[TheDreamthinker]

But, its impossible to mod the cowon. I Need functionality and good sq. That doesn't seem to exist.

 

[qusp]

there is the aleXmod, which is a cowon X5L with a PCM1798 (1794A in some) added on a daughter board and rockboxed. also has new headphone amp, battery and power supply circuitry installed and this is then connected to the host via i2s and i2c. not a project I would recommend for someone who is asking the type of questions you are (no offense, just an observation) but you can but them from alex ready made, though mostly you must source the X5L first.
 
i'm unsure what the functionality is you are looking for though, to get truly high end audio hardware in a portable, you must make it pretty large due to the power supply needs. youve said no to the hifimans, what exactly is it you want?

 

[TheDreamthinker]

No prob. i'm somehow still a newbie...
 
I don't (yet) need something like a HM 801. 
 
something with many useful functions and good sq....
 
itouch 4g or cowon j3 thats what i thought....
 

 

[Jung Woo Cho]

U can get iMod instead and buy a better quality DAC. What iMod does is that it bypasses ipod's internal dac and bring the signal directly into the whatever dac u are using.

 

[pcf]

Get something like the Wadia iTransport or Onkyo ND-S1 to put between your ipod/iphone/ipad and any  DAC you want.