new player frustration

[leotnnz]

i am finding a new player. needs long battery life and prefer neutral sound and large soundstage. 
budget is limited under 150. my current candidates are narrowed down to: colorfly C3, iaudio 10, cowon c2.
 
what do you guys think about? and any other better choices? some of nice gears are not found in the
 market like sansa fuze and J3/S9. any one knows where to get these?
 
Thank you. 

 

[scuttle]

The new Fuze is generally hated, because of trackpad issues. Beside the players you mentioned, there is a possible cheap hack:
 
- Take a $30 Clip+
 
- Put Rockbox on it (google for this! it's alternative firmware)
 
- Battery life will now be around 25% greater, and the player will play while charging
 
- Carry an battery extender with you; these use AA cells (including rechargeables) to top your player's battery back up via the USB port:
 
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59511
 
You should be able to play the Clip even while it is charging from the AAs. Not as elegant a solution as a J3, but cheap and the SQ is excellent.
 
There's also this freaky Clip mod which should have 150 hours of battery life...
 
http://forums.rockbox.org/index.php?topic=28421.0
 
...even if it does like somewhat like an IED.

 

[Retrias]

How much is your budget?  You may want to try hifimans or the hisound rocco/n1 although from my impression of it i am not really sure you want the n1( its not neutral) 

 

[skamp]

The new Fuze is generally hated, because of trackpad issues.

Largely overblown, IMHO.

 

[scuttle]

Quote:

Largely overblown, IMHO.

 
At least once you Rockbox it and even then opinions seem split... From that thread:
 

 
Rockbox is the only reason the player is even remotely usable, and they have done a great job improving it. Even in the earlier RB builds, I still wanted to smash the one I had, but before I traded mine away, it was certainly a lot more usable.
 

 
Amazon feedback is much less favourable than for the Clip+ and the old Fuze too; a lukewarm 3 star average.