[Mors]

My Clix2 broke a week after having it, it's been gone 3weeks and I've not had a chance to test it with my new Shure E500's, and by the state of Iriver's support I doubt I'm going to hear it again any time soon/ever.

So I'm looking at other DAP's.

I dont want an Ipod, and I don't want an external amp to carry around with it. So what would be the best sounding DAP's that fit these requirements? I've heard good things about the Kenwood's, the D2 and the Samsung's?

What do you guys think is my best option?


Thanks for any advice

 

[chowk]

Based on what others have said: Samsung T9 / Z5 Zune Cowon D2 1st Gen Shuffle

 

[syndrome]

iriver and iAudio are usually safe bets when it comes to SQ, some say they are the best.

 

[Jubei]

Both my iRivers (H320 and iFP-795) have stronger outputs than my Samsung T9. The T9 has a cleaner sound but it can't drive my PX100 satisfactorily. Both iRivers drive PX100 without any problems, but does not sound as crisp as the T9. T9 probably has a better soundstage. Minor tagging problems with T9, with are non-existent with the iRivers since they use a file tree system. In favour of the Samsung are good looks, slim form factor and GREAT battery life; but I really hate the proprietary connector and cable.

So it depends on what your priorities are.

 

[antonyfirst]

Best HD based players (and overall): Kenwood HD10GB7, HD30GB9, HD20GA7.
Flash: Samsung YP-Z5, YP-T9.

 

[jinp6301]

The gigabeat S60 is pretty good compared to all the standard names but I havent compared it to any of the heavy hitters like the imod or the kenwood, but when my iriver comes out, I'll be comparing them

 

[Mors]

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonyfirst /img/forum/go_quote.gif Best HD based players (and overall): Kenwood HD10GB7, HD30GB9, HD20GA7. Flash: Samsung YP-Z5, YP-T9.

Hmmm. Thanks for the input there!

I might check out the 2 Samsungs first as they seem to be fairly easy to get hold of, whereas the Kenwoods....

Is there much difference between the two Samsungs? There's a fair bit in price difference for the 4gb versions?

Are the Samsungs better sounding than the Cowon's and the Meizu's?

 

[antonyfirst]

Due to the price difference, I'd take the Z5 for a 4gb player, and the T9 for an 8gb player (the Z5 maximum capacity is 4gb). Sond should be the same, and the Z5 looks better.

 

[ZARIM]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mors /img/forum/go_quote.gif Are the Samsungs better sounding than the Cowon's and the Meizu's?

It's all depend what type of sound you prefer like T9 shows rich details in mids and it's perfect match with Shure IEMs. But it can't handle higher bitrate well and to me WMA192kbps to 256kbps are best on it(look like made for WMA subscription services). Z5 are sweet sounding mp3 player and overall it's shows great details. Sound on Cowon D2 is tight, controld, punchy and it's handle higher bitrate well. It also has better battery life with same features as T9.

 

[wgr73]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chowk /img/forum/go_quote.gif Based on what others have said: Samsung T9 / Z5 Zune Cowon D2 1st Gen Shuffle

X2, also the ZVM

 

[dap_pad]

The Kenwood for HD and the Z5 for flash. The T9 is decent but for some reason i like the Z5 better.

 

[Assorted]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mors /img/forum/go_quote.gif My Clix2 broke a week after having it, it's been gone 3weeks and I've not had a chance to test it with my new Shure E500's, and by the state of Iriver's support I doubt I'm going to hear it again any time soon/ever. So I'm looking at other DAP's. I dont want an Ipod, and I don't want an external amp to carry around with it. So what would be the best sounding DAP's that fit these requirements? I've heard good things about the Kenwood's, the D2 and the Samsung's? What do you guys think is my best option? Thanks for any advice

If you're planning to use a Kenwood dap with your E500, you might want to make sure it's returnable. I personally find it listenable from all the hiss the E500s pick up, but some say it's unbearable, and etc.

A volume attenuator might solve the problem but it gives the perception of a decreased width in soundstage, and etc. Either way, in my opinion, it doesn't drastically decrease the SQ, neither do 75 ohm resistors.

 

[Socratez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wgr73 /img/forum/go_quote.gif X2, also the ZVM

The ZVM is a great HD player. Powers my Denon D2000's very well without an amp.

 

[The Pieman]

I have a Samsung Z5 and a Cowon D2. Both are excellent, with the D2 having marginally better SQ and a better interface. I also have a Cowon X5L. This also has excellent SQ. All of the above have excellent battery life. I also have an 8gb SDHC card in the D2. An added benefit for the D2.

The iMod also has brilliant SQ but to put it bluntly, crap battery life compared to the above. But requires an amp!

The D2 is probably the best and most flexible of all the DAPs I have.

cheers
Simon

 

[wavefunction]

Trekstor Vibez has good SQ in my opinion. It uses SigmaTel chip STMP3600. I prefer it to Ipods and Cowons that I have tested. Plays lossless(flac) as well as ogg vorbis and others and has parametric EQ and gapless playback, crossfading, pitch bend etc.

Probably benefit from an amp though if you want to use more difficult headphones (I use DT880 250 ohm with it and I find myself wanting for an amp sometimes.)