tried Trekstor Vibez with IEM's confirm if they noticed the sound leakage/distortion issue like a couple of other people here.

 

[Mors]

The Clix2 is a very good player. I would definately recommend it. It plays ogg's too.
I need to AB it against my Zune with my e500's.

 

[faichiu]

Meizu player support Flac after firmware update.

Iaudio U3 is also a good choice for pushing your E500 (30mW each channel).

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s0n1c6l1ss /img/forum/go_quote.gif Could anyone who has tried Trekstor Vibez with IEM's confirm if they noticed the sound leakage/distortion issue like a couple of other people here.

I'm planning to buy one very soon. I'll let you know of any hard drive 'leaks' /EQ distortions with my Etymotics.

 

[dissembled]

You can also look at other Rockbox capable players besides those mentioned above.
supported.