[NoValidTitle]

So I'm looking to buy a new DAP, currently I have a 4GB Nano but I want more space! So I was looking at the Zune then realised per GB the iPod would be cheaper then putting an 80GB drive in a Zune, I like the way the Zune looks over the iPods though. So the main question here is, are there any reasons to purchase a Zune over an iPod as far as an audiophile is concerned? FM radio I could care less about, I mean audio quality. I do plan to buy some sort of headphone amp.

 

[MrFaust]

If you hurry...

80gb Zune For Sale Cheaper than an 80gb iPod

 

[RickB]

I briefly owned a Zune before switching to a 5.5G iPod.

I will give it to you straight: if audio quality is the utmost important thing to you, then the Zune is your best choice. The sound quality is superb!

So now you ask, why did I switch? The Zune has poorer battery life compared to the iPod 30gb. On my Zune, I was lucky to get 8 hours before needing to recharge it. The big screen does enact a penalty.

Since I use a DAP about 10+ hours a day, the Zune just was not for me. With the iPod I get 12+ hours of battery life.

 

[evilking]

Odd, I get about 10 hours battery life with 320kbps MP3, average screen use and no wifi. With IEMs though, so the volume was at a max of 12/20 (any higher would blow my ears off). With more demanding headphones I guess the battery could drop to 8 hours, but using 192kbps could boost it back up again.

Other than that the sound is worth it over the Ipod, be warned though there isn't a configurable EQ if that's important to you (it's not needed anyhow).

 

[NoValidTitle]

how about a line out? is there a line out adapter or sorts for the dock port for the zune?

 

[SirVesseur]

Forgive me if I am wrong but does soundquality matter when a headphone amp is used?

 

[NoValidTitle]

Sure, the built in DAC could suck. Like the reason Vinnie only mods 4g iPods because of the high quality DAC they used in the 4G iPods.

 

[evilking]

A line-out hasn't been made yet, it is possible as many accessories that output audio connect to the dock connector.

 

[Jon118]

I just want to know how everyone seems to have the volume on their Zunes at least at 6 or even higher. Mine never goes above 3 and that's plenty loud enough for me. In a noisy environment I usually keep the volume at 5. I never saw how people got it above that without blowing their ears out.

 

[Altoids]

LOL. With my Zune I average about 14. Maybe my Zune's broken, but it still sounds good.

 

[vulc4n]

For reference, I always kept my zune with my vibes in the range of 7-14... Really depends on the type of music, and the environment.

 

[EFN]

Having owned iPods (3G, 4G & 5.5G), I can say that zune SQ is far superior from the headphone out. And in fact with 20/20 volume with my ER-4S, my zune will run for more than 10 hours. iPod 5.5G isn't that impressive when it come to battery as well.

But if you plan to lug around an external Amp, iPod offers better combo with lotsa choice of docking solution. Consider this, iPod 5.5G (lineour) paired with LDM+ could only come to same level with zune with no amp - for me that means a lot and I get to carry a DAP minus the extra weight.

Heck, my zune even manage to trump my old Rio Karmas, and those old boys are collecting dust now.

The best part?, I dont have to go lossless to enjoy hi-fidelity music with zune

 

[PrototypeX2]

I know that this is irrelevent to the topic but...
I use 10/20 for outdoor use
7/10 for just normal listening
5/10 at night(my ears seem to get more sensitive)

 

[Sebastianbf]

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilking /img/forum/go_quote.gif A line-out hasn't been made yet, it is possible as many accessories that output audio connect to the dock connector.

Qables have a dock connector available for the Zune now.

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sebastianbf /img/forum/go_quote.gif Qables have a dock connector available for the Zune now.

True but it's just the unassambled dock assembly from what I see. I wonder why he isn't offering a whole dock with cable & jack assembled(maybe I missed that). I also wonder if that's Hans listening to the Grados on his website lol

Re the volume setting on the Zune (or any player), it depends on the music type and environment as mentioned but more so the impedance/efficiency of the monitor I think. For instance EFN mentions using the ER4S wich are 100 Ohms so they require a higher volume setting compared to most other IEMs. (not sure if he adds impedance to that )