Audiophile Music Player for $20

Despite the rise of smartphones equipped with high-quality audio components, portable music players continue to hold their own in popularity, especially as ideal companions for workouts and outdoor activities. However, some players are designed not just for convenience but for an immersive music experience. Today, we explore a truly budget-friendly Chinese model in this category.

Portable music players have not been completely overshadowed by smartphones for several reasons. One key factor is their compact size—small clip-on players are much more convenient during running or gym sessions.

Another segment consists of reference or even audiophile-grade players, known within dedicated communities for their superior sound quality. These devices often outperform the audio capabilities of most modern phones (specifically those without specialized music enhancements or marketed as music phones).

These players tend to be larger and focus solely on audio playback, without additional modules. This design approach allows manufacturers to avoid minimizing the device size aggressively, foregoing flat circuit designs, multilayer boards, and tiny components in favor of larger, time-tested, and more cost-effective parts.

However, browsing specialized forums or stores like Doctorhead.ru reveals that such devices are relatively rare and can be surprisingly expensive. The most commonly recognized reference players include Fiio or the Sansa Clip, familiar to many audiophiles (if you haven’t heard of them yet, it’s worth waiting). Yet, there are also more affordable alternatives available.

Warning: To avoid heated debates among passionate audiophiles, those with extreme audiophile tendencies may want to stop reading here!

The most budget-friendly player that truly delivers excellent sound quality in the lower price range is the RUIZU X06. Here are the key specifications of this compact device:

• Operating system: RockChip Nano B.
• Display: 1.8-inch TFT screen.
• Battery life: approximately 50 hours for compressed formats and 40 hours for lossless audio.
• Connectivity: 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 2.1, miniUSB port.
• Storage: 4GB internal memory with microSD card support up to 64GB.
• Supported audio formats: MP3, WMA, DRM WMA, OGG, APE, FLAC, WAV, AAC-LC, ACELP, Audible.
• Weight: 40 grams.
• Dimensions: 9 × 4.5 × 1.2 cm.

The RUIZU X06 has only a few drawbacks. Its Bluetooth is not fully optimized for stereo headsets due to the lack of aptX support, although it still functions. The firmware is stable but the user interface could be more intuitive. Otherwise, it offers great value.

According to multiple sources such as Headfi.com, the RUIZU X06’s sound quality closely approaches that of the Sansa Clip, a benchmark for budget portable players. Purchasing the RUIZU X06 can save you some money. While the Sansa Clip typically costs around $18 plus shipping and handling from the US (which can increase the total to $30–40—and even more when shipped to China), the RUIZU X06’s price usually ranges between $18–20, including shipping.

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