[Adgj533]

Hey everyone Im trying to buy a decent mp3 player and in ear headphones without breaking the bank. I have a lot of music in mp3 format and i read on some websites that flac files are better sounding than mp3 so i tried to test it out.
I got mp3 sample and flac sample from this website http://www.eclassical.com/pages/24-bit-faq.html
i got the soprano sample and tested mp3 and flac file playing through my logitech z550 5.1 surround sound system, couldnt tell the difference and Then I tried headphones. I used klipsch inear headphones. I know these are not good audio products but its what i got.
I couldnt notice or hear in this case, any difference at all and honestly I thought the audio mp3 sounded better than flac. can someone take a look at these samples and give it a try. tell me what area im missing out on.
Thanks

 

[PurpleAngel]

As your music collection is in mp3 format, not sure why your concerned about FLAC.
 
What is your budget for an mp3 player?

 

[Adgj533]

I want to spend under $300 for an mp3 player and inear headphones combined. so far I was looking x1 (2nd gen) and x3 (2nd gen) and 1MORE triple driver headphones or focal spear which one of these would be the better choice.
and I was looking at flac because I thought it had like studio quality when compared to mp3. I never heard anything in Flac so i wanted to know what I was missing out. Is there any noticeable difference in your opinion? because I cant hear a single thing thats different. and I heard it like 3-4 times.

 

[PurpleAngel]

My two cents and best guess.
For most people, using common everyday music source(s) and hardware, there is almost no noticeable difference, in audio quality, between a FLAC music audio file and a good quality mp3 music audio file.
If you were someone will to spend $1000 (or more) for headphones and a DAC and headphone amplifier and you have songs your very fanatical about, then maybe(?) FLAC might start to make more sense.
 
My preferred headphones (T90) retail for $470 and my DAC/amp for $300 (plugged into my PC)
95% of my music files are mp3
and the other 5% is FLAC files of music that is really special to me.
 
I feel no reason for spending more money to buy FLAC audio files
or buying Audio CDs and spending time making my own FLAC audio files, for which I might notice a small improvement in audio quality.

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

I suggest the fiio X1 and the RHA ma750. Great combo, I've been using it for a few months now. Great for a beginner set.
The fiio x1 has good software, a bit laggy at times though. The organization is fantastic though, easy to find everything. Not sure if that is because I am using iTunes aac files though, so ymmv.
The ma750 are incredibly durable with superb sub bass and good detail. A bit lacking in mid bass but it is only noticeable with certain genres. I feel like they fit metal and rock well though, and that is 90% of what I listen to. They come with a three year warranty as well.

 

[Adgj533]

I suggest the fiio X1 and the RHA ma750. Great combo, I've been using it for a few months now. Great for a beginner set.
The fiio x1 has good software, a bit laggy at times though. The organization is fantastic though, easy to find everything. Not sure if that is because I am using iTunes aac files though, so ymmv.
The ma750 are incredibly durable with superb sub bass and good detail. A bit lacking in mid bass but it is only noticeable with certain genres. I feel like they fit metal and rock well though, and that is 90% of what I listen to. They come with a three year warranty as well.

Oh i did come across that headphones, have you heard about 1MORE triple drivers and focal spheres? I did some research and some reviewers said these ones are better than the RHA ma750. i dont know if its true. I dont want to offend you or anything. its just something i read online. but I think i will get x1 1st gen probably, in your opinion, the sound quality is a lot better on x3 (2nd gen) when compared to x1 (1st gen)? or is it not that different. 

 

[PurpleAngel]

  Oh i did come across that headphones, have you heard about 1MORE triple drivers and focal spheres? I did some research and some reviewers said these ones are better than the RHA ma750. i don't know if its true. I don't want to offend you or anything. its just something i read online. but I think i will get x1 1st gen probably, in your opinion, the sound quality is a lot better on x3 (2nd gen) when compared to x1 (1st gen)? or is it not that different. 

 
I would assume you would want to get the newer FiiO X1 Gen 2.
 
For a given budget, better to spend more for the headphones (or IEMs), then the source (DAP or mp3 player).
So about $100 (for the FiiO X1 Gen 2) is about as much as you should commit to spending for a DAP.

 

[JK1]

   
I would assume you would want to get the newer FiiO X1 Gen 2.
 
For a given budget, better to spend more for the headphones (or IEMs), then the source (DAP or mp3 player).
So about $100 (for the FiiO X1 Gen 2) is about as much as you should commit to spending for a DAP.

The X1 Gen 2 has plenty of firmware issues. It might be a great player when those are resolved, but who knows how long that will take. I am waiting 11 months for Fiio to fix the firmware on their M3. The X1 gen 1 firmware is very stable, and gives me no problems. It doesn't have as many features as I would want(I want something like what Rockbox offers). Some who bought the X1 gen 2 have returned it, while others will patiently wait for the firmware to be fixed. I probably won't buy the X1 gen 2 this year unless it is at a large black Friday discount. Otherwise I will wait until next year to perhaps buy it, after its firmware has been perfected. That might not be so soon though, as it might take several months to fix.

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

Oh i did come across that headphones, have you heard about 1MORE triple drivers and focal spheres? I did some research and some reviewers said these ones are better than the RHA ma750. i dont know if its true. I dont want to offend you or anything. its just something i read online. but I think i will get x1 1st gen probably, in your opinion, the sound quality is a lot better on x3 (2nd gen) when compared to x1 (1st gen)? or is it not that different. 

Unfortunately I am still pretty new to the world of audio so the only real advice I can give you would be for the RHA. That being said, after they finally were done with their burn in period they blew me away with the SQ for $120. They are on the innerfidelity wall of fame as well, having retired the se215. The only problem they have is that they do require an extensive burn in period for the highs to settle and the mid-bass to come in fully. After probably close to 200 hours with them, I can say that I have absolutely no regrets about buying them.

 

[PurpleAngel]

 
The X1 Gen 2 has plenty of firmware issues. It might be a great player when those are resolved, but who knows how long that will take. I am waiting 11 months for Fiio to fix the firmware on their M3. The X1 gen 1 firmware is very stable, and gives me no problems. It doesn't have as many features as I would want(I want something like what Rockbox offers). Some who bought the X1 gen 2 have returned it, while others will patiently wait for the firmware to be fixed. I probably won't buy the X1 gen 2 this year unless it is at a large black Friday discount. Otherwise I will wait until next year to perhaps buy it, after its firmware has been perfected. That might not be so soon though, as it might take several months to fix.

 
You can install Rockbox on the Xduoo X3.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/782912/xduoo-x3-dsd-24bit-192khz-cs4398-chip-lossless-music-player
I've been looking at buying one myself.

 

[Adgj533]

thank you so much for the replies. I appreciate the time you guys took to explain all this to me. I am probably going to buy the x1 (1st gen)
the second gen people seem to say has many problems. I dont care for bluetooth or the new design. If the 1st gen is a solid device with good sound quality, I would gladly buy it.
again thanks.

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

No problem. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

 

[JK1]

   
You can install Rockbox on the Xduoo X3.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/782912/xduoo-x3-dsd-24bit-192khz-cs4398-chip-lossless-music-player
I've been looking at buying one myself.

I know about the Xdoo X3 being Rockboxable. I was referring to a player that would come with its default firmware being like Rockbox. It would be nice if a player maker makes an agreement with Rockbox and gives Rockbox the player specs ahead of time, so that Rockbox could be the default firmware that comes with the player. Having an add on firmware such as the way Rockbox is currently implemented complicates the matter as far as possible issues that might occur, and having Rockbox on the player voiding the warranty. I noticed for example on my Rockboxed ClipZip that transferring files to the player using Rockbox causes issues, and that I need to go back to the Sandisk firmware for transfers to not be problematic.

 

[buke9]

I want to spend under $300 for an mp3 player and inear headphones combined. so far I was looking x1 (2nd gen) and x3 (2nd gen) and 1MORE triple driver headphones or focal spear which one of these would be the better choice.
and I was looking at flac because I thought it had like studio quality when compared to mp3. I never heard anything in Flac so i wanted to know what I was missing out. Is there any noticeable difference in your opinion? because I cant hear a single thing thats different. and I heard it like 3-4 times.

As far as by being more studio quality you would need more studio equipment to hear it. I have some pretty good gear and it is hard to tell the difference between a well recorded high bit rate MP3 and CD's on somethings. I have a few 24 bit albums that I have on CD also and there is just a few things I pick out that I hear on one and not the other. Headphones , amp and Dac in that order gets the most change in sound to me.

 

[Adgj533]

hey guys i was doing a little more research before ordering and found another DAP called Cowon Plenue D. Is this better in sound quality than the x3 (2nd gen)
i know the plenue is little bit more expensive but is it worth?