Mp3 flash players with best SQ for under $200???

[mlgreen]

Hi, i'm pretty new to the whole portable mp3 thing and have decided to get a flash player as my first mp3 player so I can use it to workout with (later down the line I will go all out and get a HD mp3 player with all the bells and whistles

). Anyway, I know SQ is subjective, btu i'm looking for flash mp3 players that are regarded as having the best SQ. It has to retail for under $200 and be able to have an external amp hooked up to it (i'll get one somewhere down the line). It also must have at least 1 GB of memory, and I prefer it to use replacable AA/AAA batteries, but that's not too important. Doesn't have to be all jazzy looking with a color display (must have a display though), i'm mainly going for SQ here. I may just go on and get an Ipod Nano since that seems to be the flash player of choice around here (from my short time here reading). Thanks for any replies guys!

 

[mlgreen]

I forgot to mention, I would prefer it be able to drive a pair of good quality in ear headphones (haven't decided which of these to get yet, that's another thread) out of the box as well, but as I said I plan on getting an external amp so that's not too much of an importance. I hope i'm not asking for a lot for $200 bucks or under

 

[LaBreaHead]

You should at least consider the Cowon iAudio flash players -- you have a degree of choice there:

iAudio 5: One AAA battery (two jog dials)
iAudio G3 or G2: One AA battery (joy stick)
iAudio U2/U3: Built-in battery (joy stick)

They have excellent sound, with the capability of adjusting it to your ears' delight.

 

[mlgreen]

Thanks for the reply. Do these players have a line out for an amp?

 

[aice]

The Shuffle sounds great, but it probably has too many comprimises for you.

 

[mlgreen]

Yeah, I definately need something with a screen. How's the Ipod Nano's SQ? Anybody have any other suggestions? Thanks for the replies, keep em coming!

 

[sleepyh0b0]

to add on about the iaudio G3...

it's a bit bigger than the others, but it has ~50 hours of playback

 

[mlgreen]

Hmm, so after doing some research i've narrowed it down to the iaudio 5, iaudio g3 or Ipod Nano. At this point i'm gonna get whichever is cheapest and has a line out (the iaudio 5 is the cheapest). Do the iaudios have a line out?

 

[cerbie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlgreen Thanks for the reply. Do these players have a line out for an amp?

No, but the headphone out is good. As far as I can hear, my I5 surpasses my sound card's line outputs, and is indistinguishable(sp) from the Squeezebox's output (RCA->1/8"), with the Supermini-3 (I imagine that my having E3c as the most detailed headphone might be a limiting factor in the last comparison).

 

[mlgreen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cerbie No, but the headphone out is good. As far as I can hear, my I5 surpasses my sound card's line outputs, and is indistinguishable(sp) from the Squeezebox's output (RCA->1/8"), with the Supermini-3 (I imagine that my having E3c as the most detailed headphone might be a limiting factor in the last comparison).

Sweet, i didn't know I could use the headphone out for an amp! I imagine it won't be as good SQ as using a lineout, but this is gonna be my workout rig so it should suffice. I more than likely will be going with the Iaudio 5. Since you own it, could you give a rundown on the pros and cons of the I audio 5, such as UI, battery life, durability, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlgreen Sweet, i didn't know I could use the headphone out for an amp! I imagine it won't be as good SQ as using a lineout, but this is gonna be my workout rig so it should suffice. I more than likely will be going with the Iaudio 5. Since you own it, could you give a rundown on the pros and cons of the I audio 5, such as UI, battery life, durability, etc. Thanks in advance.

I could help you but my iAudio is still in the USPS mail universe.

 

[mlgreen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by apnk I could help you but my iAudio is still in the USPS mail universe.

Congrads on your purchase, where did you buy it from and how much? I just found it on Amazon for $128 with free shipping which seems to be an excellent deal. I'll be ordering this tomorrow.

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlgreen Congrads on your purchase, where did you buy it from and how much? I just found it on Amazon for $128 with free shipping which seems to be an excellent deal. I'll be ordering this tomorrow.

I bought it used for $90 (1 gig BTW).

Anyway that price seems good, I have seen them in that $130ish price range.