[electro house]

In your opinion, what is the ultimate IEM and portable MP3 player ever?

Criteria: SQ, Dependability, User friendly.

IEM price limit: $500

MP3 price limit: $500

Heh, maybe this will save me money in the long run - I can bypass all the lesser products. I know how I am -- I may as well as admit that I want to get the best portable unit out there. No, I'm not rich. But my credit cards have high limits. At least I'll be listening to great music as I work to pay off the equipment!

I realize this place is primarily for headphones, but the 2 units are intertwined, and any anecdotal info would be appreciated... thank you!

 

[shiezan]

probably a shure e500 or ultimate ear triple.fi 10 + kenwood hd30gb9

both IEMs can be found for 400 and under and the kenwood is around 450 - 500 US dollars.

 

[choariwap]

can you stretch a little more?

MP3 player: redwine audio IMOD $479.00 (anywhere in the USA)
http://www.redwineaudio.com/iMod.html

IEM: UE5c 550$
http://www.ultimateears.com/custom/C...r-Monitors.htm

now for the stretch, headphone amp of your choice...
i recommend xin supermicro iv for small size and great sound at 179$
over at http://fixup.net/products/index.htm

with no stretch, get yourself a cmoy for a couple of bills

 

[KrooLism]

iAudio X5 -> Emmeline Hornet M -> ER4S

The amp and phones just synergise so well with each other. Better than most other combinations I have tried.

X5 decodes lossless, ogg and tonnes of other formats.

 

[nickknutson]

iMod > Xin Supermicro IV > E500
$479 + $185 + $350 = $1014

 

[mastercheif]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickknutson /img/forum/go_quote.gif iMod > Xin Supermicro IV > E500 $479 + $185 + $350 = $1014

X2, tough, you will need to add a Line Out cable in there. My recomindation is one from http://www.aloaudio.com

 

[MD1032]

Yeah, can't go wrong with an X5, plus I'm sure they're cheaper right now than they were. I love mine. For an IEM, UM2's, E500's, or higher.

 

[artears]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD1032 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah, can't go wrong with an X5, plus I'm sure they're cheaper right now than they were. I love mine. For an IEM, UM2's, E500's, or higher.

I aggree with IEM suggestions, but as an owner of X5, I can say that you can indeed go wrong with this. I cannot say anything bad about its sound and its features, but I hate that it does not have user replaceable batteries. The battery life decreases a lot after 2 years.