Finally got my hands on the "Legendary" Zune HD. I paid a hefty S$110.00 for a used set with full accessories. 10/10 for working condition but 6/10 for exterior, still I'll rate it a steal.
Why the Zune HD?
1. The unique UI (User Interface).
"Turn on the device and you’re presented with a bright, beautiful, text-only home screen. This is boldly original: Whereas the iPhone and iPod Touch’s main interface features a collection of illustrated icons, Zune’s design guidelines sought to foreground typography. Microsoft licensed a brilliant, minimalist font called Segoe for the Zune, and the device renders its main functions in large, lowercase type. Tap on each menu item—music, videos, etc.—and you dive into the function with a quick, animated zoom. A text-only menu system sounds like it might be boring, but the typography is so pretty, and the software lets you navigate so quickly, that I found it every bit as functional as the iPod Touch’s interface."
As much as I'd want my own content to be original, I can't help but adore the manner which the author articulate the complexity of the UI in such precise, clear and simple English.
Of course, as a replacement to my PSP Slim, I had to do a simple shootout to see if I've really stretched my dollar of have I been cheated.
AKG K601 Headphone
Westome UM1 IEM
PSP slim on 6.60Pro firmware
Zune HD
Songs @ 320kbs (both players do not play FLACC/Wav files. I'm not able to differentiate between wav and 320kbs mp3, so lucky me.)
1. Vanessa Mae - Tango De Los Exilados
This piece starts off soft and slow on the strings before the whole orchestra sets in, there are more climax points than most songs and large details and soundstaging audible. My favourite and must use mp3. Title linked to youtube stream
2. Jayesslee - Officially Missing you
This is a very very accurately studio recorded piece, hence it will reveal every single weakness in your system. I use this song to calibrate the separation of details. Scientifically we are only about to listen from 20hz to 22khz, the frequency range between are where the details are. My ears are still pretty sensitive upwards to 32khz, so I'm quite fussy when it comes to the separation. I'll upload the flacc or 320kbs mp3 if anyone wish to have a try
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3. Olivia - Koini Ochite (Fall in Love)
Without a doubt, Olivia's vocals are the most transparent, clean and "unscathed" So I'll often use this for vocals.
Not a bass head so there's no pieces for that portion, only problem is if the muddy bass starts to distort my mids and treble.
I'll not go into too much details on my verdict. I'll rate this 4/5 stars, 0.5 stars for lack of universal search function and the other 0.5 for lack of shielding for IR. Overall it beats my PSP hands down, I do not have to convert my video in order to let it play on the Zune, the SQ is definitely 1 sided and ending off with a much stronger batt life.
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