Every single component of a signal chain affects the sound.
A connoisseur of classical music would turn up his nose if he listens to sonatas and arias on a cheap MP3 player. The latter are said to still exist.
For many it is understandably simply more practical to use a small MP3 player when running instead of the smartphone. So usability triumphs over quality here. From a technical point of view, MP3 players, CD players or even super audio CD players do have an influence. Everyone has to decide for themselves how far they want to go.
A nice comparison can be made with the screen resolution of computer displays. High resolution displays (e.g. Apple’s “Retina Displays”) provide such a good resolution that our eyes can no longer see any single pixel. The same applies to high-quality components, e.g. good converters that convert the digital signals into analog ones. Assuming your music is of good quality.
→ see also: What effect does the MP3 quality have on my sound?
Nowadays, however, there are fortunately high-quality alternatives to cheap MP3 players that can only play lossy music files. So let’s get back to our connoisseur of classical music from above: If he wants to listen to his sonatas and arias in the best possible way while on the road, he should consider purchasing a digital audio player (DAP). These portable high-end players score with exceptional sound reproduction, because they rely on high-quality components.
→ to the overview: The best digital audio players (DAP)
→ to the overview: The best headphone amplifiers, DACs and DAPs
