Making the switch to DAP

[pleeb]

Okay, well, since this thing just made me lose my entire post, I'll try to make it shorter.

I'm completely new to the DAP scene, and most audio equipment, for that matter, so I'm a bit uninformed when it comes to this kind of stuff. I also don't know much about the technical aspects of audio equipment.

I'm looking for a DAP that has: very good sound quality; (hopefully) 20 GB of storage space; an interface that's fairly easy to use or easy to learn; and good battery life. An FM tuner would be a nice addition. I'm also looking for a player that will actually benefit from using high-end head/canalphones and a headphone amp if later I decide I want to spend the money to get better sound. As you can tell, I'm by no means knowledgeable, but my ears are trained enough to know what sounds good and what doesn't.

I've been looking around and the ones that seem to be okay for most of my criteria have been the iRiver H320 and the iAudio M3/L, and I'm really leaning towards the M3L because it seems to have everything I want, plus the extended battery life.

I don't know how the sound quality is on the devices or how they compare to each other, but I also know that sound quality can be subjective in most cases. I'd just like to hear how other people think the sound quality is on different devices. I'm also wondering about the sound quality "out of the box" (included headphones).

Does anyone have any alternate suggestions or experience with these/other players? Any idea if headphone amps/higher-end headphones can be used with the M3L and if it gains much from them? I'm just concerned about upgradability, as the player itself will probably eat up my current budget. Thanks for the help.

And yeah, this post is actually about half the size of the last one I typed up. Sorry.

 

[toaster]

ipod-sensaphonics.

if you add an amp it gets better, but once you hear it, you probably won't be able to stop listening long enough to buy an amp.

 

[pleeb]

I just noticed someone else posted a thread almost exactly like this. Wow, my first post on this forum was really original.

 

[IstariAsuka]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pleeb I just noticed someone else posted a thread almost exactly like this. Wow, my first post on this forum was really original.

Yo, don't worry about it.

Oh, and a fair number meet your requirements, especially if you're willing to forgo the FM requirement. iPod and Karma, for instance.

And if you're leaning towards the M3L, their next generation of DAPs is about to hit, so you may want to wait for those.

 

[pleeb]

[edit]Did I mention I can be fairly long-winded? Guess not...[/edit]

Like I mentioned earlier, I was considering the H320 before as well, but apparently the sound is supposed to be a lot better on the M3. As for FM support, yeah, it's not really needed, it would just be a nice extra. My budget limit is probably no more than about $440/450 CDN (around $350 US).

Yeah, I took a quick scan of the photos for the M5/X5 earlier. I kind of prefer the flatness and minimalist look of the M3, and the remote seems like a better idea for me than having everything on the device itself. If I got a different player, I might have to get a remote for it anyway. But, maybe the newer models have a better navigation system or something. I'm kind of clueless as to what the technical details and improvements are supposed to be on the new models. The only differences I currently know about are the screen on the device, image viewing and video playback, none of which I'd likely use. The new models may also be above my price-range right now.

I was actually looking at the Karma at first, mainly because it was a cheaper alternative. But, there are a couple of concerns I have with it. I don't really care for its dimensions. It seems a bit thick. I'll probably be carrying the player around in my pants pocket unless I get a backpack with a compartment for a player. The other thing is, I don't know if it has any features that the M3L doesn't. Also, isn't the Karma's only line-out on its dock? The M3L has a line-out on that mini-adapter thing, which is a bit more portable than the Karma solution. But, if the Karma is a lot better as far as SQ/potential sound quality is concerned, I might have to make a decision on which is more important.

As far as iPod is concerned, it seems like the average battery life isn't that long when you're playing higher quality files (but that seems to be the case with all the hard-drive players). It also doesn't look like the 20GB version comes with anything except the player and headphones. Is the audio quality better, and is it any better than the M3L would be? The M3L apparently has support for FLAC now, although it seems only at lower compression.

Like I said, sound quality is a big concern for me, but if there isn't a real noticeable difference between the quality of these devices, then... yeah. I don't know. I've been leaning to the M3L because it seems to have all the features I want, plus sound quality that some of the reviews say is about the best you can get in a DAP. Er, also, when I talk of the sound quality, I mean hopefully without needing any, or at least too many, effects or use of the EQ (unless that's a necessary evil for all audio players).

Yeah... maybe the M3 is just dominating my thoughts and logic right now. I don't have to get a player right now. If there are newer models which are going to be better, then I can wait and see what people think of them as well.

 

[Spadge]

How about the iRiver H320/H340?

I own one and love it.

I've read conflicting reports about it's quality but with my equipment (See sig) I'm more than happy.

Paul

 

[Girdag]

Quote:

I don't know if it has any features that the M3L doesn't

Gapless playback? A very important feature, IMO. As to the pocket thing - it fits fine in my jeans pocket. Unless you have REALLY tight jeans, it'll be fine.

 

[pleeb]

Gapless isn't that important for me. I tend to use shuffle or just randomize my playlists.

What's the difference between RCA, optical, and analog line-outs? I've noticed that the Karma is supposed to have an RCA line-out (unfortunately for me, on the dock), whereas something like the H120 has optical and the M3 has analog. I've been trying to find the best sound quality that's portable, which is why I've been discounting things like the Karma and iPod, which look like they require their docks to use the line-out.

 

[tolsk]

yeah if your thinking of the iaudio m3 you might wanna wait for the iaudio x5 close to the same thing but with color screen and can play video. heard the 20gb version is retailing for about 280$

 

[pleeb]

Yeah, from the reviews I've been reading and different posts on forums and whatnot, I think I've pretty much decided on the high-end iAudio line unless anyone can give me some points as to why I shouldn't or why there's a better player. I mean, I can try to find somewhere where I can try out the different players and compare them, but I don't have any hi-fi equipment to test them with, so it would probably be fairly pointless. I'm kind of forced to go by reviews and general opinion.

This is probably more of a subjective thing... I don't know how the sound of the Zen Touch compares to any of the others, but someone on another forum posted that the sound quality of the M3 is almost as good as the Touch when flat, but it's supposed to be better than the Touch when using EQ/effects. Are equalizers and effects basically a "necessary evil" with all players?

Now that I've had a little time to think, I am considering the upcoming models as well. I kind of like the black colour of the newer ones over the plain aluminum of the M3/L, but I don't care much for the protruding screens. The little navigation stick looks kind of weird as well. If I do go with a newer model, it'll probably be the M5 series. I just don't think I'd use any player for photos or movies. If I want to watch movies, I'll probably end up looking at laptops.

I'm trying to contemplate whether or not I'd actually need the extra battery life from the L models. It's somewhere around an extra $40 US, and I don't know how badly I'd need that extra 15 or so hours if I'm going to be able to recharge it every day once I get home. It might be useful on car/plane trips or something, but just for regular use, it might be pointless. Unless the battery life is significantly lower when you're playing higher-quality/lossless files, in which case I might stick with an L model. Just have to look out for reviews of the X5/M5 in English.

A concern I have with the M3, from comments made in reviews, is that it gets choppy/stuttery while using its effects at the higher volume levels. But, then again, if I want to get the best sound that's closest to the source as possible, I'd probably want to stay away from those effects. Am I right in assuming that? The other concern is that apparently the text on the remote is tiny.

Unfortunately for me, a lot of players aren't available where I live. Best Buy and Future Shop tend to be the only places that really carry players. I know for a fact they don't carry the iAudio players there, and I doubt I'd be able to find things like the Karma there. It's pretty much iPod, Zen, and a few low-quality products. I can order online, but I'd like to have the option to purchase an extended warranty. Anyone know of any online stores that offer that?