Recommend an Inexpensive Portable Music Player

[FrostyToast]

My phone's headphone jack isn't functional so I am looking for something inexpensive yet solid to replace it's functionality as a music player.

Just to give a price range I would like options that are sub $100. Anything close to or over would have to have a good justification

[jdcarpe]

Does your phone have Bluetooth? You could always use BT headphones, instead.

What size is your music collection? Do you want it all on the device, or just a subset? Are you tied to an ecosystem, such as iTunes? Or is it all DRM-free MP3? What size storage does your phone have?

iPod Shuffle is cheap, and Nano isn't TOO expensive. iPod touch is twice your budget. Apple really does make the best audio players.

[IPT]

Cheapest option would be SanDisk Sansa Clip+
$34.99 from Amazon
Can use microSD up to 32GB.
http://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Sansa-Clip-Player-Black/dp/B002MAPT7U/ref=zg_bs_1264866011_1

Sub $100 "best" option would be the ipod Nano 7th gen refurb from Apple
$99.00 for 16gb
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FE971LL/A/refurbished-ipod-nano-16gb-space-gray-7th-generation

*edit*
seeing that you're from canada, the prices maybe different on the nano....
i'd say look for someone selling a used Nano or previous gen Nano/iPod touch.

Don't bother with the Shuffles, might as well just get the Sansa.

[MOZ]

(Sansa Clip+ 4GB) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MAPT7U + (Sandisk Ultra 32GB microSD) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M55C0NS + RockBox = Profit

Edit: This is my current setup and serves 24Gigs of FLAC flawlessly. The Clip+ is regarded very highly in the audiophile community, and I chose it over an iPod Touch.

[FrostyToast]

I honestly think that Bluetooth headphones are trash. Plus it would suck up my phone's power which I would like to avoid. A separate device would be better in these regards.

The ipod touch could be justified if I desperately what iOS apps but that probably won't do it.
Currently my music collection is 2.3gb at roughly 450 songs and will definitely triple and go beyond that even.
My phone has 16gb itself and expandable storage which would make it unquestionably able to hold everything I will ever have.
I am not tied to any ecosystems whatsoever.

Bottom line: unless the device you recommend is tied to an ecosystem itself, I can use it without a question.

[inanis]

Bottom line: unless the device you recommend is tied to an ecosystem itself, I can use it without a question.

I use an iPod Classic and I refuse to use iTunes. I absolutely despise iTunes, but my car supports only iPod connections, and generally I like the player. So, however I go about purchasing my music - which often is through Amazon, I use SharePod to manage the iPod content. It was free, it is lightweight and it is stupid easy to use. My understanding is that it will not work on the newer iTouch/iPhone devices, which is too bad. I'm pretty sure they stopped supporting it altogether a few years back. Maybe there is a modern equivalent. It is a great program. So, don't discount an iPod, particularly an older one, just because you want to avoid iTunes. There are ways around it!

[FrostyToast]

Bottom line: unless the device you recommend is tied to an ecosystem itself, I can use it without a question.

I use an iPod Classic and I refuse to use iTunes. I absolutely despise iTunes, but my car supports only iPod connections, and generally I like the player. So, however I go about purchasing my music - which often is through Amazon, I use SharePod to manage the iPod content. It was free, it is lightweight and it is stupid easy to use. My understanding is that it will not work on the newer iTouch/iPhone devices, which is too bad. I'm pretty sure they stopped supporting it altogether a few years back. Maybe there is a modern equivalent. It is a great program. So, don't discount an iPod, particularly an older one, just because you want to avoid iTunes. There are ways around it!

Fairly certain that ipods allow you to load your own files onto it so that won't be an issue.
I will lost likely be looking at the ipod nano since it does appear to have the most fluid ui.
Although keep the suggestions coming. I could definitely go for something less expensive.

[jdcarpe]

You could always get a 5th generation iPod Nano with 16GB storage. They were a nice little player, good click wheel UI, and weighed next to nothing. Decent battery life, too.

[JinDesu]

I always found the Sansa Clip+ to be the best bang for the buck, provided you are generally careful with your devices. It is very small, plays FLAC, supports additional micro-SD cards (for FLAC), has a decent equalizer, and great sound output (although I guess my M50s doesn't really have a lot of resistance to drive).

The downside is that the audio port is a bit weak so if you don't take care, you can loosen it. The plus side is that I usually find them for $20 bucks refurbished on Slickdeals, and humorously the last two times I bought them, they sent me an extra one.

Otherwise, the Ipod Nano is good - but no expandable memory.

[Oobly]

(Sansa Clip+ 4GB) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MAPT7U + (Sandisk Ultra 32GB microSD) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M55C0NS + RockBox = Profit

Edit: This is my current setup and serves 24Gigs of FLAC flawlessly. The Clip+ is regarded very highly in the audiophile community, and I chose it over an iPod Touch.

+100!

The Sansa Clip has VERY good audio electronics in there and combined with RockBox firmware to unleash its potential it's unbeatable. iAnything is overpriced and none of them have very good DAC chips and associated circuitry. They're "good enough", but not great and certainly not worth the price, IMHO.

[Coreda]

Why does the Sansa Clip UI have to look so crappy :(

It's like the most recommended portable player yet the UI looks like it's from 2004.

[FrostyToast]

The Sansa Clip does appear to have the best functionality, but the UI of the iPod trumps it by far...
Maybe I should just get my phone fixed?  )

[tp4tissue]

I'm confused.. your phone doesn't work? why not just buy a new phone ?

[jdcarpe]

Yeah, get a OnePlus One for $349. It has 64GB storage. You need a new phone more than a music player, right?

[JinDesu]

Does the UI honestly matter? All I ever needed from the Clip was to press play, press shuffle and repeat, and set the equalizer once.

Or leave the equalizer off and do it on the external AMP/DAC.

The main benefit of the Clip over the Ipod is the drag and drop vs the Itunes.

[MrexD]

Get the sansa clip+
incredible device and well worth the money.

[tjcaustin]

Check out the fiio x1, too.

Or get a sansa.  Not much else I can think of without going used apple or over budget.

[FrostyToast]

Yeah, get a OnePlus One for $349. It has 64GB storage. You need a new phone more than a music player, right?

For one, I am not a fan of oversized phones. 5 inches is pretty much my limit.
Secondly, I am still quite content with my s4. It is slow at times, but it does the job done. Although I am going to get a new one eventually once usb C comes out.

Now that I think about it, I should probably just get the Sansa Clip to hold me off until I decide on a new phone...

[Binge]

Yeah, get a OnePlus One for $349. It has 64GB storage. You need a new phone more than a music player, right?

For one, I am not a fan of oversized phones. 5 inches is pretty much my limit.
Secondly, I am still quite content with my s4. It is slow at times, but it does the job done. Although I am going to get a new one eventually once usb C comes out.

Now that I think about it, I should probably just get the Sansa Clip to hold me off until I decide on a new phone...

The clip will probably out-class what capabilities are in most phones aside from the UI.  Great buy.

[dorkvader]

(Sansa Clip+ 4GB) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002MAPT7U + (Sandisk Ultra 32GB microSD) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00M55C0NS + RockBox = Profit

Edit: This is my current setup and serves 24Gigs of FLAC flawlessly. The Clip+ is regarded very highly in the audiophile community, and I chose it over an iPod Touch.

+100!

The Sansa Clip has VERY good audio electronics in there and combined with RockBox firmware to unleash its potential it's unbeatable. iAnything is overpriced and none of them have very good DAC chips and associated circuitry. They're "good enough", but not great and certainly not worth the price, IMHO.

Agreed I will "upgrade" to a rockboxed clip+ when my rockboxed fuze finally dies.

iAnything is not overpriced. I got a 3rd gen ipod for free and replaced the (broken) HDD with an 80GB one from a broken IBM X40. Runs rockbox, seems to work. Eventually I'll get the case put back on.

The clip will probably out-class what capabilities are in most phones aside from the UI.  Great buy.

rockbox UI outclasses most phones. Clip can't lose. Even runs doom on that OLED one-coloour screen

[tp4tissue]

I've always felt there was too much dc noise on all my smartphones.. ipho, samsun, everything.. 

perhaps pmp is the way to go..  less complications usually mean less noise when it comes to high component density...

[jdcarpe]

You like Legos?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121463567510

[JinDesu]

You like Legos?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121463567510

Stackable to as much storage as you need. Just unplug the earphones and plug into the next one.