[Brad Harper]

Which portable do you guys prefer?

 

[skippy]

i've got a pana 460 (some people say the 460 sounds better than the 470) and the rat shack 3400. the 3400 wins by a mile. i've heard the 470, and i thought hte 3400 was much better.

 

[TimSchirmer]

optimus!

 

[jpelg]

Is that comparing the headphone outs alone, line outs with an amp, or both?

 

[Brad Harper]

Line out with a headroom Supreme and ER-4s

 

[Eagle_Driver]

I'd say "NOT the Panasonic SL-CT470/570". You see, Panasonic actually runs its analog line-out from its cheap headphone-out op-amp (usually a piece of crap) instead of directly from a built-in DAC (which is usually superior). Some other companies (including Sony, of all people) actually run their line-outs directly from a built-in DAC, thus bypassing the crappy headphone-out op-amp.

 

[NEO]

actually,both Pana 470 and 570 sounds better than most new players in the market (not incld upper line Sony since i'be never heard D-EJ1000 or newer model). But they used to be people's choice ,even over the newer Panas.
Now, CD3400 should sounds better. But the reputation of CD3400 is mainly on its line out and the high quality devices and transport mechanism inside. Mostly it is famous as a high quality-cheap transport to use in home system. The fact that it doesn't have ESP made it a poor choice for portable use. However it does have various eq mode which add some fun for headphone listening.
But the fact that it's getting more and more expensive on eBay, at least $100 i would say. Some ways to get it cheap is from some seller who doesn't know what he has and have set buy it now for $20,$30 ... or offer to buy it directly from him for ,let's say $50 (I want to do that too but there are always someone with higher offer). Another way is maybe from Pawn shop or if lucky enough..walk in some RadioShack store and find it at discount product.
NEO

 

[zowie]

The phones out on the 3400 sounds very good.

Your choice is basically better sound (3400) vs. shock protection and battery life (Pana).

So it's basiscally what matters most to you.

 

[andrzejpw]

Are you using this portably? Or is this stationary?

 

[Brad Harper]

Portable

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by Brad Harper Portable

Then clearly the SL-CT570. The Optimus 3400 sounded better, but simply cannot be used portably because of the lack of any decent anti-shock (and poor battery life).

P.S. I own the CT570, and have owned two of the 3400.