Upgrade MP3 player query

[erasmus666]

I'm considering whether it's worth upgrading my mp3 player as I'm finding that I'm using it more and more. I currently have a Sandisk Sansa Clip from 2009 and I'm wondering if I would get any better sound quality from an upgrade. One of the ones I'm considering is the Hifi Walker HD2. I tend to use Soundcore Q45 headphones. I've tried using the Sansa with my Sennheiser HD600 headphones. However, the sound is muted when using these. I'm not technically qualified enough to understand why this might be so. The question is: " Would the improvement in sound quality from an upgrade justify the cost of replacing an mp3 player which still works ok?" I look forward to reading your comments. Thank you.

 

[Gray]

I was given one of those little SanDisk Sansas.
No question you could find a portable player that would make your HD-600 sound better.
How much are you willing /able to spend?

 

[Al ears]

The Hifi Walker will be a significant upgrade in my opinion with ability to play more file types and power enough to drive most headphones adequately.
With a bigger outlay you obviously get more storage, a better DAC, and more power but it should certainly be adequate.

 

[erasmus666]

Thanks for your replies so far. In answer to your question I'm prepared to pay up to about £180.

 

[Jasonovich]

Thanks for your replies so far. In answer to your question I'm prepared to pay up to about £180.

Worth considering the HiFi Walker, high spec DAP and well within your budget ☺️
This is the H20 model, looks pretty robust. It's about £173 on AliExpress.

Try this link, there's a £20 off coupon 👍
HIFI WALKER H20 Pro Hi-Res MP3 Player Bluetooth 128GB Dual DAC 3.2inch Touch Screen DSD aptX/LDAC Portable Digital Audio Player

HIFI WALKER H20 Pro Hi-Res MP3-Player Bluetooth 128 GB Dual DAC 3,2 Zoll Touchscreen DSD aptX/LDAC Tragbarer digitaler Audio-Player - AliExpress 44

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

a.aliexpress.com

 

[Gray]

I tried one of these for a while.
Quite a nice little thing and right on your budget:

https://amzn.eu/d/2NRUveo

Fiio JM-21
(Light years ahead of the Sansa).

 

[erasmus666]

It's a difficult choice. The JM-21 is very impressive but I'm wondering if it's going to be overkill for what I want. I'll only be using wired headphones so the wifi and bluetooth functionality will not be required although I can understand the appeal to many people of these. The aim is simply to transfer my cd collection to the player via my laptop so that I can listen to them whilst I'm out. I won't be streaming or downloading at all. At 71 I like to keep things simple. I've tried to find a review comparing the Walker H20 and the JM-21 but without success. Although the reviews of the H20 are very positive I'm wondering if the H2 would be sufficient even if it is older technology. Although I get the impression that the sound quality from both the H20 and JM-21 will be far better especially coupled with the Sennheiser headphones so that might be a valid reason for not getting the H2.

 

[Al ears]

It's a difficult choice. The JM-21 is very impressive but I'm wondering if it's going to be overkill for what I want. I'll only be using wired headphones so the wifi and bluetooth functionality will not be required although I can understand the appeal to many people of these. The aim is simply to transfer my cd collection to the player via my laptop so that I can listen to them whilst I'm out. I won't be streaming or downloading at all. At 71 I like to keep things simple. I've tried to find a review comparing the Walker H20 and the JM-21 but without success. Although the reviews of the H20 are very positive I'm wondering if the H2 would be sufficient even if it is older technology. Although I get the impression that the sound quality from both the H20 and JM-21 will be far better especially coupled with the Sennheiser headphones so that might be a valid reason for not getting the H2.

Just buy the cheapest device that will do exactly what you require. No point on spending more on something that might sound a tad better but comes with function you don't need.

 

[Gray]

....I get the impression that the sound quality from both the H20 and JM-21 will be far better especially coupled with the Sennheiser headphones

That's the one thing that you can be certain of....not least if you were to obtain a good value balanced cable for your HD600 - as both players offer that facility (on their 4.4mm 'Pentacon' outputs).
EDIT: The Fiio certainly has, but the Walker doesn't seem to have 'balanced' - not the end of the world.

Looks like the Walker also has the Bluetooth that you don't require.

Wi-fi on the JM-21 could get you some radio streams (including CD quality) when used indoors from a router....but can be switched off - not sure how much it adds to the price though.

Note that you'll need an SD card to expand the storage - if your CD collection is large (and you've stored it in lossless files such as FLAC).

 

[Jasonovich]

It's a difficult choice. The JM-21 is very impressive but I'm wondering if it's going to be overkill for what I want. I'll only be using wired headphones so the wifi and bluetooth functionality will not be required although I can understand the appeal to many people of these. The aim is simply to transfer my cd collection to the player via my laptop so that I can listen to them whilst I'm out. I won't be streaming or downloading at all. At 71 I like to keep things simple. I've tried to find a review comparing the Walker H20 and the JM-21 but without success. Although the reviews of the H20 are very positive I'm wondering if the H2 would be sufficient even if it is older technology. Although I get the impression that the sound quality from both the H20 and JM-21 will be far better especially coupled with the Sennheiser headphones so that might be a valid reason for not getting the H2.

I've found one which is much cheaper on Amazon and it comes with a discount voucher - see below

Even cheap Chinese knockoffs come with Bluetooth, you may not need it but it really doesn't add too much to the costs.
Mine comes with all the bells and whistles and like you, I don't use the wireless features, just proper wired quality headphones! 🙂

https://amzn.eu/d/56UZ7lA

 

[Gray]

I've found one which is much cheaper on Amazon and it comes with a discount voucher - see below

Even cheap Chinese knockoffs come with Bluetooth, you may not need it but it really doesn't add too much to the costs.
Mine comes with all the bells and whistles and like you, I don't use the wireless features, just proper wired quality headphones! 🙂

https://amzn.eu/d/56UZ7lA

View attachment 10074

Good price there👍
Just reading the spec reminds me.....I was talking rubbish about the limitations of internal memory 🤨

I should've remembered, I actually bought a 500GB SD card to use with that JM-21 of mine 🙄

 

[Jasonovich]

Good price there👍
Just reading the spec reminds me.....I was talking rubbish about the limitations of internal memory 🤨

I should've remembered, I actually bought a 500GB SD card to use with that JM-21 of mine 🙄

I think the OP would also love the Shanling Q1 for it's retro design but possibly more so for it's simplicity.
These costs about $130 on the US market but Amazon UK are milking the consumer, selling at £249!!!

Maybe eBay sells it at a more sensible price?

Shanling Q1 - Portable Hi-Res music player - Reviews

www.head-fi.org

https://mytechshoppe.com/product/shanling-q1-portable-hi-res-music-player/

 

[erasmus666]

It appears that hifi walker.com has a sale on . The H2 is being sold for £77. https://hifiwalker.com/products/h2
Almost seems too good to be true.

 

[Jasonovich]

It appears that hifi walker.com has a sale on . The H2 is being sold for £77. https://hifiwalker.com/products/h2
Almost seems too good to be true.

Well spotted, check out the other deals they're doing ☺️
[09/10, 7:26 pm] Jase4u: https://hifiwalker.com/products/h2-touch
[09/10, 7:27 pm] Jase4u: https://hifiwalker.com/products/h20-pro

 

[good_enough]

To state the obvious most people listen on their phones. I've got one of these https://ebay.us/m/JCKQDT and am very happy with the lossless cd rips (which are my wont) on my shure se425s. There's also an upgrade path here of a usb dac by ifi or whoever, when you feel there's something lacking. To @AI Ears' point about unwanted features, sure it does a hell of a lot more than play music. But on the other hand the economies of scale of phone production are absolutely astronomical.

 

[record_spot]

The chances your phone will be a good upgrade, though this of course depends on which phone you have.

I haven't used a separate player since my old iPod Nano back in 2007/8. I've found the sound quality to be excellent in phones from Samsung, Apple, Sony, Motorola and my current Honor Magic5 Pro which has 512GB onboard and runs Qobuz, Spotify, etc.

I use Cambridge Melomania 100 in-ear headphones and the sound is excellent.