[cheezburger]

Hello guys, I have already made a post like this, but then I figured out it is in a wrong sub-forum, so I'm reposting it.
I have finally got some money together for my first portable rig (using Fischer Audio FA-764 + Nokia 5530 - i guess that just isn't serious)! The budget is around $200 - $250. I listen to classical rock, alternative rock, a little metal, electronic (not dance or anything, so bass is not the main criteria), a little jazz.
P.S.: from what I've read in ClieOS's epic thread, i would prefer a more "analytical" sound.
P.P.S.: forgot to say, I prefer IEMs.
Thank you in advance for your help and please excuse me for my English.
   

 

[cheezburger]

To bump the thread, I'd like to show you what I've considered:
Source: Sansa Clip+ ($52)
Nationite NaNite N2 ($55) or in a bundle with Brainwavz M2
IEMs: Brainwazvz B2 ($140 on pre-order) or M2 (from that bundle)
Hifiman Re-Zero ($110)
Phonak PFE 122 (haven't found a store to buy them reasonable-priced with international shipping)
SoundMAGIC PL-50 ($55)

 

[DSF767]

For around $250 this is what I would recommend the Cowon J3 + MEEIlectrionics A151's
 
The 151's use BA driver and are similar to the PL50's with a much better build quality.
 
The Cowon J3 has some of the best SQ around.
 
J3: http://www.amazon.com/COWON-Portable-Media-Player-White/dp/B003JME322/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1302486732&sr=8-3
 
A151's: http://www.amazon.com/MEElectronics-A151-BK-Balanced-Armature-Headphones/dp/B004OBZ2XQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1302486754&sr=8-1
 
If you wanted something a little smaller then the J3 you could go with the Cowon i9 still bigger then the Clip+ and NaNite but smaller then the J3 but still getting the great SQ from Cowon.
 
i9: http://www.amazon.com/Cowon-iAUDIO-MP3-Player-Black/dp/B002Y5XRE0/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1302487148&sr=1-6
 
As for price the J3 + 151's are $261.37 which is right around your $250 mark.
 
The i9 + 151's are at $189 which is a little bellow you $200 mark

 

[Berkovajazz]

Sansa Clip plus + dba-02

 

[cheezburger]

DSF767, thank you, but that's a little bit off the budget as I'm not from neither USA nor W. Europe, so I need international shipping.
Btw, maybe it is possible to get similar SQ but without those big screenees, as I own a tablet for media playing.
Berkovjazz, thank you.

 

[TekeRugburn]

i would say.... fuze/clip+ Ibasso T3 with re-zero/re0...if fuze use a LOD...portable, equalizer, and good sound

 

[Enanthate]

If you can squeeze the extra 25 bucks, this would be my inexpensive portable rig.

Sansa Fuze 1st gen. 4gb.($60)
+
Fiio L6 line out dock($15)
+
Ibasso T3($120)
+
Head direct RE-0($80)
=
Analytical audio bliss

 

[Enanthate]

i would say.... fuze/clip+ Ibasso T3 with re-zero/re0...if fuze use a LOD...portable, equalizer, and good sound

Lol...Great minds think alike. You beat me to it

 

[cheezburger]

TekeRugburn, Enanthate, thank you!

 

[munkyballz]

Pick up a Clip or Fuze, I wouldn't even bother with a Line Out for the Fuze either, should cost under $50 bucks.  Pick up an 8 or 16 GB uSD card ($10-50 bucks), and then with the $150 or so left over, I would actually try to maybe look at the Panasonic HJE-900's (used for around $100), even if they're not the most analytical, I think their signature goes very well with your preferred genres.
 
If you really want analytical, maybe look for the older version of the Sunrise Xcapes (used for around $80), as they are analytical but seems like they would sound more fun than the RE-Zeros.  And of course there's the RE-Zeros too, as suggested above ($80), though you might need an amp to drive those.   

 

[cheezburger]

I've made some calculations and found out that shipping and different fees really do cost a lot, so I'm setting the gap at $150 - $200. Now, to the topic:
 
Quote:

If you can squeeze the extra 25 bucks, this would be my inexpensive portable rig.

Sansa Fuze 1st gen. 4gb.($60)
+
Fiio L6 line out dock($15)
+
Ibasso T3($120)
+
Head direct RE-0($80)
=
Analytical audio bliss

That is definately too much, maybe I could use a cheaper amp or just go ahead without one?

 


Quote:

Pick up a Clip or Fuze, I wouldn't even bother with a Line Out for the Fuze either, should cost under $50 bucks.  Pick up an 8 or 16 GB uSD card ($10-50 bucks), and then with the $150 or so left over, I would actually try to maybe look at the Panasonic HJE-900's (used for around $100), even if they're not the most analytical, I think their signature goes very well with your preferred genres.
 
If you really want analytical, maybe look for the older version of the Sunrise Xcapes (used for around $80), as they are analytical but seems like they would sound more fun than the RE-Zeros.  And of course there's the RE-Zeros too, as suggested above ($80), though you might need an amp to drive those.   

Thank you, but I think it won't be an easy task to find those reasonably priced and available for international shiping.
And btw, MP4Nation says NaNite N2 has some "MAX9722 headphone amplifier chip". Maybe it is okay for driving those Re0/B2/DBA-02/whatever?

 

[bocur]

Iriver clix2+soundmagic A10+your choosen iems

 

[cheezburger]

 
Quote:

Iriver clix2+soundmagic A10+your choosen iems

Thanks for the suggestion, but that is way too much: clix2 costs $100, a10 costs $70, which leaves just $80 for the iems. That isn't enogh even for the Re0's.
I have a feeling that clix2 is so pricy because of its screen. Maybe you could suggest some other source (I've already stated that I don't need anything from it - just music playback) or it may be a good idea to use it with Fuze/Clip/N2?
Btw, what do you think of FiiO L7? Costs $90, still cheaper then iBasso.

 

[TekeRugburn]

and use the for sale forums on head-fi...stuff goes for cheap sometimes

 

[cheezburger]

Unfortunately, most sellers aren't willing to ship internationally.
 

Spoiler: offtopic

A few hours ago an underground station was blown up in Minsk, Belarus. Two stations were separating me from the explsion. Terrifying feelings. you know.