[goodsongs]

Does a $60 Sansa clip that can play FLAC file much better sounding than iPhone playing the same music in MP3?
 
I heard COWON sounds good, is that true?
 
What's the best sounding MP3 player?

 

[Cotnijoe]

Best sounding mp3 player can cost a thousand dollars or more. What's your budget?
 
Cowons j3 are good sounding for the price they are offered with a nice look and the sansa clip i think are also great especially for such a neat little device.
 
If you want the best user interface, apple is the king in my opinion. 
 
Most important thing is to answer your budget tho

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Does a $60 Sansa clip that can play FLAC file much better sounding than iPhone playing the same music in MP3?
 
I heard COWON sounds good, is that true?
 
What's the best sounding MP3 player?

I really doubt a Sansa or iPhone are good enough to really make a noticeable difference between a FLAC file and a 256K mp3 file.
I would think a FiiO X3 or iBasso DX50 would give you the best sound in the $200 to $230 range.

 

[AngryGoldfish]

I have a Cowon J3 and listen mostly to mp3 at 320kbps. The sound is solid with my UE700 IEM, but it definitely improves when I play the few FLAC files that I am able to fit on the device. The problem with FLAC on portable devices is how much more storage space they require.
 
As far as best, I think it depends on your needs and preferences. The Cowon range offer features besides audio, as do the Apple and Sony (NWZ-F886 for instance) range. If you want pure audio, FiiO, iBasso, Astell & Kern, HiFiMan all offer varying degrees of quality and pricing.

 

[goodsongs]

What can you do on the J3?
 
I guess I probably need pure audio because I can do everything else on the iPhone.

 

[goodsongs]

I do you choose between these? FiiO, iBasso, Astell & Kern, HiFiMan. Also how does J3 compare to these.

 

[Slashfury99]

I do you choose between these? FiiO, iBasso, Astell & Kern, HiFiMan. Also how does J3 compare to these.

The best sounding DAP, ignoring price factor, is the Astell&Kern AK240, they just stomp on all other MP3 players like they're nothing, for $2500.

But the good, cheaper ones are the Cowon J3, FiiO X3, or the iBasso DX50. Sansas are also decent, though I've never personally owned one.

 

[Arty McGhee]

fiio x3 pretty good bang for the buck
i really enjoy it theres a lot of talk of numbers
brands file types etc...but it just makes me happy
 
refurb sansa clip zip can be had for around 20 bucks
rockbox it and its a pretty good player does it sound better
than an iphone i dunno sounds pretty good and takes sdhc cards
it a good start for not a lotta money
 
you have to decide whats best for you

 

[Solrighal]

Sansa Clip+ for $40 is a no-brainer. Rockbox it and it gets even better. Also, imo, it's the only device which is truly portable. It also manages to easily drive my V-Moda's perfectly well. Is it the ultimate? No. My one is so good I've just bought another, just in case SanDisk stop making them.

 

[KT66]

FLAC on Clips sounds great, better than FLAC on my Iphone 5  to me,
I don't listen to MP3, so can't help there.
 
My only problem with Clips is their size, great for carrying,
terrible for trying to find the buggers in messy kids bedrooms!

 

[luvhangova]

I own an iPod Classic an iPhone 4 and 5s and Wooduo2 IEMs. After seeing all the buzz about the Sansa Clip I dug out my 5 year old Sansa e280 ....lemme just say W-O-W!! Good Bye Apple!! much much MUCH warmer and present !! Prolly paid about 50 bucks for it all those years ago. I thought the Wooduo2s sounded good with the IPhone and IPod --WRONG!! I even thought about getting an anp so I could finally feel that kick ass bass response they are so famous for. Never woulda thought all I needed to do was break out my FIVE YEAR OLD Sansa!! Now the bass is slammin harder than I imagined.--- without sacrificing the highs or mids!! Can't wait til my Atrios get here. Considering an upgrade to the Sansa Clip

 

[goodsongs]

Sansa Clip is cheap. Is the sound quality of Sansa Clip+ on par with that of COWON J3 or Fiio X3, which costs about $200?

 

[Solrighal]

I've only owned two digital portable devices, the first being a Cowon D2. The Clip+ sounds better to my ears. It also has real physical buttons, a feature not to be under-rated on a portable device.

Edit - I should add that I still own the D2 and have compared both a bit. With EQ flat the Clip+ is superior. Both are Rockboxed.

 

[cel4145]

I've only owned two digital portable devices, the first being a Cowon D2. The Clip+ sounds better to my ears. It also has real physical buttons, a feature not to be under-rated on a portable device.

Edit - I should add that I still own the D2 and have compared both a bit. With EQ flat the Clip+ is superior. Both are Rockboxed.

Same here. I got my son a Sansa Clip+. Soon as I heard it, I stopped using my D2 and ordered a Clip+ for me too.

Based on my experience with the E17 (same DAC/headphone amp as in the X3), I would imagine that the X3 would be better. But maybe not 6 to 7 times better (difference in cost). Definitely will be a diminishing return. I wanted to buy the X3, but FiiO has not implemented replaygain/volume leveling, which is a must for me.

Anyway, read these two threads for discussion about the Clip+ and how it compares with other DAPs and phones:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/549042/impression-sandisk-sansa-clip
http://www.head-fi.org/t/571987/is-sansa-clip-really-that-good

 

[goodsongs]

The Clip+ is perfect for something small, cheap, and good sounding while I work out, but its sound quality falls far short of my iphone 4. http://www.head-fi.org/t/571987/is-sansa-clip-really-that-good/15

 

Would you agree with this?