Please state price. And your prior mp3 player (if any) so that we would not recommend "downgraded" mp3 
Many factors beside SQ. Basically, Sony mp3 player allows more DSP features like bass boost, etc.
Ipod Nano is on-the-go player. Doesn't really sacrifice SQ.

However, if you wanna play "Line-Out" feature from mp3 player to amp (by passing internal amplifier of the mp3 player), sorry, latest gen ipod nano does not offer it anymore. Sony mp3 still can.

I totally understand your fear of not "listening" to everything, fearing that what you got is not true to the music.

Well, lemme give you some encouragement by saying, there is no IDEAL sound for everyone. While most people I know prefers neutral sound, there are people who prefer more bass, or more treble (brighter, feels like more detail), or more anything. It's totally up to you to say which one you like, and nobody has the right to say you are wrong. Heck, even my brother like +5 bass -5 treble the way he likes his Beats    LOL

Anyway, i checked your Sony S Series, and Sony does offer several DSP which may enhance your listening experience if you're using less than stellar headphones/earphones. Well, for starters, you have Clear Stereo, Clear Bass, and DSEE DSPs to make your songs more pleasure to listen. Compared to Apple IPods, it has fixed EQ choices, which may or may not be your cup of tea.

Well, if you're the kind of person who prefers to leave the settings to default, actually you can leave those Sony DSPs "ON" and still able to rock most of your songs, if not all, and if you don't really nitpicking. Besides, the latest Ipod Nano has lost its unique feature, the Line-Out port, which most audiophiles would love to have in order to let their external amplifiers in total control of the music player. Sony still has it, however, I can't tell you if it's true Line-Out or otherwise as I don't have that kind of data with me currently.

Anyway, it all comes down to personal preferences. If for me, maybe I save up for iPod Classic (which is going to be discontinued soon), or going for Sony F-Series which can be found in the garage sales (Sony Stores have them too, albeit more expensive by Rm400+/-)

Then i don't see any problem with that. So far it's a good deal for the features you wanted.
Remember that since it's portable, the SQ won't matter so much. It's not night and day difference, especially you're listening to music outside, which greatly handicapped the SQ of any player/gear unless it is tightly sealing your ears. Anyway, you won't be critically listening also, which makes the SQ of any player "quite" redundant as your ears ain't having so much time to focus on the music itself.

Samsung YP-P3 would fit the bill nicely.

http://www.samsung.com/sg/consumer/tv-audi...P-P3AB/XSP-spec

Though one problem is it is a little dated and might be hard to come by. Price is not bad too, and can be used as your phone (connect with bluetooth to phone to answer calls and read SMS).

how bout try the hisound nova N1 or N3?

s9 and j3 are the best but good luck finding them. current model which u can consider including x9, z2 and i10. i pick i10 cus the size and interface. z2 use android which i'm not really care about it but the design is slick. x9 is nice with long lasting battery life but quite bulky.

if compare to ipod nano 5th gen, the size is about the same; slightly bigger i think.

http://www.cowonglobal.com/product_wide/iA...duct_page_4.php

sound quality is superb even without tweaking eq or bbe. i'm comparing with ipod touch4/iphone4, zune hd and clip zip with rockbox.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/i10-16-GB-MP4-Play...61202183&sr=8-2

i bought through:
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showuser=216628

around rm600+

yea, i can't find it locally even in singapore no black color available. that is why i use bulk service and decided to order from amazon. how about sony mp3?. http://www.sony.com.my/product/nwz-f804

regarding i10, battery life quite the same either playing flac or mp3. i usually disable sleep function and use power off instead to increase battery life. touch buttons can be troublesome at 1st but nothing major. overall quality is great with matte surface. it match my hf5 perfectly

i am using sansa fuze personally i think that what you are going to use it with first?? if you plan to use it with iem i highly recommend sansa is a very good player for its price and if you want to amp it to power a more powerful headphone you can use lod to connect it to a amp

Had the Hippo Gumstick... starting to die...

I got RM200 on hands...

what player would be the best to replace the Gumstick other than Cube C30?

say... my requirements are
-able to play wav,flac and ape
-easy to read screen/interface
-expandable memory
-small or thin
-long lasting battery(not necessary)

I've seen Sansa Clip+ and Sansa Fuze... not sure if it's a wise choice to change there

Hi guys, need expert opinion and suggestion from you all,

Budget : below 200 (willing for extra if worth it)
been Using : old Sony NWZ-B133F (already dead)
priority: battery life and SQ
usage: gonna use it while studying and long travel

i like clear sound if that help, not really a strong bass fan
advice pls 

thank for ur advices.. hmm, the colourfly look tempting 
i might consider if know the exact price

how about hippo biscuit? i heard the SQ is really great

is it better then c3 than?  how about battery wise?

seriously considering for c3 now.
already contacted selvin. currently waiting for stock