Help!Digital Media Player for $180.

[cuba0555]

My choices are
• The Sony NWZA-726BLK $170 (claim to have very good SQ)
• The Samsung YP-P2JABY $150 (very feature laden)
• The I-pod nano $150 (tons of accessories)
• The Sansa Fuze $80 (Cheap)
So many to pick from so help me out. Video is not important but good sound is a must.

 

[blessingx]

Will you ever use an amp? If so the iPods line-out is nice. Otherwise the Sonys looks good, but places like Vanns has it cheaper. Also you can find the NWZ-A818 8GB in your price range too.

 

[cuba0555]

I was looking into making a cmoy amp. Just to try something new. But having an well made amp gives you better sound or is it simply for giving headphones better volumes? As for now an amp might not be needed seeing that I will be using IEMs. But I'm soon to buy high-end cans that might need good amperage from any given source.

 

[woopididi]

having a good amp gives you better sound quality along with a higher volume level, depends on the headphone's ohm level.

 

[cuba0555]

So having amp adds to a source with good SQ

 

[cuba0555]

So go for the I-pod then? There are a numerous amount of MP3 players for the $200 price range. It seems that each good MP3 player has their strength and weaknesses. I want to balance the both so that I can get a good primary player. I do own a Sansa Clip and I think it does have a better SQ then my brother's second gen Nano!

 

[Zephyron]

Amongst the ones listed, the 8GB iPod Nanoes are the most 'Ampable' friendly given the availability of LODs.

Just pair one and pair it up with a small enough quality amp if you want to, and you'll more or less have a DAP setup in a small package with a sound output that surpasses virtually most, or all DAPs out there in the market.

Video looks very crisp on the QVGA screen of the 3G Nano, easily matching the Cowon D2 screen in image quality and beating it out in crispness.

If you don't plan to amp, then just get the Fuze. Its slimmer than the Clip (though overall larger), has a better battery life and has MicroSDHC expansion (possible to add further 32GB space in the future).

To add onto that, that sound quality of the Fue is touted to be that same as the clip, which easily places it as one of the best sounding players in the market out there.

The Fuze's weakness however, is its video playback, which is merely an afterthough feature given what it lacks IMO.

 

[woopididi]

i didn't understand if you want to use an amp or not.. you really don't have to. if you need portability it's even worst, lol.
my suggestion is considering iPod only if you buy an amp. even if you buy an amp, there are a few more DAPs with line-outs. someone opened a thread here not too long about it, look into it.

 

[cuba0555]

No I don't need the amp now I still don't have a headphone that needs amperage. Like the HD650, AKG K701, or even the DENON D2000. Now I'm just looking for a IEM and player combo. The I-pod is nice because it has accessories like no tomorrow. The Samsung p2 is nice because of its larger display and bluetooth capable. The Crowon D2 its SQ, and expandable memory. The Sony for their acclaimed SQ. Even the Archos 605 for WiFi and stellar video playback.


My head hurts! .... and it looks like my wallet is about to jump out of my window!! .... BRB!!...To late. DAM! and it was a nice wallet to!;p

 

[HipHopScribe]

The Fuze is an excellent choice for great sound quality from the headphone output at an affordable price, and it has the added bonus of being expandable so it can grow with your collection.

 

[cuba0555]

I have a Clip and don't get me wrong I love them but I do find them a bit glitchy. I might try something new. But I do appreciate your opinion. Of all the players I listed the only one that I can't get soon is the Crowon D2 the rest I can get at BestBuy! For around $150.

 

[cuba0555]

BTW I have a Mac Book Pro and man is this thing picky about the things I try to use with it!! I had hell with my Clip to try and get it to work!!
And I'm still having problems. So capability also a factor?

 

[srozzman]

The fuze is mac compatable, since it is UMS, so ur computer would access it like a hard disk.

 

[Balis65]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuba0555 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Video is not important but good sound is a must.

If SQ is your most important criteria,

I would have to recommend the Sony as your #1 choice.

 

[wolfboy]

Macs will read the Sony player, but you won't be able to safely eject it (it'll reconnect instantly). You'll have to shut down your computer then take it out. Big hassle...I haven't seen anyone else mention it on the forum though, so maybe it's only an issue with my Macbook Pro.

iPod Nanos your safest choice compatibility-wise, SQ is weakest of your 4 choices though.