OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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dbdynsty25
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

Rodster wrote:I read on the iaudio website where someone claimed Sony has a really high quality earbuds. I hope the Samsung Galaxy 5 has an EQ. Either way it should be easy to compare the J3 against the Galaxy 5 since my stuff is on a Micro SD.

I knew you were a closet Apple fanboy, iPad 2. :P
Nothing wrong with the iPad 2...nothing at all. And I'm definitely no fanboy of anything. I simply use the best product available. I had to get one for work purposes actually so the wife uses it at home when I'm on my Tab 10.1...which is going to be sold soon since I use my MacBook all the time now on the couch since it's so light. Okay, well maybe I'm turning into an Apple fanboy afterall. :oops:

The minute I walk in the door with an iPhone...just put me out of my misery though. Definitely sticking with Android in that regard. :)
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

Here's the Sony Earbuds i'm looking at. Solid reviews other than some say they are uncomfortable to wear.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-XB40EX-1 ... 93&sr=8-28

Oh and I may get an iPad 3 so there :P
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

Don't waste your time with those. If you have to get Sony, the highest rated at this point are the Ex600s. Go big or go home...stop toiling away under 100 bucks. :)

The cost to performance is awesome with the Vsonics and the ex600s. Seriously. The Gr07s are THAT good.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

Read this:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/552132/vsonic- ... ion-thread

And an authorized dealer...they end up being around $180.

http://lendmeurears.com/product_info.ph ... cts_id=109

I bought mine from him via eBay when they first came out for around $155...I'd pay double for them they are that good.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

dbdynsty25 wrote:Read this:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/552132/vsonic- ... ion-thread

And an authorized dealer...they end up being around $180.

http://lendmeurears.com/product_info.ph ... cts_id=109

I bought mine from him via eBay when they first came out for around $155...I'd pay double for them they are that good.
I may check them out but $180 ouch !

Hey I got this from another website regarding the Galaxy Player 4/5.0, any of this stuff makes sense to you?

"The DAC included with Hummingbird is the Wolfson WM8994. It's probably the best DAC in a shipping mobile device, outside of the really high-end stuff. The Galaxy S2 is a step down from the OG Galaxy S in audio quality, actually... a big step down.

Voodoo is a developer written audio driver for the WM8994. Written by Supercurio, a guy that Anandtech now gets to provide audio insights for reviews. The man has done amazing work... audiophiles pick the Wolfson DAC's.

EDIT: Here's some info on Voodoo Sound v4... we're on Voodoo Sound v10 now."

http://supercurio.project-voodoo.org...DAC-direct.htm
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

I know all about the Voodoo player. It's nice. Haven't had a samsung device in over a year to test it on though. Was good back when I had my Fascinate.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

OK thanks. I was told expect SQ comparable to a 4th Gen iPod Touch. What do you think db, fair statement?

I'm torn between the Cowon iAudio 10 which I know will sound great, the PS Vita which should have nice SQ because it's Sony and the Galaxy Player which I know very little about but love the look. Also I read you lose about 2-3GB of space on the 8GB storage do to OS and loaded apps.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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Rodster wrote:OK thanks. I was told expect SQ comparable to a 4th Gen iPod Touch. What do you think db, fair statement?
How the F would I know...it's not even out yet?
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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dbdynsty25 wrote:
Rodster wrote:OK thanks. I was told expect SQ comparable to a 4th Gen iPod Touch. What do you think db, fair statement?
How the F would I know...it's not even out yet?
You're the freaking expert here. :)
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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Rodster wrote:
dbdynsty25 wrote:
Rodster wrote:OK thanks. I was told expect SQ comparable to a 4th Gen iPod Touch. What do you think db, fair statement?
How the F would I know...it's not even out yet?
You're the freaking expert here. :)
Once it comes out and I have a chance to check it out...yes. I don't guess based on speculation on the Internet.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

Alright i'll wait for your impressions then, hopefully you'll get to mess with one. The iAudio 10 is not even up on Amazon's site.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

Hey Rod...

http://shop.frogbeats.com/vsonic-gr07

$168 - 15% right now for the GR07s. Basically the best IEMs around for $145...not sure about shipping times and cost from the UK...but it's worth it regardless.

Edit: apparently it's like 15 for shipping and takes around 6 business days.

http://shop.frogbeats.com/shipping/
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

Thanks but I gotta hold off because as you and others say sound and video is subjective. I've had second thoughts on my NuForce purchase. If Amazon sold them where I could return them without restocking fee I would be willing to give them a try.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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Rodster wrote:Thanks but I gotta hold off because as you and others say sound and video is subjective. I've had second thoughts on my NuForce purchase. If Amazon sold them where I could return them without restocking fee I would be willing to give them a try.
Guaranteed you could flip them on headfi or on ebay without a dime lost.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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Some of the things that worry me about the GR07's is some of the comments i've read:

"they're technically great with great extension on both ends without sounding harsh or recessed in any frequency. But...even though the dynamic range and soundstage is more exiting than say RE252s/RE0, it's still sounding quite sterile unlike the EQ5s-Xcapes-RE-Zeros"

Amazon Reviews:
"The bad thing about those is that the bass is anemic and they lack excitement."

"I just got them and my initial reaction was a little disappointing. No WOW factor. The V07 does not have a heavy bass but it produces enough bass for the Jazz music that I listen to. Overall, a bargain for the $180 purchase price."

And then I came across these which are a little pricier but the reviews lean on what I like:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDREX600-In- ... 967&sr=8-2
Image

Amazon reviews:
"Just got my EX600s from amazon today (**** 2 weeks waiting time) and GOOD LORD! I can't go back to using my EX51s anymore...

The soundstage is noticeably HUGE. Bass is of EXTREMELY high quality. In some songs bass seems to be a bit more than my old EX51s but in some others it seems to be less. But again, quality is the key difference. IT'S LIKE I CAN HEAR EVERYTHING!"

"Ive been read some review about this MDR-EX 600, the little brother of Sony's flagship EX-1000, and proven! This piece is really great set on these price ranges. Great sound stage and sound separation, im hearing separation of each instruments with wide range."

"what can I say, these things are the bomb! they're bassy like the TF10's, alot of fun sound but clear, well defined, with a nice airy soundstage! that has good instrument seperation and alot of revealing details, I keep looking around to see where everything is coming from? the mids are harsh and sibilant until you get them broken in, after that they are simply amazing!!"

"Excellent Sounding Earbud Headphones, I've Own Several Mid And High End Sony Headphones, And This Model Beats Them All, I Don't Know If It's The Wide Selection Of Inserts Or The Technology Behind It, Great Bass Reponce, Excellent High End."
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

Read reviews on headfi...not amazon. Read the link I already sent you. It's 80+ pages of praise. Very respected audiophiles love them. And with the J3 the bass is significant. I listen to 90% hip hop and if they didnt have bass...i wouldn't be a fan. Some people are also idiots and they do not get a good seal thus eliminating bass completely.

The sonys and the vsonics are the two most recommended earphones under 200 right now so either are fine. I haven't listened to the 600s so I personally can't recommend them. Plus they are horribly ugly and only fit cable down which I hate. The vsonics with the adjustable nozzle is genius and is easily the most comfortable iem I've ever used.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

Well my J3 did it again. :twisted:

It went from 90% battery to 0% in sleep mode. I'm returning it and getting the Galaxy 5 and i'll use the Micro SD card.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

OK so here's what i've settled on for now unless you have a better idea db. :)

1) Cowon J3 is going back to Amazon

2) I'm thinking about ordering a Cowon X7

3) I preordered a Samsung Galaxy 4.0 instead of the 5.0 (battery on the 5.0 is up there with the J3)

4) The Cowon D3 has dropped in price to $299 from the mid 300's.

I don't know if the D3 is the overall best value as I can use my 16GB Micro SD card and it runs Android? Reading some of the Amazon reviews (earlier ones) the firmware was a problem with cutouts in audio. Maybe it's been fixed by now.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

The D3 is not good. I wish it was good but it just isn't. It's too underpowered. The Galaxy Player should alleviate that. Hopefully it has the sound to match. We will see.

As for the rest of your idea...why don't you just get a cheap cowon player to use in the meantime? C2 or one of the older iAudio 9s or something.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

I considered the C2 but don't like the way it looks including the UI. I would consider the iAudio9 if it weren't for YOU spilling the beans on the iAudio10. The 16GB S9 is currently $166 at Amazon but no MicroSD card support.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by dbdynsty25 »

Who knows if the 10 is even coming to the states...I sure don't. It probably will eventually, but who knows when.
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

Can't say for sure but i'm now leaning on the X7 and Galaxy 5.0 lol. :)
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

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I picked up the 16GB C2 as it dropped in price $134.99 @ Amazon. Also looks like 2.27 should come for the J3 since 1.27 was released in for the Asian market.

Hey db is this 32GB Micro SD card from Fleebay worth the gamble? :?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/32GB-Micro-SD-S ... 3f0e7f904f
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

I was experimenting with the EQ settings and bumped the reverb setting to 1. It makes a nice difference for studio recordings. :)
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Re: OT: Finally...A Worthwhile MP3 Player (really long)

Post by Rodster »

My Cowon C2 arrived today, charging the battery for the FW update. Man this thing is small. It's smaller than a credit card. The access cover was definitely poorly designed. WTF it's like you almost have to force the lid down to connect the USB cable.

Wow now I know why the UI on the C2 is so maligned lol, IT SUCKS ! :p

OK realized a few things just messing with it. You need to use a pen to navigate, fingers aren't needed. Just the opposite of the J3. The pause/play button is the HOME button for the UI, nice. Took 5 minutes to figure that out. :lol:
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