Shure SE530 and ....

[Xephyr]

To all Shure SE530 owners...what MP3 player are you currently using?? Just curious because I have been looking around for a new MP3 player but I don't really know what would work well with my SE530s. Just want some recommendations on what MP3 players are good. Things I don't want on a MP3 player: requiring specific softwares to transfer (ie IPod, Zune, etc etc) and I would like it to have a sleek design to it (sleek like an IPod, to be honest, if IPod didn't require ITunes for transfer I would buy an IPod in a heartbeat). Music is the most important thing so I would like the player to have very very good sound quality. I have been looking at the Samsung YP-P2 for a while now...I was wondering if I can also get some feedback on the player?? Only thing I don't like bout the P2 is the storage capacity.

 

[dhc0329]

I myself am currently using Kenwood HD60GD9EC and Zen 32GB. I have no complaint about SQ on both devices. Kenwood unit has an excellent SQ but maybe over-priced imho. If you think Ipod's SQ is acceptable, I don't believe you will have any problem with any of devices in the current market. As for me, I couldn't tolerate the Ipod b/c of horrible base distortion with SE530.

People in these forum said so much good things about Sony A8xx and Cowon D2 although I haven't actually tried the units myself with SE530.

 

[ceres]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhc0329 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I myself am currently using Kenwood HD60GD9EC and Zen 32GB. I have no complaint about SQ on both devices. Kenwood unit has an excellent SQ but maybe over-priced imho. If you think Ipod's SQ is acceptable, I don't believe you will have any problem with any of devices in the current market. As for me, I couldn't tolerate the Ipod b/c of horrible base distortion with SE530. People in these forum said so much good things about Sony A8xx and Cowon D2 although I haven't actually tried the units myself with SE530.

The NZW A8xx would accentuate the characteristics of SE 530, D2 and Classic complement them. I wouldn´t advise to buy any other ipod than the Classic or 1st gen shuffle for headphone out use. As you truthfully pointed out the SE 530 are a bit on the darker side and inflate bass a bit. Hence it is vital that the player attached to it delivers high quality, precisely contoured bass to begin with. Otherwise you won´t be happy.

 

[Cowon_1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xephyr /img/forum/go_quote.gif To all Shure SE530 owners...what MP3 player are you currently using?? Just curious because I have been looking around for a new MP3 player but I don't really know what would work well with my SE530s. Just want some recommendations on what MP3 players are good. Things I don't want on a MP3 player: requiring specific softwares to transfer (ie IPod, Zune, etc etc) and I would like it to have a sleek design to it (sleek like an IPod, to be honest, if IPod didn't require ITunes for transfer I would buy an IPod in a heartbeat). Music is the most important thing so I would like the player to have very very good sound quality. I have been looking at the Samsung YP-P2 for a while now...I was wondering if I can also get some feedback on the player?? Only thing I don't like bout the P2 is the storage capacity.

I have the Sony 616 and it doesn't sound that great with my Shure's...I also have the Cowon D2 and it sounds awesome with them.
I had the Samsung P2 and returned it, it didn't sound good no matter what phones you used.

 

[Xephyr]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowon_1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the Sony 616 and it doesn't sound that great with my Shure's...I also have the Cowon D2 and it sounds awesome with them. I had the Samsung P2 and returned it, it didn't sound good no matter what phones you used.

Care to elaborate why the P2 didn't sound good??

 

[Cowon_1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zephyr /img/forum/go_quote.gif Care to elaborate why the P2 didn't sound good??

Not exactly sure zephyr of what makes one dap sound better or worse than others. I think it's just a a combination of certain components and the way those certain components are combined. Not sure anyone knows exactly the reason one dap sounds one way and another sounds another way.

 

[The_X]

The SE530 sounded incredible with my A2, although sadly I do not own it anymore. I think it would sound just as good with other Cowon DAP's.

 

[straden]

meizu m6 looks sleek, some say its SQ is also good.
sony 616 looks good to me
d2 looks too thick but has nice features

 

[mrrookie]

rockbox'd 5.5g ipod here.

You should've read about the hiss issue by now, and yes, it is there with the apple firmware but once i installed rockbox, it just plain dissapeared, i can no longer hear it anymore.

It also allows you to use the wolfson DAC's equalizer, which should allow you to tweak the sound to your liking with less distortion than the presets that the original firmware offers.

 

[darkswordsman17]

You don't have to use iTunes to manage an iPod, there's some alternatives, but you do still have to use software. Its not any better or worse than drag and drop in my opinion (because you're just doing that within the software interface).

I would recommend checking out the Sony's, everybody raves about their sound, and they seem to fit most everything else you're looking for as well.

 

[abitdeef]

Sony A818 sounds great with E530's, very detailed and good soundstage(as much as an iem can muster

).

 

[neckfox]

With the SE530 The A818 sounds better than the Classic 80GB period. And dare I say even the Cowon IAudio X5L and iRiver H320. The ony thing I am not sure about are is the high frequencies.

 

[Xephyr]

Thanks for all the suggestions but for some reason I just don't really like MTP (don't ask me why I just don't like it >_>). Does anyone have an iRivier Clix that can give some feedback on it?

And a noobish question but why are there fewer and fewer HDD mp3 players with large capacity and more flash drive based mp3 players?? I personally have an old IRiver H-120 and I loved it but it seems like a lot of companies are staying away from HDD. Although I heard rumors that Creative might be releasing a HDD mp3 player and if so I might be interested in getting that.

 

[vikingboy]

ive got the cowon x5l with rockbox and it sounds great with my 530's

 

[LDMES]

Two iMods with Rockbox (4G and now a 5.5G), some very nice cables from ALO, a couple of nice portable amps and my e500/SE530s(now that they ahve been exchanged with warranty). Love my current 5.5G iMod setup with the SE530s (see sig below). And Rockbox is great no iTunes for me. Easy Drag and Drop.

Good Luck.