Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Wich one? My only concern: output quality

May 13, 2009 1:46PM PDT

I'm looking for a MP3 player for a very specific use. I'm looking for something with top quality output.

I don't need anything like FM radio, voice recording, high capacity, video playback, etc. I only need excellent sound quality and solid construction (durable).

Can anybody give me a hand?

Thanks!

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
exactly same needs
May 14, 2009 1:34PM PDT

hey ovis...i've been looking for an mp3 player with exactly the same needs / priorities as you. Until now, I have shortlisted the ipod (classic, since I'm looking for 80GB or more) and zune. If you don't need that much space, you could think about the ipod touch I had a creative Zen Vision M but its currently no longer manufactured.

Btw, the Creative Zen X-Fi is supposed to have great audio output thanks to Creative's proprietary X-Fi tech. but they do not come in capacities more than 32GB.

If you're looking for awesome sound quality, I strongly recommend getting urself a good high-end pair of headphones if u don't own one already.

- Collapse -
thanks for you reply!
May 15, 2009 4:39AM PDT

Thanks for your reply xbonez. I was not considering the zune so far, but I'm do some research for that option. I already have a couple of noise-cancelling headphones, I agree with you about considering those as a necessary accessory.

Let me specify a little bit more what I'm looking for. The MP3 player will be used to play tracks as accompaniments for piano melodies. It is going to be pluged into the piano and then amplified using a poweful speaker. So that is reason for me to look only for output quality, since the rest of the most common features are not going to be used.

Also, the capacity I need is very small, 2 or 4 Gb will do the job. That's because I'm gonna used only for track storage.

X-fi technology actually called my attention the most, until now it is my first choice. I read some reviews about "stopped-working" issues related to Zen X-fi, that is the biggest con so far for that model.

I'm also considering ScanDisk's sansa models, but I'm not very sure about their sound quality vs X-fi.

- Collapse -
Everything's relative
May 16, 2009 3:03AM PDT

Choice of output file format will be a key determining factor. If you're planning on using a lossy format like MP3, WMA or AAC you're already behind the eight ball, particularly when it comes to sound quality over a set of external speakers. Whereas through headphones the lossy files are harder to discern, any decent set of speakers--especially with reasonably good amplification--will bring out the sonic limitations of compressed, lossy files.

The data compression will be apparent in the lack of spatial depth and imaging in the resultant sound, even at the highest bitrate rips for those types of file formats. It takes quite a bit of signal processing (re: electronics trickery..and usually lots of cash to go with it) in order reprocess lossy files to make them sound acceptably good through speakers.

Going lossless (WAV, WMA Lossless, Apple Lossless, etc.) will result in better-sounding output, but even there you're playing with fire because it still depends A LOT on the quality of soundcard and encoding software that you use. Lossless also results in much LARGER data files, so if you go this route storage capacity will INDEED be a concern, depending on the number of files you'll need to carry.

If lossless is used, I would definitely recommend a hard-drive based device, or a large capacity flash-based player (32GB or so). Even 16GB will fill up fast with lossless content, though of course it will depend on the number of tracks that you end up loading on the player. And of course the CHOICE of which lossless format to use will be a determining factor (compatibility) in the brand of player(s) you will have available to you.

The WAV format is the about as "non"-lossy as it comes, but it's also non-compressed; the resultant WAV rip will be essentially the same size as the original CD track. Other formats like AIFF and AU are also uncompressed as well. So-called lossless compression formats (FLAC, Apple Lossless, WMA Lossless, etc.) result in files roughly half the size as the uncompressed file but again still take up considerably more storage room than the typical MP3 file ripped at 128k.

While most DAPs worth their while will support WAV, relatively speaking not many devices can support compressed lossless. Apple Lossless is only supported on iPod devices, so you're stuck with the sonic limitations that comes with that direction. WMA Lossless can be used on Zunes (with the right updated firmware), several Sony Walkman series, among a few others. FLAC more or less only has Cowon and iRiver supporting it here in the U.S. market when it comes to portables; it has a greater following with dedicated home audio gear. The other uncompressed and compressed lossless formats have just as few if not fewer portable device options.

If you're truly after the 'best quality' option, then WAV or WMA Lossless is probably your best choice of audio file format. Assuming you'll go with the least restrictive (WAV) in terms of widespread device compatibility, off the bat I'd recommend any of the following devices currently available:

- Microsoft Zune 120 (battery charge--or lack thereof--is an ongoing issue with hard drive Zunes, however)
- Cowon iAudio6 or iAudio X5
- Creative Zen X-Fi 32GB (yes, there have been reports about the quality issues with the Zen X-Fi, but I've had mine 9 months and it's still working just like it did when new and besides, even iPods have had sporadic QC problems)

If you can live with 8 or 16GB, then a larger batch of DAP/PMP devices open up to you:

- Sony Walkman S-series (Sony Walkman devices by and large are TRULY great-sounding units, bar none)
- Cowon (lots of choices)
- Microsoft Zune 8 or 16
- Creative (lots of choices, though again you'll have to decide on how comfortable you'll be with the reported quality control issues)

Samsung has a new P3 coming out soon, but I'm not sure if that will support lossless in any format (their current great-sounding-but-lossy-only P2 doesn't). Sony also has their new X-series player coming out shortly. Again I can't crow enough about the sound quality of Sony Walkmans; they really are special-sounding units. That said, Cowon also makes really great-sounding DAPs and PMPs as well, as does Creative.

- Collapse -
very useful reply!
May 16, 2009 5:10AM PDT

Thanks for taking the time to write this kind of input, very useful information. You changed my perspective; I think I have to research about file types since I don't have much knowledge on that area.

8 or 16 GB will do the job. I'm going to read more about the models you suggested and I'll reply soon.

How important are the cables you use to connect the DAP to the amp/speaker? What options are available?

- Collapse -
update
May 16, 2009 5:45AM PDT

To narrow my choices and to take into account this big-size file types, let's say that I'm going to need space only for a maximum of 50 files with a maximum length of 5 minutes. I have the chance to upload and erase files easily since I'll carry my laptop every time I need to play the tracks for the accompaniments.

I see that many of the high quality options available have the video playback feature, which I don't need at all. I was wondering if there's a device focused only on audio playback that can fit my needs better and also save me some bucks.

- Collapse -
If you're really only looking @ 50 files (avg. 5 min. each)
May 16, 2009 3:39PM PDT

You should be able to handle all of that on a 4GB player with ample room to spare. That alone should bring the price down. All of the manufacturers I listed have flash-based players with that sort of capacity. Just make sure to check specifications on each manufacturer's product web page to verify for lossless compatibility.

As for video playback: seems that most manufacturers have decided that video capability is a MUST HAVE function; all of my current devices have it, but I rarely if ever use or need it myself other than to see if it really works. Unfortunately, manufacturers respond to what market-leading Apple does rather than what consumers really want and need. "Apple pushes video hard on their iPods, we have to follow"...that sort of nonsense. There are still some audio-only devices on the market (Sandisk Sansa Clip, for instance), but they tend to be on the cheap end of the market and may have limitations on what music file formats will work. You'll have to check with the manufacturer or query forums to verify whether these sorts of players will work with lossless.

- Collapse -
here is one specially fit for the piano and serious music
May 16, 2009 11:55PM PDT

Here is a exclusive hi fi amplifier mp3 player, which have an individual built in amplifier, you can directly link the player with yor home audio system because it can works as the preamp.maybe it is suit for your requirement. if you are interested, please contact with me.

JACK