HydrogenAudio

CD-R and Audio Hardware => Audio Hardware => Topic started by: leon11 on 2013-01-27 23:02:54

Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: leon11 on 2013-01-27 23:02:54
Hi there, Im looking to buy a new portable music player (but not apple). I also dont want a volume-capped EU product (im in the UK), so I need to be able to buy it from elsewhere...or the device needs to be able to be flashed or modded to remove the cap!
I am a bit of a perfectionist and would like some nice sound to help inspire my work!


I have done a fair amount of research but it is still a tough choice, and would love to hear peoples thoughts or advice!

I am currently attracted to the Sony z-series (mainly the Z1050 / 60) which I can still get on ebay from japan (uncapped)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-Walkman-NW-...=item3a7db9eba3 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-Walkman-NW-Z1050-16GB-Black-or-Red-Android-2-3-Bluetooth-NEW-Free-shipping-/251217439651?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a7db9eba3)

this seems like a lot to pay for something that I cant make calls on though! I understand that it is the amp which bumps the price up.
but...is this kind of player not obsolete now?



And this is part of the brief I guess...my phone is a bit crap so I was thinking that maybe some of the new phones may be good enough for my audio needs.


- I read samsung have good audio, for one...and that many of today's smartphones compete with cowans players for examplem in terms of sound quality

- And ive also seen the new HTC range with 'beats' audio...although I know that the beats brand is somewhat of a gimmick..
HTC one http://www.handtec.co.uk/htc-one-v-black.html (http://www.handtec.co.uk/htc-one-v-black.html)  ...which I may be able to flash or mod to remove the cap.

- I have always liked sonys products and have also considered an xperia J ...or even an old w995 etc! Apparently the sonys also have a 'warmer' sound.

- I will also be getting some decent headphones (been looking at the IE9's etc...but will cross this bridge when I have a player in mind )

videos and web browsing are less important to me. I would also probably be disabling any wifi ability as I dont think the frequencies do your body any good.

On this note...has anyone ever looked at the frequencies headphones produce?!



any help appreciated...thanks for reading
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: saratoga on 2013-01-28 00:04:09
Hi there, Im looking to buy a new portable music player (but not apple). I also dont want a volume-capped EU product (im in the UK), so I need to be able to buy it from elsewhere...or the device needs to be able to be flashed or modded to remove the cap!
I am a bit of a perfectionist and would like some nice sound to help inspire my work!


I have done a fair amount of research but it is still a tough choice, and would love to hear peoples thoughts or advice!

I am currently attracted to the Sony z-series (mainly the Z1050 / 60) which I can still get on ebay from japan (uncapped)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-Walkman-NW-...=item3a7db9eba3 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-Walkman-NW-Z1050-16GB-Black-or-Red-Android-2-3-Bluetooth-NEW-Free-shipping-/251217439651?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a7db9eba3)


For what its worth, the Z series uses some awful nvidia reference design thats meant for tablets and not actual headphone output:

http://www.markuskraus.com/RMAA/Z1060/Z1060TF10.htm (http://www.markuskraus.com/RMAA/Z1060/Z1060TF10.htm)

Consequently, its probably one of the few devices you can buy that won't be transparent with even fairly easy to drive headphones. 

- I read samsung have good audio, for one...and that many of today's smartphones compete with cowans players for examplem in terms of sound quality

- And ive also seen the new HTC range with 'beats' audio...although I know that the beats brand is somewhat of a gimmick..
HTC one http://www.handtec.co.uk/htc-one-v-black.html (http://www.handtec.co.uk/htc-one-v-black.html)  ...which I may be able to flash or mod to remove the cap.


Nexus phone?  The volume cap basically doesn't matter at all when you're completely unlocked.  Just flash the official ROM and its gone.  Roughly the same price as that ebay link you posted too.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: yourlord on 2013-01-28 01:57:08
It's been said a million times before, but sansa clip+ or sansa zip..
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Gregory S. Chudov on 2013-01-28 03:09:38
I love my Cowon J3. Gapless playback, flac/ogg support, and to make it almost unique - 50 or 60 hours of battery life.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Arnold B. Krueger on 2013-01-28 15:51:02
It's been said a million times before, but sansa clip+ or sansa zip..


+1

Or Fuze. For us older folks the larger display has its moments. And I've done well playing videos on it.

So cheap as to be nearly disposable.

So well-engineered as to make you wish that the headphone jacks on far more expensive stuff were as good.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: xedge on 2013-02-07 22:23:10
take that £230, save yourself £150 on this;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-Mem...5626&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-Memory-Player-Display/dp/B008JCZ542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360275626&sr=8-1)
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: probedb on 2013-02-08 08:04:52
Another for a Sansa player, Clip+ here and love it. The only feature I miss is a physical lock button.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Mach-X on 2013-02-09 06:16:19
Another vote for the clip+, btw it locks by holding down the home button under OF, and there's another button if you've rockboxed it, just can't remember currently.
You were rather unclear as to whether you wanted a dedicated music player or asking 'which phone has the best sq'. The clip+ as a dedicated dap is cheap, has been tested extensively to be linear, and can be loaded with the rockbox firmware to provide nearly limitless audio options. Did I mention it's cheap? You won't gain anything with a sony player other than a pretty interface, and sub par amp performance. You need to decide if you want a seperate dap or a phone with playback capabilities. If just a dap, the clip+ will give you everything you need with linear playback and a microsd slot. Phone wise, both iphone and android devices offer fine playback. If going android I recommend samsung simply because it's the most supported device line, but if you just want a small, powerful, customizeable music player, clip+ all the way.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: probedb on 2013-02-09 14:50:19
But that's no use when it's turned off...and you accidentally catch it in your pocket.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Arnold B. Krueger on 2013-02-12 14:57:11
But that's no use when it's turned off...and you accidentally catch it in your pocket.


In my book the Clip and the Fuze are interchangeable except that the Fuze does video and has a larger screen that means something to us old turkeys.

There are also protective covers for Fuzes that will probably address the problem of inadvertently pressing buttons when they are  off. There may be covers for the Clip as well - google is your friend!
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Jplus on 2013-02-12 16:35:32
Just a question out of general interest: what made you decide that you specifically don't want an Apple product?
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: francesco on 2013-02-12 19:27:14
It's been said a million times before, but sansa clip+ or sansa zip..

me too , but the battery does not give a long autonomy, sadly
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: botface on 2013-02-12 20:15:52
I've used a Sansa Fuze for 3 years or so now. I've been perfectly happy with it until I installed a 32GB microsd card and put about 20GB of music on it. When I unplugged the Fuze from my PC it froze while doing the database update. On checking the Sansa website it seems there is a limit to the size of database it can handle and they don't recommend exceeding 16GB. That didn't bother me too much as I use Rockbox anyway and that did indeed handle the database update although it took a long time - not sure exactly how long as I left it running overnight.

On the other hand my Samsung Galaxy Ace with the same files loaded to a 32GB card does the update in a matter of minutes. I'd be reluctant to draw any firm conclusions though as it might be unfair to compare a modern(ish) smart phone with much older DAP technology
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: andrew_berge on 2013-02-12 21:04:43
I love my Cowon J3. Gapless playback, flac/ogg support, and to make it almost unique - 50 or 60 hours of battery life.


The Cowon J3 is really good, but it's also discontinued and rather hard to get.
But hey, if you do see one: grab it.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: MrEnergizer on 2013-02-16 15:48:15
take that £230, save yourself £150 on this;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-Mem...5626&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-Memory-Player-Display/dp/B008JCZ542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360275626&sr=8-1)


I 2nd that. You need to install poweramp from the apps store cos the built in player is crap. But all in all a nice player with a decent dac and good quality sound
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Mach-X on 2013-02-17 02:13:35
Just a question out of general interest: what made you decide that you specifically don't want an Apple product?

1.overpriced
2.limited format support
3.dont like apple telling me what I can and cant do with my devices (the ridiculous lawsuits)
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: scuttle on 2013-02-17 15:35:08
I love my Cowon J3. Gapless playback, flac/ogg support, and to make it almost unique - 50 or 60 hours of battery life.


I have a Clip+ and a J3. They're both excellent, but the Clip is a LOT cheaper. And strange things often seem to happen to J3 batteries with age - I think mine is now down to pretty much the same playing life as my Clip+.

Re. the Fuze: a lot of people seem to hate the newer trackpad driven Fuze+ and, regrettably, NOS older model Fuze prices are getting silly on ebay.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: GrindheadJim on 2013-02-17 16:13:03
take that £230, save yourself £150 on this;

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-Mem...5626&sr=8-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-Memory-Player-Display/dp/B008JCZ542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360275626&sr=8-1)


I 2nd that. You need to install poweramp from the apps store cos the built in player is crap. But all in all a nice player with a decent dac and good quality sound


Third!  I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 phone, and I love its media funtionality, especially with all the apps available.  One project you really need to consider is Subsonic (http://subsonic.org).  it turns you computer into a media server, and there's two different versions of the android app that allow your phone or Galaxy player to stream the files.  Absolutely worth it.


Just a question out of general interest: what made you decide that you specifically don't want an Apple product?

1.overpriced
2.limited format support
3.dont like apple telling me what I can and cant do with my devices (the ridiculous lawsuits)


This.  Apple, frankly, treats their customer base as if they are all idiots.  Between that, and the aforementioned limitations, no thank you.  Android works perfectly for me.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Kohlrabi on 2013-02-17 16:41:00
Have you considered the Altmann Tera Player (http://www.tera-player.com/)? It's a high-quality audiophile DAP. I have recently conducted an objective test of the device, and it beats the venerable Clip+ 5:0. But see for yourself:(http://i.imgur.com/bL6Fti3.png)
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: DonP on 2013-02-17 17:06:13
Just a question out of general interest: what made you decide that you specifically don't want an Apple product?


For one, it cost me under $20 to add 32 GB to my Sansa.  With ipods that offer a choice, an extra 32 G will cost $100, and no option to upgrade beyond that other than buy a new one in a couple of years.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: DonP on 2013-02-17 17:20:46
That didn't bother me too much as I use Rockbox anyway and that did indeed handle the database update although it took a long time - not sure exactly how long as I left it running overnight.

On the other hand my Samsung Galaxy Ace with the same files loaded to a 32GB card does the update in a matter of minutes. I'd be reluctant to draw any firm conclusions though as it might be unfair to compare a modern(ish) smart phone with much older DAP technology


Not sure what the Fuze has for clock speed, it's predecessor (e200 V2) has a 250 mhz arm compared to a typical hi-ish end phone has multiple CPU's in the GHz range.

"Update" on my older Rockbox player (80 mhz arm) with a 32 GB card runs pretty quickly if I'm adding a few albums as acquired or updating podcasts.  If you're adding 20 GB at once would it be faster to generate the database from scratch rather than update?
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: mzil on 2013-02-17 17:35:11
I hate carrying around anything, especially things which need the maintainance of recharging. I use my cellphone's music player for my portable music, since that kills two birds with one stone and it keeps me down to only one such device I wish I didn't have to carry, and if there was some aspect about my phone's music player that I didn't like, I'd get a new cellphone.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: scuttle on 2013-02-17 17:41:24
Have you considered the Altmann Tera Player (http://www.tera-player.com/)? It's a high-quality audiophile DAP. I have recently conducted an objective test of the device, and it beats the venerable Clip+ 5:0. But see for yourself:(http://i.imgur.com/bL6Fti3.png)


Is it compatible with handmade silver cables? Because I might have to garrotte some weirwolves.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: stephan_g on 2013-02-17 19:27:17
I've used a Sansa Fuze for 3 years or so now. I've been perfectly happy with it until I installed a 32GB microsd card and put about 20GB of music on it. When I unplugged the Fuze from my PC it froze while doing the database update. On checking the Sansa website it seems there is a limit to the size of database it can handle and they don't recommend exceeding 16GB. That didn't bother me too much as I use Rockbox anyway and that did indeed handle the database update although it took a long time - not sure exactly how long as I left it running overnight.

That doesn't seem right. My Rockboxed Clip+ rattles through about 15 gigs worth of MP3s in about a minute when updating the database. However, it be noted that the files are neatly organized in folders by artist and album here. Having a non-negligible number of files - worstcase: all of them - in a single folder can slow down indexing considerably.

Database updating in OF always took much longer.
On the other hand my Samsung Galaxy Ace with the same files loaded to a 32GB card does the update in a matter of minutes.

Now that's about the kind of performance I would normally expect.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: saratoga on 2013-02-17 20:07:24
I think building the database is almost entirely constrained by the relatively slow read speed of the low power SD controllers on these devices.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: cpchan on 2013-02-17 22:34:57
And strange things often seem to happen to J3 batteries with age - I think mine is now down to pretty much the same playing life as my Clip+.


Please don't generalize, I have had my J3 since it came out and the battery is still good. However, I do agree if one does not need the long playback time, hardware buttons or video (with it's exellent AMOLED screen and TV out), the Clip+ is a great choice.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: scuttle on 2013-02-17 23:22:16
And strange things often seem to happen to J3 batteries with age - I think mine is now down to pretty much the same playing life as my Clip+.


Please don't generalize, I have had my J3 since it came out and the battery is still good. However, I do agree if one does not need the long playback time, hardware buttons or video (with it's exellent AMOLED screen and TV out), the Clip+ is a great choice.



Possibly you should read posts before answering them? I didn't CONCLUDE that J3's tend to have battery problems because mine has developed them - if had, that would be a generalization in the sense you mean (ie. an over-generalization.) This is in fact what you are doing by drawing conclusions from a single player...

Otoh, there are a good number of J3s around, and that battery problems are somewhat reported might just reflect the numbers of players - and that the player as a whole is reliable, so that battery problems are all that are left to wrong.

Anyway, the J3 certainly kicks ass at its own thing - which is playing with all those enhancements like BBE, megabass and room acoustics effects on. Otoh, its EQ is only 5 band, which is very low if you're going to dabble this way. If I was buying today I'd buy a cheap Clip and wait around until I found an Android phone with sq and a price I liked and someone launches a player that's either a VST host or has the BBE Cowon license for their players. (Which they had to pull from their Android app for legal reasons.) But if you don't like messing with the sound that way (I didn't think I would when I bought my J3 but it has worked for me) then stick with the Clip.

Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: cpchan on 2013-02-18 02:07:39
Possibly you should read posts before answering them? I didn't CONCLUDE that J3's tend to have battery problems because mine has developed them - if had, that would be a generalization in the sense you mean (ie. an over-generalization.) This is in fact what you are doing by drawing conclusions from a single player...


I did not draw my conclusion just from my player. If there is really a wide spread battery problem, you would hear all about it on     iAudiophile and ABi.

Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: andrew_berge on 2013-02-18 05:40:58
As a member on iAudiophile, i've read of a handful of users with battery problems, no more than that.

Speaking of bugs, though, the J3 does has several software bugs. Such as the tag database not updating when you edit your files, or freezing up when you play anything higher than 16-bit, 48kHz.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: eleria on 2013-02-27 20:25:56
I read a lot of hardware reviews and I had the same problem with every item, I needed about 19Go of memory if I wanted to use V1 MP3s, and almost nothing had that space.
Luckily my brother changed his phone, went from a Galaxy S (Wolfson Dac) to a Nexus 4. He asked me if I was interested in his old phone I said I would try it out.

So he put me some Android 4.1 rom with voodoo sound configured with direct audio, no processes.

In the end I have 32Go, I have about 18Go of -q7 AoTuV OGGs (in lossless the same music equals to 70Go).
The only "problem" I have is a very slight noise that is probably there when I start playback I can't hear then, but that I hear when I stop playback (some white noise continues for a few seconds before shutting down the audio)
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: andy o on 2013-02-28 17:10:07
Have you considered the Altmann Tera Player (http://www.tera-player.com/)? It's a high-quality audiophile DAP. I have recently conducted an objective test of the device, and it beats the venerable Clip+ 5:0. But see for yourself:(http://i.imgur.com/bL6Fti3.png)

And it doesn't have the WiFi "frequencies" that "don't do your body any good". But does it have a good blocker for the "frequencies headphones produce"? Right now I have to put two earplugs in my ears underneath the headphones in order to block those, but my dumb stupid WiFi-frequency-non-blocking iPod seems too quiet then.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: skamp on 2013-02-28 18:01:33
andy o: I suspect you might be joking, but I don't get it…
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Arnold B. Krueger on 2013-02-28 21:36:05
andy o: I suspect you might be joking, but I don't get it…


My take is the joke is composed of all of the product's disadvantages on the one side, and the hearty endorsement by a questionable source on the other.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: andy o on 2013-03-01 00:54:29
Jeez, no one reads the OP to completion anymore?
Hi there, Im looking to buy a new portable music player (but not apple). I also dont want a volume-capped EU product (im in the UK), so I need to be able to buy it from elsewhere...or the device needs to be able to be flashed or modded to remove the cap!
I am a bit of a perfectionist and would like some nice sound to help inspire my work!


I have done a fair amount of research but it is still a tough choice, and would love to hear peoples thoughts or advice!

I am currently attracted to the Sony z-series (mainly the Z1050 / 60) which I can still get on ebay from japan (uncapped)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-Walkman-NW-...=item3a7db9eba3 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SONY-Walkman-NW-Z1050-16GB-Black-or-Red-Android-2-3-Bluetooth-NEW-Free-shipping-/251217439651?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a7db9eba3)

this seems like a lot to pay for something that I cant make calls on though! I understand that it is the amp which bumps the price up.
but...is this kind of player not obsolete now?



And this is part of the brief I guess...my phone is a bit crap so I was thinking that maybe some of the new phones may be good enough for my audio needs.


- I read samsung have good audio, for one...and that many of today's smartphones compete with cowans players for examplem in terms of sound quality

- And ive also seen the new HTC range with 'beats' audio...although I know that the beats brand is somewhat of a gimmick..
HTC one http://www.handtec.co.uk/htc-one-v-black.html (http://www.handtec.co.uk/htc-one-v-black.html)  ...which I may be able to flash or mod to remove the cap.

- I have always liked sonys products and have also considered an xperia J ...or even an old w995 etc! Apparently the sonys also have a 'warmer' sound.

- I will also be getting some decent headphones (been looking at the IE9's etc...but will cross this bridge when I have a player in mind )

videos and web browsing are less important to me. I would also probably be disabling any wifi ability as I dont think the frequencies do your body any good.

On this note...has anyone ever looked at the frequencies headphones produce?!




any help appreciated...thanks for reading
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Kohlrabi on 2013-03-01 07:03:01
I would also probably be disabling any wifi ability as I dont think the frequencies do your body any good.

On this note...has anyone ever looked at the frequencies headphones produce?!
I'm just happy that humans are unable to see radio-, or microwaves, lest we'd see a mass panic, soon.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: mzil on 2013-03-01 08:10:36
^I have no difficulty seeing either of them. There is a microwave in my kitchen and a radio in my bathroom.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: Mach-X on 2013-03-01 08:25:59
I hate carrying around anything, especially things which need the maintainance of recharging. I use my cellphone's music player for my portable music, since that kills two birds with one stone and it keeps me down to only one such device I wish I didn't have to carry, and if there was some aspect about my phone's music player that I didn't like, I'd get a new cellphone.

Considering my cellphone is an over clocked cyanogenmod dual core beast, its always in need of charging. When I simply want to go out walking its great my clip+ always has a charge and doesn't weigh my pocket down, unlike today's 5 inch and larger cellphones.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: andy o on 2013-03-01 16:05:46
I have a Nexus 4 and an iPod Touch. I carry the iPod when I'm going to drive, and have most of my music in Google Play for occasional listening via streaming. That way I don't have to connect any charging cables on either, and use Bluetooth in the car.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: mzil on 2013-03-01 16:19:05
Since I never walk out my front door without my cell phone, that wouldn't apply to me, but I can see how people who don't like to always carry their cell phone due to its weight and/or battery consumption, as you mentioned, would want music at times, so that makes sense
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: andy o on 2013-03-02 02:10:01
oh, I meant I carry the iPod in the car in addition to the phone, which I also always carry.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: kwanbis on 2013-03-02 17:37:20
I read a lot of hardware reviews and I had the same problem with every item, I needed about 19Go of memory if I wanted to use V1 MP3s, and almost nothing had that space.
Luckily my brother changed his phone, went from a Galaxy S (Wolfson Dac) to a Nexus 4. He asked me if I was interested in his old phone I said I would try it out.

So he put me some Android 4.1 rom with voodoo sound configured with direct audio, no processes.

In the end I have 32Go, I have about 18Go of -q7 AoTuV OGGs (in lossless the same music equals to 70Go).
The only "problem" I have is a very slight noise that is probably there when I start playback I can't hear then, but that I hear when I stop playback (some white noise continues for a few seconds before shutting down the audio)

what is a "Go" as in 19Go?
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: db1989 on 2013-03-02 17:46:37
The context makes it quite obvious, but Google and (in a rare show of usefulness) Yahoo Answers (http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081008074712AA1xZaT) save the day:
Quote
Im not sure this is relevant but Go is the translation for GB in french...
Quote
No Difference. It is just a bi-lingual spelling of GB.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: [JAZ] on 2013-03-02 18:00:36
what is a "Go" as in 19Go?


In french (I don't know if it is used in other languages), they talk about "octets" (which means eight, as in "octal") instead of "bytes".
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: skamp on 2013-03-02 18:03:19
Octet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Octet_(computing)) is valid in english as well, from what I can tell, though not widespread.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: kritip on 2013-03-10 21:15:49
The "clip" on my clip+ broke, and the background noise accessing the memory/CPU access was a killer for me so I never used it other than in the car. I have just given it away to a friend.

I have a HTC One X, but battery life is an issue when you couple it with the daily calls, wifi, browsing etc. So I'm also on the hunt again.

I hate to say it, but the size, battery life and weight of the iPod Nano is looking really good to me. The downside I can see are: Cost + iTunes!

The cost I can handle, if it sounds decent....I can't find anything with a comparable size, battery and capacity..

iTunes.....arrrggghhh, it's awful

Any similar alternatives anyone can think of (and no, not another clip  )
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: eahm on 2013-03-10 21:25:16
kritip, why is iTunes so awful?

I have all my music in FLAC and I have only an iPhone 4S as portable audio device. I don't even use iTunes that much other than MUSIC SYNC and it's perfect for it, it's clean, light, organized and the design is better than the competition.
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: saratoga on 2013-03-10 21:32:57
I have a HTC One X, but battery life is an issue when you couple it with the daily calls, wifi, browsing etc. So I'm also on the hunt again.


Does playing music actually impact the battery life much?  Since the phone still has to be physically on most of the time even in its low power state, it has a lot of idle cycles that could probably be used for decoding audio. 
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: kritip on 2013-03-10 21:35:43
kritip, why is iTunes so awful?

I have all my music in FLAC and I have only an iPhone 4S as portable audio device. I don't even use iTunes that much other than MUSIC SYNC and it's perfect for it, it's clean, light, organized and the design is better than the competition.


I find it slow, and seems there is way too much going on....I'd be much happier just dropping folders onto a mass storage device.

I have a HTC One X, but battery life is an issue when you couple it with the daily calls, wifi, browsing etc. So I'm also on the hunt again.


Does playing music actually impact the battery life much?  Since the phone still has to be physically on most of the time even in its low power state, it has a lot of idle cycles that could probably be used for decoding audio.


No, the actual playing doesn't make much difference....however, after I've been using the phone for a million and one other things, it's frustrating when it gets low on power or runs out. If I leave the phone, and JSUT play music, it lasts ages....however I make good use of the phone
Title: Best Portable Audio Solution 2013
Post by: skamp on 2013-05-30 18:21:56
Have you considered the Altmann Tera Player (http://www.tera-player.com/)? It's a high-quality audiophile DAP. I have recently conducted an objective test of the device, and it beats the venerable Clip+ 5:0.


In related news, the price of the mighty Tera Player just went up 100%, from €840 ("student price offer") to a mere €1,680 ($2,191, for aduuults (http://youtu.be/gAYL5H46QnQ)). It's been said that it sounds incredibly "natural", "musical", "analog" and "non-fatiguing"! FREE SHIPPING if you buy NOW!

http://www.tera-player.com/ (http://www.tera-player.com/)