Best cheap (used) mp3 player.

[Spasticteapot]

After buying some Shure E3Cs, I found myself in a world of high-frequency noise previously unheard through the junk they replaced. I'd like to get a really good Mp3 player, but I'm on a limited budget.

Anyway...my requirements.

1. Cheap. Preferably less than $20; $40 is pushing it. I don't want anything fancy - if I want to do some serious listening, I'll use my home system anyway.

2. Capable of driving a pair of E3Cs without an external amplifier. Of course, if the mp3 player is a sufficiently good value, I could try building one, but I'd really rather not carry anything else around.

3. High sound quality. Even the background noise on a last-generation iPod Shuffle was audible, and the noise from my Thinkpad is enough to make me want to bite people.

4. Small size - preferably no larger than an iPhone.

5. An easy to use interface, preferably supporting playlists and the like. I have yet to own an iPod (I hate planned obsolescence), but I do find them easy to use. I would rather not have a Zune, though - I really, really, really hate Windows Media Player.

If anyone can suggest a "Top MP3 player" from three years ago, that would be great!

EDIT:
Would an iPod Mini be a good choice? I bet I can get one cheap if I repair it.

 

[big-fi]

lol wow at the budget...

i buy tips for $20...

1GB Sansa Clip
on head-fi, im pretty sure i saw it around 30-40 area.

 

[ANGELSS]

I suggest the Clip as well, it going to be the best audio quality you can get on your tight budget.
What kind of capacity were you looking for?

 

[big-fi]

He doesn't have much choice for $20 in my opinion....

Actually, if you could get a hold of an ipod mini for that price, that'd be great.
It will most definately drive your e3c

 

[Spasticteapot]

Thanks for the replies. That was fast!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANGELSS /img/forum/go_quote.gif I suggest the Clip as well, it going to be the best audio quality you can get on your tight budget. What kind of capacity were you looking for?

The Clip does look nice. If I can't get an iPod, I'll likely buy one of those. My old mp3 player, the C200, was a Sansa as well - I presume this one is a bit better?

Quote:

Originally Posted by big-fi /img/forum/go_quote.gif He doesn't have much choice for $20 in my opinion.... Actually, if you could get a hold of an ipod mini for that price, that'd be great. It will most definately drive your e3c

Thanks for the tip. I suppose it helps that I have two spare 4gb microdrives.

 

[Dominat0r]

I have a YP-T9 samsung that im pretty impressed with the SQ on.

 

[HipHopScribe]

Another vote for the Sansa Clip, great sound quality, no annoying background noise, very small, easy to use, requires no additional software.

 

[filipelli]

1G Shuffle if you disregard #5. You can make playlists and load them on the fly on your system though. Great great player.

 

[Spasticteapot]

I just bought a 4gb Cowon iAudio U3 off of Craigslist for $50. Admittedly, it was over $40, but I was able to try it before I bought it - and I didn't need to pay shipping , either. (Huzzah!)

To put it simply....wow.

It's very small. The interface is great, and you can even load playlists from Linux - something only otherwise found on an iPod. It's capable of driving my K240s and wacky MB Quart w/ DT770 driver hybrids. It's small. The battery life is terrific.

And the sound quality is astounding.

I have an old Denon DCD-695 CD player, which I thought was pretty good. However, even with low-bitrate mp3s, the Cowon is better.

I do, however, have a 2gb iPod Nano coming in the mail; I won it for $20 on eBay. (It needs a bit of work with a soldering iron, but nothing difficult.) I think I'll be selling it in off in short order - the Cowon is in a league of its own.

Much thanks to all on the forum for advice - I'd never have heard of the U3 were it not for Head-Fi.

 

[rockin_amigo14]

the cowon u3 is an excellent choice, and you got a fantastic deal on it. i remember the price for it when it was released was ridiculous. cowon typically has exceptional SQ. glad to see you are pleased with your purchase. happy listening!

 

[mule65]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spasticteapot /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just bought a 4gb Cowon iAudio U3 off of Craigslist for $50. To put it simply....wow.

I have a U3 too and am a big fan of its SQ -- I use Yuin PK3 earbuds and am still amazed. Great for runners since you can work the joystick without breaking stride.

On the downside, however, I wish it did gapless, sorted songs by track number and had option for 8/16gb. I also read that the U3 is being retired by Cowon.

 

[Drag0n]

Woot : One Day, One Deal (SM)

I got a Sansa M240 1gb for $9.99 and $5 shipping.
Keep watching, they always have deals.

 

[Spasticteapot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drag0n /img/forum/go_quote.gif Woot : One Day, One Deal (SM) I got a Sansa M240 1gb for $9.99 and $5 shipping. Keep watching, they always have deals.

I had another model of Sansa. It was awful.