[Gilly87]

So I've got $150 to blow on an mp3 player...what do I get for the best sound quality?

 

[tds101]

Best bang-for-the-buck will be the Sansa clip+ w/Rockbox installed, and a 32gb microSD card. You could do the upgrade to the Fuze (not the Fuze+, that one isn't all that good), better battery life + a color screen, and Rockbox'able as well.

 

[BotByte]

ZuneHD, Cowon S9 16gb for $160
 
Clip+ 8gb + 32gb card for $130
 
Fuze 4gb + 32gb card for $130 if you want some more options
 
Rockboxing is a tough subject, I left my clip+ alone
 
S Flo2 8gb for $150

 

[Gilly87]

Do these stack up to, say, 4th or 5th gen iPod re: sound quality?

 

[barristan]

No Sony NWZ- XXXX recommendations yet?

 

[Achmedisdead]

Quote:

ZuneHD, Cowon S9 16gb for $160
 
Clip+ 8gb + 32gb card for $130
 
Fuze 4gb + 32gb card for $130 if you want some more options
 
Rockboxing is a tough subject, I left my clip+ alone
 
S Flo2 8gb for $150

You're missing out then.

 

[BotByte]

I like the Sansa UI on the clip+, the fading pause and play and the gapless playback is great

 

[tds101]

I'm about to sell a 32gb Zune HD w/a silicon case and wall charger for $150.00,...not a bad deal. Heh, top that deal!!!

 

[BotByte]

Quote:

I'm about to sell a 32gb Zune HD w/a silicon case and wall charger for $150.00,...not a bad deal. Heh, top that deal!!!

I bought my 32gb zune hd with the av pack from a girl off craig'slist for $80
 
I told her that i could buy one at bestbuy for $170, get it online for $140 and I told her $80
After she saw the cash, she jumped for it

 

[ZV3]

If your serious about SQ, then the Sflo 2 is the only choice of this bunch. The Rockboxed clip is also very nice, but not as good as the Sflo2. I really did not think anything would sound any better than the Clip, but I have been testing my new Sflo2 with the LO to my E5 and Ibasso D2+ and it sounds absolutely PHENOMINAL! 

 

[tds101]

Quote:

I bought my 32gb zune hd with the av pack from a girl off craig'slist for $80
 
I told her that i could buy one at bestbuy for $170, get it online for $140 and I told her $80
After she saw the cash, she jumped for it

 

BotByte

 
 
Too bad your profile tells me you have a 16gb Zune HD, and not a 32gb. So, I think my deal is quite good - and your coming of a bit,...dishonest perhaps?!?!?!

 

[tds101]

Quote:

If your serious about SQ, then the Sflo 2 is the only choice of this bunch. The Rockboxed clip is also very nice, but not as good as the Sflo2. I really did not think anything would sound any better than the Clip, but I have been testing my new Sflo2 with the LO to my E5 and Ibasso D2+ and it sounds absolutely PHENOMINAL! 

You added an amp and such,...from the HP out the clip+ is just as good.

 

[grayhatethic]

@ZV3
Wouldn't the E5 distort the audio from the S:Flo2 since the S'flo is more powerful?

 

[lebomb]

Quote:

No Sony NWZ- XXXX recommendations yet?

I recommend the new Sony NWZs.............the 354 sounds fantastic.  I actually enjoy the sound quite a bit more than the un-rockboxed clip+ I had prior. 

 

[Very Legal]

Recommending getting a used Nokia 5800xm, my rockboxed Ipod video isent getting much use now. i actually did break the screen on my first one. so i had to buy another. it has very good synergy with the Westone UM3X btw.