Small hi-res player?

I do know I enjoy my 24/96 vinyl rips even downsampled to 16/44, and since these sound much better than CDs (on the Cowon D2), I have little doubt that the original 24/96 would sound better still (and, according to what people say, DSD to 24/96 another notch up). Note, good earphones are needed to appreciate the differences; I use the Shure E3 (moving around) and sometimes Sennheiser HD600 (sitting down).

I've finally invested in a DSD recorder, Korg Mr-1, following advice here on Audiogon. Like other users I enjoy the results. Even downsampled. The Korg Mr-1 DSD recordings sound noticeably better than my first PCM 24/96 solution - larger soundscape, more detail, better sculpturation of musical sound, improved treble, although not perfect - some digital glare remains, but much reduced. The main effect is improvement due to the higher information level. I use Shure E3 earplugs and Sennheiser HD600 headphones, comparing.

So, not just hi-res PCM, but DSD playback ability - that would be the dream small portable. I think this is a case of making business listen up to emerging general public demand.

Re Audioholik question:

Have you listened to any hi-rez music on portable player yet?

I have listened over the last months, jogging and walking. With a mixed repertoire on cd and vinyl recordings on the Cowon, I tend to skip the cd tracks. They don't give the same energy, musical feel and excitement as the vinyl. This is especially evident on the best vinyl (e g., the new Genesis 70-75 remastered LPs). Of course, the benefits of vinyl recordings will vary with the quality of the vinyl rig, - the pickup, arm, player and preamp, and the record itself. But from my experience, most of the benefits described here can be achieved on a moderate level of investment.

This is becoming a one-man-band effort, but let me fill in with some new experience.

The Korg MR-1 does its job very well. Perhaps 80 percent right, 20 wrong, compared to what I've heard before. The wrong has to do with a certain hardness or harshness of tone especially in the treble. Yet most of this may be due to the limited DAC on the Korg, not the recording itself.

It is the best option for getting good digital sound out of vinyl, at a reasonable price - in my view. A one-trick pony, some called it, but it does its trick very well, and with the Audiogate software, export to PCM formats is easy, and the benefits are noticeable also downsampled. They include more room, ambience, clarity and liveability of the music. Most of the flat-wall effect of digitizing music is gone. Very good, in my opinion.

My best listening from digital sources, now, consists of the Korg Mr-1 direct to my Sennheiser 600 headphones. My mobile headphones, the in-ear Shure E3 is good, but the Sennheiser is much better and more suited to listening for differences on this level. The Korg recordings sound good and sometimes spectacular, compared to traditional digitizing, using the Korg itself as listening source, direct DSD. On my Cowon D2 downsampled to PCM-CD-level, the improvements are more muffled but still a step up.

I have a suspicion that a good tube headphone amp would make the listening experience direct from the Korg even better, but have not tried it yet. The Korg lacks digital out, but is very portable and easy to use.

Correction: "The Korg lacks digital out" is not quite right. It uses USB, so files can be transferred to the PC. The Audiogate software can export between MP3, PCM, and the DSD format.