Best sound quality mp3 player?

Guest2

Guest2

Guest2

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I'm looking for an MP3 player with excellent sound instead of the ipod crap

Will be buying second hand for around £100 - £150

I have read things about how the following players are good. Which one has a good an interface as the ipod classic. I love the interface on my classic and the 80gb size but the sound quality is rubbish. I'm not bothered about video, just sound quality and how quick the menu is to search for things. Would also like 16gb +

List of players so far -

Cowon iaudio7
Cowon iaudio D2
Cowon s9
Sony walkman NWZ-A818
Iriver H120 or H140
Kenwood HD30GB9 (hard to get and £200+ but apparently the best sounding player ever)
Creative Zen
Ipod with Red Wine Audio mod (imod)
 
I doubt anyone here has heard all the players you've listed but this post from Flibster may be of some help to start with:

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14004117&postcount=27

I own the H140 and the sound quality is superb. It's also very good for recording using an external mic and has optical in/out. Just in case you get the wrong impression from the post i linked, battery life is actually very good on the H140 as long as the battery isn't knackered :) I also have a Sony NWZ-S639 which is also very good but only 16GB and i would say the iriver is better in terms of sound quality even though it's a brick compared to more modern mp3 players.
 
Havent rad anything about the x1050. Looks good though, what is the sound quality like in comparison to the D2. Everything i have read on the web points be towards a D2 for the quality of sound.

If the sound quality on the x1050 is equal to the D2 and is has a newer (or more importantly to me) a faster, interface then i will probably get an x1050. I love how on my ipod classic u flick a switch and it remembers the song last on, songs scroll through fast and generally easy to search and browse to tracks. I use playlists like 'rock' 'mixes' 'dance' 'house' etc then have all the songs inside playlists
 
I have the X1060 and the sound quality is superb, on a par or better than the S9 from what I've read.

The touchscreen interface is great and pretty damn fast and the OLED screen is a step up alright.
 
Big Kev said:
I have the X1060 and the sound quality is superb, on a par or better than the S9 from what I've read.

The touchscreen interface is great and pretty damn fast and the OLED screen is a step up alright.
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Is it a lot better sound quality than the Zune you had?
 
Guest2 said:
Is it a lot better sound quality than the Zune you had?
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It's not a huge difference between the two, but it is better and I forgot how much use the equalizer settings were, which the Zune didn't have.

It does have touchscreen, a better sound, a better screen, but it is a lot more expensive and I only get 32G, instead of the 80G with the Zune, so give and take.
 
I agree with JoeMama - I too have the iRiver H140, and despite it being about 6 years old it is brilliant, and sounds great through my rather expensive hifi (which cost several thousand..) It is not as good as vinyl, but then no digital is..!
 
It does indeed make a superb source. The only problem is, because it's been out of production for such a lont time, you'd have to be a bit of an enthusiast to want to buy one now as it will more than likely be well used and possibly have been repaired at some stage. Saying that though, mine has been right round the world with me but still looks as new as the day i bought it!!
 
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Im tempted by the X1060 but do not really want or require a touch screen. I have used video on my ipod about once in the past few years. The main 2 things are interface and sound quality. I nearly bought a 16gb Iaudio 7 for £130 but was put off by the interface on it. I need something that can be used as easily as my ipod (one handed) starts up instantly, doesnt lag and sounds great.
I fear i would break a touch screen mp3 player within a week. The imod by red wine audio is not really an option because its $250 + delivery
 
marc2003 said:
sony nwz-s639f. 16gb and meets the requirements you just listed.
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Good choice :) I am very happy with mine. Only issue i have is that fast forwarding into a long track is time consuming, unless there's a way i've not figured out yet (The way seek works on an ipod is one of the only things i like about them!!). Looks like it can be had for £90 delivered now which is very reasonable.

Superewza said:
This

I have the 8GB Red Line version, some good headphones and it's amazing.
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OP wants 16GB minimum. I don't doubt it's a nice player though :)
 
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as well as the player - you will also need a good set of "cans" if "the best" is what you are after!

Remember as well *h1t3 in = *h1t3 out!

3 variables - source file (how and in what format/bit rate has it been ripped) + player + cans

Could get expensive!

khushy

PS - I have a Cowon D2 + a set of Shure SE530's and all my music is FLAC - works for me.
PPS - if sont did FLAC I would havethe new Sony x Series player - but Cowon is just fine
 
The Sony Walkman NWZ-S639FS doesnt support FLAC does it? I use Sennheiser CX300.

My 1st gen shuffle had good sound quality, when i use my cx300 with my old 512mb shuffle it sound 3 times as good as my ipod classic (and about twice as loud)

Will the sony be upto the same standard. I almost bought a Iaudio D2 but the general interface of iaudio stuff put me off.

My perfect player would be an 80gb ipod classic but with decent quality sound in exchange for no video, cover flow, games and all the other crap 90% of people do not use
 
Guest2 said:
The Sony Walkman NWZ-S639FS doesnt support FLAC does it?
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No FLAC support but high quality mp3s sound great!

Guest2 said:
My 1st gen shuffle had good sound quality, when i use my cx300 with my old 512mb shuffle it sound 3 times as good as my ipod classic (and about twice as loud)

Will the sony be upto the same standard.
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I can only compare the the sony to ipod nano 2nd and 4th gen and the sony gives far better sound quality and is also louder.

Guest2 - You will probably find there is no 'perfect' mp3 player that meets all your current and future requirements. There may have to be a little give or take.
 
JoeMama said:
Guest2 - You will probably find there is no 'perfect' mp3 player that meets all your current and future requirements. There may have to be a little give or take.
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I think it will probably be the Kenwood HD30GB9, but its almost impossible to come accross. I have read about people buying second hand from japan for more than the retail cost. (think a guy bought one for £280)

It plays mp3s, thats all, and has a very good interface by all accounts
 
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