best portable cd player around?( current)

[amp 36]

Hi all,

I have just bought a pair of Etymotics 4p to use with my pcdp.
Unfortunately I am not happy with the cd player. Is the Sony D-EJ985, and as most of you have stated here, the last sony pcdps are far from sounding good. They also lack power.

I tried with and old D-905 from one friend and the difference was like night and day.

I don't think any of the current Sony pcdps will satisfy my needs, especially considering that the one I own is top of the line.

So I am looking for alternatives. I have read excellent reviews of the iriver CD/MP3 players and I am considering getting one.

Any suggestion?


Thanks and regards

AMP

 

[Oddball]

The iRiver imp-550 and the Sony D-EJ2000 are considered to be the top of the line currently and are well respected.

So you're looking for power and what else? You gotta be a bit more specific. Would you use the mp3 functionality of the iRivers?

 

[amp 36]

Basically what I want is great sound. Clear treble and not overblown bass. Most of the new range of sony pcdps I have listened to, including my own d-ej985 are far from having a good sound. Apart form that, they are also very limited in volume.

I had an older one, the d-e905 and that was far way better in every aspect. The only drawback was the micro plug of the remote, so if you wanted tu use better headphones than the stocked ones you won't be able to use the remote. Well, I made the mistake of selling it.....

I haven't tried the d-ej2000, is not currently available here in Spain but based on my experience with the latest Sony models I tend to think it will be more of the same.

The irivers have more power and eventhough at the moment I am not into mp3, if I get one I will surely use his mp3 capabilities, although I might be still listen to original cd's most of the times.


Regards,
AMP

 

[bangraman]

If it's power you want (especially in Europe), iRiver is your only choice at this point. For the purposes of amping I would pick nits in the iRiver's sound, but on the whole the 550 is a very versatile and nice sounding player. Not exceptional sound quality, but certainly good enough for most phones.


If you're not thinking of buying right now, the iMP-550 is due to be superceded shortly with the iMP-1000 at the same price. You might like to wait for that around May, either to buy the 1000 or see reduced prices on the 550.

 

[davei]

Forget about most European models in general. By law they're limited to 1-2mW output power.

 

[amp 36]

Would it be good enough for the Etys 4p?

 

[terrymx]

Quote:

Originally posted by davei Forget about most European models in general. By law they're limited to 1-2mW output power.

???? jesus christ that hideous, cants drive a 16ohm earbud with that. you sure about that? or do you mean 12mW per channel? thats the normal spec for the imp550.

 

[davei]

Quote:

Originally posted by terrymx ???? jesus christ that hideous, cants drive a 16ohm earbud with that. you sure about that? or do you mean 12mW per channel? thats the normal spec for the imp550.

Yup. Check out European Standard EN 50332-1 - mobile devices have a limitation of 100dB with the included headphones, and also the output power has to be limited to cover AND combination of headphones and player. So devices that are compliant (which are the majority) have very limited output power. Depending on your perspective, this may not be a big deal since a lot of headphones these days have sensitivity ratings of 95-105dB/mW. Mind you I'm not saying the good headphones you should actually use have this rating

 

[cmascatello]

The feature set on the iRiver is hard to beat and the sound quality is pretty good for a PCDP.

The SONY is small and well built. As I am sure you know, the Sony name and styling carries a price premium over other brands. The sound quality is not up to the standards of the vintage 90's-era PCDPs but it is among the best of today's offerings.

This will really come down to the debate of size/form vs. features.