Spec me a high quality portable music system

joeyjojo · 3 Nov 2011 at 00:38

Hola,

The last portable music device I had was an MP3 player about 4 years ago which got nicked, and I may now be back in the market for something.

I will need: player and headphones.

It must: Isolate/noise cancel (for example I have been quite impressed with a friends new bose noise-cancelling ones, particularly on flights etc.)
Be high quality.

The home rig is CA DACMagic/Darkvoice 336SE/HD650 so would rather not lose too much SQ on that. Also my library weighs in at 106 GB with a fair few FLACs so would prefer to not have to convert/choose for the player. This used to be an impossible amount but I see they have 160 GB ipods these days?

Ideally not apple, but will try and be unbiased if it's the best option for the price and I can still use foobar.

Merci

P.S. This might be slightly overkill, but not by much

Shamrock · 3 Nov 2011 at 09:42

I can't help you with the player. I use an ipod classic with a portable amp so I've not tried any of the more audiophile orientated DAPs, but I can try and help on the headphone/IEM side.

What is your budget?

For isolation IEMs cannot be beaten even compared to the most isolating over-ear portables. Noise cancelling is different but I can't see it being much use other than on flights and generally NC headphones don't usually sound that great.

joeyjojo · 3 Nov 2011 at 19:52

Good thinking, I haven't had anything in-ear since the dog chewed up my E2Cs.

Budget is flexible really, what's recommended at the low and medium price points? I probably wouldn't go over say 200 or the HD650s would get jealous

Audiophile DAPs, hmm..

Shamrock · 3 Nov 2011 at 20:24

Once you have settled on a budget and whether you want over-ear portables or IEMs, the next thing to think about is sound signature.

What sort of music genres do you generally listen to? Are you after something with a similar tonal balance to the HD650?

joeyjojo · 3 Nov 2011 at 21:49

I'm getting the full service here..

Cheers SR.

Very happy with the HD650, but only with the extra bassy warmth of the dacmagic. Haven't got a great deal of experience with other cans, I tried some DX1000s a few months back and was very impressed, but I suppose they're a different kettle of fish.

I summed up my "recently listening" to a friend recently as: Venetian Snares, 65daysofstatic, Tool/Perfect Circle, Explosions in the Sky, Mogwai, Deftones, NIN, Counting Crows, Beirut, Fall of Troy, Four Tet, Pixies, **** Buttons, God is an Astronaut, Regina Spektor, Sigur Ros, Saul Williams...

Shamrock · 3 Nov 2011 at 22:58

Hmmm it's tough recommending stuff as we all have different sonic preferences and there are so many IEMs to choose from.

These are worth researching further I'd say if you like a bit of warmth:

VSonic GR07 (bargain at ~£100 imported from HK)
Sennheiser IE7 (maybe IE8 if you like moar bass although isolation is average)
Earsonics SM3 (over budget but similar to HD650)
Ortofon e-Q7
Monster Turbine Pro Gold (for bassheads)
Panasonic HJE900 (great for electric guitars)
Klipsch image X10