Is there no simple answer to this question?

[admin_exported]

That question is, my friends: What is the best portable music player in terms of the sound quality? No matter the GB's, the user interface, the price, the only single thing I am concerned about is the sound quality, the sound quality and the sound quality. That's all I want. I don't even care if it has a screen. Tell me one brand and one model. I will probably use the Grado GS 1000 headphones with it and a headphone amp if a headphone amp is really really neccessary to get the best sound quality on the planet. Thanks in advance for any useful answers you give. By the way, if it makes any difference, I listen to classic rock and progressive rock (deep purple, pink floyd, supertramp, uriah heep, ELP etc.). Just discovered whathifi.com today and realized it is a great site, keep up the good work guys.

 

[Anonymous]

Although it is also the most popular, don't let that put you off as its also likely the best for sound quality too - the iPod. The most difference is going to be made by the type of files you put onto the portable media player however and by that I mean lossless - Apple Lossless for the iPod or wma lossless for most other types of media players if you are the any other brand but Apple type of person. I love my Grado headphones, but at the very top of the range you are talking about, I'dÿprobablyÿswitch brands to the AKG 701 and at this rarified price level you better believe a headphone amp will make a difference, a big difference. A great site,ÿwww.headphone.com will point you in the right direction as far as reviews for the best of the best as far as headphones and they also sell great headphone amp's.ÿÿ

 

[Anonymous]

Hi. Simple answer, buy one of the new ipods or one of the 5th gen, I have an 80gb, connect it to a small Mcoy amp from ebay, forget about the Grado 1000(have apair), go for the 60's or better Alessandro MS1( from the states), these headphones are without doubt the best investment you will ever make, get these and the amp, put them togather and WOW what a sound, you must be aware, like the Grado1000's they are both open, so everyone around will hear what you are listening to,still after hearing the sound coming from your ipod they will all want to have a listen and they too will go WOW. If you buy an ipod make sure you use apple lossless to transfare. Hope this helpes, if you want info on the Alessandro's let me know.

Cheers Ed McD

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies. Seems ipod is the best answer to my question. Now, I think you meant Cmoy, not Mcoy. (must be a typo) When I search "cmoy amp" on ebay, I get many results featuring different headphone amp's. Exactly which one do you suggest? Also, as far as I know, Grado SR 60 is very good, but after all, wouldn't something like SR 325i, SR 225 or SR 125 be better, since they are from the same series with SR 60 but higher level?

best regards

 

[Anonymous]

Sorry about getting the amp wrong, this is the one you want Portable headphone amp Cmoy, the one made in Latvia, this is such an amazing small amp. The Alessandro MS1's are the equal in sound of the Grado SR 225, I have compared them with the 225's and I could not hear any significant differance between them, quite amazing, as the Alessandro MS1's cost $99's including postage from the States. I only wish people could hear the Alessandro range but as no one (as far as I aware, sales them in this country)most people buy them on hear say but, I have yet to hear of anybody being dissapointed, believe me it will be the best $99's you will ever spend.

Best regards