[Sparda]

i think the Samsung line up would do you good, it has everything you requested and more. However, it might be a bit costlier than the competition.

 

[Jimbo3b]

My criteria list was similar to yours; went with Cowon D2. I like the sound quality, especially with flac files or ogg at a high quality (Q7 or Q8). For syncing I just drag and drop--the computer sees the D2 as a hard drive.

Size of the base unit doesn't matter as much when you can plug in another SD card.

 

[jsedgwick]

Well, folks, I think I've narrowed it down to the Creative Zen vs Cowon D2. Can you guys give me a compare/contrast?

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rr423 /img/forum/go_quote.gif the cowon d2 is only an average sounding player though

So what is above-average sound player in ur opinion ???

 

[gjc10212]

Quote:

Originally Posted by soozieq /img/forum/go_quote.gif The NW-S7xx series and upwards - NWA8xx and NWZA8xx are not volume capped. But earlier models were: A3000, NW-HD5 etc. I disabled the limiter on my HD5 and it was fine, but it's nice to know it's not necessary anymore. My A808 was purchased within the EU and it plays very very loud!

European standards imposed recently mean that personal audio products now have volume limits set to these products. Since this standard has been introduced all Sony Walkmans have a maximum 100db. The regulation code for this European standard is "EN50332-1*".

Unfortunately, there is no firmware available to alter this and we are unable to advise on any modification to the Walkman that will increase the volume output level as Sony United Kingdom Limited as we will not authorise, nor become involved in, any modifications that will change the set specification of a product, for safety reasons.

source: http://www.avforums.com/forums/showt...ght=818+volume

 

[gjc10212]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lil' Knight /img/forum/go_quote.gif x2 Very well-rounded MP3 player

Iaudio D2 DAB is the same as the D2 just with DAB function, its an excellent MP3/PMP device.

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gjc10212 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Iaudio D2 DAB is the same as the D2 just with DAB function, its an excellent MP3/PMP device.

I can't agree more

Amazing SQ and incredible battery life. Mine is only 4gb

I wish I'd bought a 8gb version

My FLACs are killing my tiny D2.

 

[shigzeo]

hey mate. i see we use the same phones - atrio m5. they are a blessing as they sound wonderful and are not as hissy as other iems on the market.

i will suggest ( i have not read more than the 1st page of this thread as it is far past my bedtime ) the meizu m6. it is excellent sounding player though i have not used it for months now. it is small (a little bigger than the ipod nano) and has a nice screen that is great though not perfect for movies.

it is a no frills sound unlike what is mentioned earlier by some, the d2. the d2 is all about sound effects and how you can distort your music while still sounding like the same artist created it. the only problem with meizu is that maybe artwork is not supported.

i used itunes with it (8gb) and just copied the songs i wanted directly from itunes via drag and drop to the meizu music folder. i never used any sort of soft that came with the meizu. eventually however, the only problem that i found was that is hissed like iriver players. though the sound quality was amazing with large headphones that are not too sensitive, iems sounded good but hissed.

even atrio hiss with meizu. i think if you are interested in no frills sound, please consider this baby. it is quite hifi oriented with great eq that does not rely on wow or srs or jet super thunder effect. it is plain and usable like a home hifi with a few extras.

i have the cowon d2 as well and while that has a powerful and relatively quiet amp, it is too tailored and too littl like the original cd form a nice source. the sound is good if you like processed.

that said, i like the sound of modern ipods so that shows you that i like a more neutral sound free of processing and extra imaging. thus,,, meizu is a great choice. cheers.

EDIT: i want to say for the record that i like the idea of the d2, but in the end it fell short of every expectation i have had. it is too bright, too processed and too big for its capacity. my pocket is overloaded with it. its output from mp3 versus wav or flac is quite different as well. i am sorry, i cannot find the link to the testing... i am lame.

it sounds good but... it is very much like the girl from next door who is fat but has a good make up job. the player is huge compared to anything else and it is for the battery i guess but... many people suffer from nowhere near the spec'd battery life of 52 hours. i have never had more than 33 hours and usually get in between 24 and 30. overall, it is a great piece of advertisement that i think does not live up to any hype whatsoever. the recording is very noisy and fm radio is bad. it only records in wma versus meizu mp3 etc etc etc.

if you want it, go ahead, it is not bad, but by far not the be all end all of small portable players. i would place it in the misplaced department.