Buying DAP, need HELP!!!

[icediz]

Ok, here is the thing. I have a budeget around 150 EUR

I mostly listen to rock (and I like clear but bassy sound
I wouldn`t be using an amp, and headphones would be Sennheiser MX 70 sport (64 ohm, 117dB), Sennheiser HD-212 Pro and someday maybe HD-595

I`m considering these players:

Creative Zen V Plus
Apple iPod nano 2gen
SONY NW-S703
iAudio U3 or F2
iRiver T10
iRiver U10


I want quality build.
Which of these DAPs has the best SQ?
Which would had none or very little hiss?

And yes i live in Europe so If any of these models have a "Volume limit" (sony?) then they wouldn`t be considerd.

So guys, now it`s your turn

 

[Andrew Jones]

I can't comment on any of the players in your list, but have you considered the Samsung YP-Z5? Being a few months old the price has dropped a lot and the firmware is much improved. The sound is excellent and the build is very robust. I ususally use a Xenos amp to drive a pair of 595s, but the Z5 will drive them very well without an amp.

 

[syndrome]

I would go with the iAudio or iriver for their amazing sound quality for their size and price. According to myself, Creative sounds a little worse, and Apple is in the bottom of my sound quality list. Never tried the SONY.

 

[webbie64]

Agree with iRiver as recommended brand but would stretch to the T30 as the sound quality over the T10 is another step up.

 

[jewman]

Get the iRiver h320 if size isn't an issue.

 

[LaBreaHead]

The second generation iPod Nano has impressive battery performance (finally, Apple) and is very easy to use ... yet, while it sounds better to me than I was led to believe it would, according to Head-Fi posters the others on your list would sound even better (as would the Samsung recommended by Andrew Jones). I have owned an iAudio 5 flash player and was very impressed with its sound quality.

Important question -- I don't know the prices for these in Europe ... would you have to eliminate some of these players from consideration based on price, or have you checked out prices already? I do know that there are seldom, if ever, "discount" prices on iAudio and iRiver players in the U.S. (but then, sometimes you get what you pay for).

 

[icediz]

OK here is the thing, I`ve managed to narrow down the choice so I decided to get either

iPod nano 2gen or iRiver U10

but here is the thing iRever U10 has max. capacity of 1 GB but for that same price I get 2 GB iPod. But more imprtant than capacity to me is sound quality and power of the output. Now my question is:

Would the difference in sound quality be very noticable without an amp with headphones around 100 eur

Due to iPod`s weaker power output would it be enoguh to drive headphones like Sennheiser HD-555??

 

[timmins]

why not wait for the iriver u20:
http://www.dapreview.net/comment.php?comment.news.3843

 

[LaBreaHead]

Due to iPod`s weaker power output would it be enoguh to drive headphones like Sennheiser HD-555??



The iPod drives the Sennheiser PX100 well ... sorry, I don't know the differences in technical specifications between those and the HD-555's (two very different "animals," I know). A feature of the iPod would be excellent navigation and the almost ridiculous availability of accessories ... but as you state sound quality is of the first importance, maybe the iRiver is for you (not that the iPod sounds bad). Also, would required use of any software be a factor for or against either player?

 

[timmins]

the ipod is 30mW per channel it isn't weak. most other players are 20mW.

 

[icediz]

Also, would required use of any software be a factor for or against either player?

Everything except Sonc Stage is ok

------------------------------------------------

the ipod is 30mW per channel it isn't weak. most other players are 20mW.


Ipod nano 2nd gen has 30 mW per chanel ???

 

[icediz]

Ok here is the final choice

iPod nano 2nd gen
or
iAudio U3

I think I`ll go for iAudio for its alleged SQ!!
What would you recommend ??

 

[LaBreaHead]

I currently use the 2nd generation iPod Nano for ease of use in day-to-day situations. However, if you like "playing with" your gadgets, you might enjoy "dialing in" the iAudio sound to your preferences ... the default sound is very good, and you will be able to further tweak the sound the way you want it. If I'm not mistaken, you would be able to load songs onto the iAudio using drag and drop, which may or may not matter to you.

 

[icediz]

I`m gettin my U3