Help me choose Portable MP3 with extras

[Blasted]

Hello,

I'm new to head-fi, even though I've been lurking around for a while, which made me learn quite some interesting stuff, specially regarding amps and phones. I'm now looking for a new MP3 player to replace my OLD MuVos (I needn't a MP3 player for the last years, until now).

The MP3 player I'm looking for needs to work both as a portable, daily player to use in commutes home-work, but also to work as a "normal" bedroom audio system, resting attached to a dock with decent-sounding speakers. I don't need anything top-notch regarding the dock part, just something that can play some background music while I'm lying around in the bedroom, and some loud sound in the morning to wake me up. This said, a crucial function I need is the Alarm Clock.

Update: I'm also going to use this MP3 player with a Mini3 amp connectec to a 2.0 stock car audio speakers.

I'm willing to fork something around 80-100€ for this player. I might go a little over this value if I can get really cheap speakers/dock to use it with. Obviously, I'm looking for the most bang for the buck

Basically, by order of importance:
.Portable MP3 Player
.Good Sound Quality (something worth of using with KSC-75)
.Alarm Clock function
.File Folder Browsing
.Possibility to use with a docking station with decent SQ (looking for recommendation on which dock/speakers too)(I might just buy a simple decent 2.1 speaker system and plug the MP3 player there)
.FM Radio
.2GB disk space (at very least)
.Easy to navigate through songs


I can't test any of the MP3 players around here before I buy them, so I really appreciate any and all advice you can give me. I'm also looking for some suggestions on the "docking station" to get along with this. Thanks!

 

[breakfastchef]

Take a look at Cowon (iAudio) D2 and iAudio7. Both are decnt players with adequate headphone output to give you thrills.

 

[Blasted]

(...)

 

[Blasted]

I updated the first post with more relevant information.

 

[Joshatdot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blasted /img/forum/go_quote.gif ~snip~ Basically, by order of importance: .Portable MP3 Player .Good Sound Quality (something worth of using with KSC-75) .Alarm Clock function .Possibility to use with a docking station with decent SQ (looking for recommendation on which dock/speakers too) .FM Radio .2GB disk space (at very least) .Easy to navigate through songs ~snip~!

Cowon iAudio 7
1. check
2. check
3. check
4. none I know of
5. check
6. 4G/8G/16G
7. EZ after afew mins getting used to the Slider

 

[Blasted]

Thanks for the hint Josh! I've taken a look at iAudio 7, and it looks like what I'm looking for. However, I've read around - some here - that it's sound is not the best because its processed. I have not much clue about how different that would sound. You own one, what do you think?
I went on a search to find a dock for it too, but couldn't. Maybe I should just buy a 2.1 home speaker system and plug it.

I gave a quick look at some alternatives, too. There's Creative Zen 4Gb at ~120€, iAudio 7 at ~120€ (hard to find around here), Sony A816 at ~130€.
I've read that Sony's sound is great, and for just 10€ I might do it instead of the iAudio. I don't know if Sony has Alarm Clock though, anyone with one could clarify me on this? I might also find the S616 instead of the A816, which would come a little less expensive. I don't see much difference between both expect on the looks, am I right?

On the cheaper side, I've an eye on Sansa Clips, coming off at ~60€. I'm not sure about the navigation system of it though. How does the playlisting works on this one?

My main concerns right now are figuring out the differences in SQ between each of these models (and eventually others), since I have no way to hear/use them before I buy. I also find almost no information if any given player has or not an Alarm Clock. For instance, the SQ between the Sansa Clip and the A816 makes it worth paying double the price?

As for the docking/speaker systems, I guess I will have to eventually buy some nice, simple 2.1 speaker system and plug it to line-out/headphone jack of my MP3. I'm building a mini3 amp, which I could use to give it an edge.

Sucks being cheap (specially after trying some real SQ phones), but that's what I have to live with for now.

 

[Joshatdot]

processed sound in the iA7... ? to an extent all DAPs process the sound out of a headphone jack because of the volume control. Where did you read it processes the sound out? in what way?

Sony A81* series have been flavor of the month (well almost 3 months). I have not listened to them, but I did not get one because they have a low output 5mW+5mW (10mW total), compared to the iA7's 26mW+26mW (52mW total). Also the iA7 plays FLAC, has 60 hour battery time, and is a UMS/MSC device. AFAIK, the Sony's are managed thru Sony software, and 20 hour? battery.

 

[eiop]

The Sony's are drag and drop players, and have ~30 hour battery life. That said, the Cowan would not be an inferior choice at all, seeing as how it plays FLAC and I'm sort of regretting my decision to go with the Sony (but the regret goes away when I listen to it

)

 

[Qosmio]

Go with cowon it's a great DAP without port amp..

 

[stuge(original)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshatdot /img/forum/go_quote.gif the Sony's are managed thru Sony software, and 20 hour? battery.

No,Need to use Sony software for new A81x series .just drag and drop .

 

[Blasted]

I've been off, so I could only read carefully your replies now. Thanks for your input.

So far, i'm undecided between iAudio 7 and A816/A818. I'm leaning more towards the Sonys though, mainly because I was able to have one in hand and loved the design, and still couldn't find the iAudio anywhere around me. On eBay etc, they are considerably more expensive than the Sonys. (I can find them for 60-90 pounds, while the iAudio hardly goes below 130) The only problem is the lack of FM radio, and I'm used to getting up to the sound of radio =) Other thing I found necessary is the ability to do some File Folder browsing.

Adding some more details to the topic: I'm considering do some minor tweaks on my car so I can connect the MP3 player to its sound system (2 basic speakers with no amp). I've tried this in the past with the MuVo, and the problem was volume level - even with MuVo at max vol, I couldn't hear much on the speakers. In the meanwhile, I'm getting a Mini3 amp soon, which I could adapt to use in the car. Would be good if the MP3 player I buy works well with it, so I can get some MP3 in my car. It's a simple 2.0 speaker system, I will post the specs asap.

 

[sheffsteel]

Joshatdot said

Sony A81* series have been flavor of the month (well almost 3 months). I have not listened to them, but I did not get one because they have a low output 5mW+5mW (10mW total), compared to the iA7's 26mW+26mW (52mW total).

I've also seen the specs that the Sony is only 10mW total.

However trust me the Sony A810* is really loud. I can only handle 75% volume, on 100% volume it will burst your ear drums.

Put it this way with the same ear phones (Shure E4c's) the Sony is much louder that the Creative Vision:M and Ipod Nano 3G, both these players I would often have at 100% volume, whereas with the Sony I could only handle 75% volume.

I've recently upgraded to the UE10 triple.fi and they are definately louder (more sensitive) than the Shures E4c's. Now the Ipod Nano is really loud on 100% but still bearable and not as loud as the Sony's.

 

[konya]

dont buy a COWON.I am a d2 owner.Sound is not natural.Its sound is cold and illbalanced.too bassy.

and fm radio reception is very very poor all of COWONs.