No… I don’t care any longer if I download flac or mp3 320.

Yes, my DAP device have SD-Slots and I don’t care about the sd storage, but waste space because of differences that I can’t hear? No, sorry.

In the meantime I heard some bad flacs too. Flac means not always good quality.

Only my two cents, with another example.

There are this headphones that you get with in an mp3 player (about 100€). They sound not really bad, at least if you only used headphones like this. There are also a lot of people who are very happy with e.g. Smartphone + “cheap” Bluethoot IEMs. Expensive means +50€ in this case. I used different sony mp3 players between 100 and 200€ for many many years.

Give these users an IEM that cost more than 200€, I am sure many people would say “WTH?”… but not positive… missing bass, sound is “wrong”, … the 200€ thing does not hold in the ears… expensive crap. Reason? Either the device is not good or they do not use the IEM for e.g. a week. I can remember the same. I bought a Shure SE 535 for a Sony MP3 player, terrible sound. So I ordered a DAP Player from Pioneer. But even with the Pioneer, it takes some weeks to notice that the Shure is really much better.

I guess it’s the same if I would replace my SE 535 (about 400€) with an 1000€ IEM, it’s possible that it takes some time before I would hear the 600€ difference or I need another device too.

About “fit in the ear” my experience with the SE 535. I need weeks before I notice that none of the tips works. Either the sound was not good, too big for my ears or they do not hold. I use the trible flanke silicone now, but cut off one flanke and the root a little bit.

I am one of this rare people, who use a smartphone only very rarely. 99,5% of the time it lies on my desk at home.

I don’t need any wireless or apps and a minimum size was very important. A size of a smartphone is too large for me.

So, at the end I bought a Hiby RS2. Great device, but display is a little bit small and there is only a very short manual.