I got my C3 today. I can call myself a noob in audio, but I'll post my first impressions - 2h of use.
I bought it from bigbargains on ebay. It came very well packed. The box it comes in is very nice imo and looks professional. The device came with a thin protector screen. Mine was quite sratched. Which made me think it was used before. Cannot know for sure. There were also a few songs on the device (lady gaga, jay z, radio stuff). A bit weird as I was expecting to be empty.
Anyway...these doesn't bother me too much as long as the player is not defect and it works properly. I really like the look and the feel of it.
Regarding UI, I got used with it in the first 10min. I really don't understand people who complain about it. It has everything I need, it's simple, with no complex-useless features. The buttons are indeed a bit tricky and sometimes seem not to work as you wish, but I guess I have to get used...maybe press a bit harder. Connecting to PC and moving FLACs on it worked flawlessly. Player read everything on it. I am very pleased.
Sound...well, I don't know how to describe, as I didn't make reviews. Shortly, I would describe it as CLEAN. My very first impression when I played the first song was quite a good one. I was liking what I was hearing (and still am
). I am using AKG K518le, which are considered bass heavy. I think the combination is quite good. The player is slightly bright or maybe this is my first impression coming from an iRiver Spinn. I have to admit though, that when I compare them side to side, same FLAC songs...they sound pretty similar. I was expecting slightly more difference though. I'm talking for both with neutral EQ. I haven't compared them with other EQ. C3's sound is slightly cleaner and more detailed, but improvement is not huge. I changed to rock settings and the sound is a lot different, but I haven't analyzed it more. Will do later. I find it a bit better, but the highs are too harsh and loud for me. Otherwise, by a quick skip through all the EQ settings they sound quite different, compared to what someone said that there's no much difference.
Well...that's it for the moment. I don't have any other things in mind that should be said. Maybe I would have liked A BIT more bass, but I have to check also other settings first.
Short conclusion....Great little device!