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Topic: Portable mp3 player (Read 6154 times) previous topic - next topic
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Portable mp3 player

Hi guys,

Heres my first post..  I know nothing about mp3 players because I simply ignored them due to their price.  This summer however it seems like im gonna have a job and will spend quite some time in the metro.  I want to buy an mp3 player.  Generally i consider myself an audiophile and archive my music in mpc.  However there is no mpc portables..


Heres is what im looking for in a player:

- budget -- about 200 +/- $50
- play VBR mp3s (other formats like OGG, flac is a plus)
- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally
- not too heavy
- sound quality
- no need for video playback!
- fansy shmancy stuff is not a priority
- medium size 4-6 GB seems good (larger is a plus)
- I understand there are no flash ones with that size

So today I tried to look for reviews, rankings but I could not find like a good guide.  My only "guide" is the mp3 players on newegg sorted by "reviews" -- that sprting technique's been my indicator for ages.

And for my price range, here's what's best according to number of "reviews"
http://eng.iaudio.com/product/product_X5_feature.php

What can you guys recommend me?

Portable mp3 player

Reply #3 –
No responses .. ?

Portable mp3 player

Reply #4 –
Hi,

I personaly have an iRiver H340 and love it to bits and have recommended friends and family to purchase one.  It's a bit big for what you want though and probably too expensive so not really a good recommendation.  You can however play lossless files such as Flac and Wavpack after updating the firmware to Rockbox.

I would suggest you go to www.misticriver.net and post the same question you have posted here and see what people say.  It's an iRiver site and may be a little biased towards iRiver but you will also get a lot of people who will hopefully give you a helping hand.   

Good luck.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Unknown on
- budget -- about 200 +/- $50
- play VBR mp3s (other formats like OGG, flac is a plus)
- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally
- not too heavy
- sound quality
- no need for video playback!
- fansy shmancy stuff is not a priority
- medium size 4-6 GB seems good (larger is a plus)
- I understand there are no flash ones with that size
iPod Nano 4GB has flash memory. (I wouldn't be surprised if they have a 6 or 8 GB version by Christmas.)
AFAIK, with Rockbox firmware it can play Musepack, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WavPack, and more.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Cosmo on
iPod Nano 4GB has flash memory. (I wouldn't be surprised if they have a 6 or 8 GB version by Christmas.)
AFAIK, with Rockbox firmware it can play Musepack, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WavPack, and more.


Ouuuuuuuu -- I did not know about that Rockbox thing!!!  Thanks so much, now iPod might be amongst my choices.  Only thing is only 4 GB I am not sure if Ill be satisfied with so little and the 30Gb model is out of my range.  iRiver H series seem to have good attention but they are kinda pricey

Gee looking at that  Rockbox firmware thing I need to definitely get a player that supports it.  Then t will be perfect to import my mpc and enjoy my collection...

Portable mp3 player

Reply #7 –
I think im definitely gonna shoot for an iRIver!! (1. rockbox 2. FM) about 20GB.  Tiger Direct has a deal for H10  -- only 179!!!!  not sure if the H10 support rockbox tho.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/se...TC-PRICEGRABBER

Portable mp3 player

Reply #8 –
From what I can remember there was some problems with the H10 when it first came out.  You should really head over to misticriver and find out what the word is on the palyer.  I think one of the biggest problems was the lack of support for audio codecs such as Ogg and the like.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Unknown on
30Gb model is out of my range.


It's only 50 bucks above your budget. And it is really, really worth it.

With Rockbox, there is little to complain about iPods.

I still use the original FW, though.
I'm the one in the picture, sitting on a giant cabbage in Mexico, circa 1978.
Reseñas de Rock en Español: www.estadogeneral.com

Portable mp3 player

Reply #10 –
Well actually im gonna go w/ iriver H1xx model  Added the rockbox i can play anything.  Can get a 20-49 Gb one for lower than 200 bucks! on ebay new, just without the remote.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #11 –
I have a Rio Carbon Pearl and is a great little player

INFO
:Foobar 2000:
:MPC --standard:
:iRiver H320 Rockboxed:

Portable mp3 player

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Unknown on
- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally

Well this kind of eliminates HDD portables since once dropped... yeesh.

If it weren't for this condition I would have recommended an Archos Gmini XS202.
Here is a nice topic as well. I have described the Archos there if you're interested.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #13 –
Well, I need player that has Rockbox supprt becase I need the MPC playback feature bad!

Only problem im finding outthat those H1xx and H3xx offered on Ebay are refirbished and have issues and defects .. (  As close as I was to finally buy something it turn out that its a bit of a gamble..

Can anyonetell me where can I buy a cheap iriver H1xx or H3xx
 

Portable mp3 player

Reply #14 –
Quote from: _Raziel-BG on
Quote from: Unknown on

- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally

Well this kind of eliminates HDD portables since once dropped... yeesh.




Nonsense.  I've dropped my Ipod several times and its not broken, and of the half dozen or so Ipod i've seen with broken disks, all stopped working during normal use or while charging, not from being dropped.  1.8" drives are really strong, and when they fail its almost always due to manufactoring defect, not force.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Cosmo on
Quote from: Unknown on
- budget -- about 200 +/- $50
- play VBR mp3s (other formats like OGG, flac is a plus)
- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally
- not too heavy
- sound quality
- no need for video playback!
- fansy shmancy stuff is not a priority
- medium size 4-6 GB seems good (larger is a plus)
- I understand there are no flash ones with that size
iPod Nano 4GB has flash memory. (I wouldn't be surprised if they have a 6 or 8 GB version by Christmas.)
AFAIK, with Rockbox firmware it can play Musepack, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WavPack, and more.



I'd recommend the ipod nano too. 4gb is surely enough IMO, because syncing is fast and very easy. If you don't go on long trips or flights for example and only need the player for travelling to work or something, the nano 4gb will perfectly suit your needs.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #16 –
Don't forget the iPod mini. It has been discontinued, but you can still find them in some stores at very appealing prices. Also, looking at your request list, it seems to fit in perfectly:

- budget -- about 200 +/- $50 -> It costs roghly €200, I bought one for my girlfriend for €165.
- play VBR mp3s (other formats like OGG, flac is a plus) -> Yup, after you put rockbox in it.
- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally -> Can't really say, but it's carefully assembled and looks solid (and good).
- not too heavy -> Check.
- sound quality -> You might have to buy new headphones (the included ones are said to be crappy).
- no need for video playback! -> The display is monochrome (saving you battery and costs).
- fansy shmancy stuff is not a priority -> erm..?
- medium size 4-6 GB seems good (larger is a plus) -> Check.
- I understand there are no flash ones with that size -> HD-based

Just make sure you get a 2nd-gen iPod mini.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #17 –
2nd gen ipod?? Hmm, does not the Rockbox support only

" iPod 4G, Color/Photo, Nano or Video"

I am not tryingto get anything from the new releases. I am not tryingto be fashionable and get latest gens ot whatever.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Mike Giacomelli on
Quote from: _Raziel-BG on

Quote from: Unknown on

- durable enough not to break in a pocket or if dropped incidentally

Well this kind of eliminates HDD portables since once dropped... yeesh.




Nonsense.  I've dropped my Ipod several times and its not broken, and of the half dozen or so Ipod i've seen with broken disks, all stopped working during normal use or while charging, not from being dropped.  1.8" drives are really strong, and when they fail its almost always due to manufactoring defect, not force.

Could be. But I dropped my Archos Gmini XS202 while copying files and it stopped working. Could have been due to a faulty device in the first place but it must have been quite a coincidence.
I got it replaced having said it had faulty software, though. Not sure what had been the real reason.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #20 –
I have a iAudio X5 from Cowon, and it plays Flac, Ogg, VBR in Mp3, WMA, WAV, and the sound is the best I've heard until now, I have a Zen Xtra 60Gb, a PSP, a Zen Micro, and a iPod 30gb of the last generation, and the sound simply is the best I've heard. Plus it has BBE sound wich is also used on my Sony LCD. It's a new tech.

Also it has line in and line out, line records to MP3 at 320kbps, and a micro that records voice to 128kbps.
It has USB host to transfer files or delete without need for a computer.
AND!!! It doesn't need software to be recognized on computer! It's just drag and drop!

I will buy next the Cowon A2 wich plays Xvid and Divx without the need to convert, and has the same exact features as the X5.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #21 –
Quote from: Maglor on
I have a iAudio X5 from Cowon, and it plays Flac, Ogg, VBR in Mp3, WMA, WAV, and the sound is the best I've heard until now, I have a Zen Xtra 60Gb, a PSP, a Zen Micro, and a iPod 30gb of the last generation, and the sound simply is the best I've heard. Plus it has BBE sound wich is also used on my Sony LCD. It's a new tech.

Also it has line in and line out, line records to MP3 at 320kbps, and a micro that records voice to 128kbps.
It has USB host to transfer files or delete without need for a computer.
AND!!! It doesn't need software to be recognized on computer! It's just drag and drop!

I will buy next the Cowon A2 wich plays Xvid and Divx without the need to convert, and has the same exact features as the X5.


Obviously I don't recommend any iPods... too much obligations [iTunes is horror] and no advantages.

Portable mp3 player

Reply #22 –
I would like to add my vote for Cowon iAudio here. I have a G3 (1GB) player and I really love it.

Pros:
[blockquote]
*Very good audio quality
*Plays mp3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA
*Powered by just one common (rechargeable) AA battery
*universal USB mass storage device
[/blockquote]
Cons:
[blockquote]
*only 1GB
*does not recharge battery when connected to USB
*a little bit too expensive
[/blockquote]