Going to buy 1st MP3 Player - Suggest a good site w/ reviews/tips etc.

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
So I'm like one of the last 8 people here on ATF that doesn't have a iPod!

Seriously considering getting a MP3 HD player. But I'd like to get some more info first. Reviews, tips, good software, etc all in one site. (I do know, I won't be getting a iPod-thinking about getting the Creative Zen Touch 20GB for $175 on Amazon.)

So, let me know of a good one-stop mp3 site with good reviews, etc

Thanks
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
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people think that not getting an ipod is sooooo cool. same with not buying from bestbuy, dell, and using linux.

wow you're so cool.
 

iamme

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
21,058
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Originally posted by: sniperruff
people think that not getting an ipod is sooooo cool. same with not buying from bestbuy, dell, and using linux.

wow you're so cool.

yeah and no one buys an iPod because everyone else has one.....
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
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I just picked up an ipod video not too long ago. This is the best MP3 player i have ever used.
 

TallBill

Lifer
Apr 29, 2001
46,017
62
91
Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
I just picked up an ipod video not tool long ago. This is the best MP3 player i have ever used.

Gee, that gives us a whole lot to work with. Maybe you've only used 1 so far?
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
Originally posted by: sniperruff
people think that not getting an ipod is sooooo cool. same with not buying from bestbuy, dell, and using linux.

wow you're so cool.


Thank you! I am cool
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,161
636
126
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
I just picked up an ipod video not tool long ago. This is the best MP3 player i have ever used.

Gee, that gives us a whole lot to work with. Maybe you've only used 1 so far?

Diamond Rio;)

Yes, I had the original back in the day. YAY for parallel port transferring of songs and a whopping 128 meg total capacity.
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
The most important thing to me is Audio Quality, and the ipod is at best, in the middle of the pack. I've listened to a few of the diffrent iPod models, and they actually sound like a step down from my cd player.

And paying at least and extra $100 for equivilant capacity, just to have a trendy iPod-no thanks. For the 2GB iPod Nano, I can get a 20GB Creative Zen Touch with better sound.
 

sniperruff

Lifer
Apr 17, 2002
11,644
2
0
Originally posted by: thatsright
Originally posted by: sniperruff
people think that not getting an ipod is sooooo cool. same with not buying from bestbuy, dell, and using linux.

wow you're so cool.


Thank you! I am cool

ok my serious opinion is that ipod's are fine but they do lack some very essential functions such as a customizable EQ, and they now skim out the AC adapter... which is very very bad on their part considering it probably costs them only $1 to make one but they want you to buy it... bad business practice? yes. does that make the ipod an inferior player? not necessarily.

with that said, you should not rule out the ipod just because everybody has one. who cares about what other people think anyway, it's YOUR mp3 player... apple's firmwares for the ipods have been pretty good, and itunes is not really a PITA to use.

go to bestbuy and check them all out.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
0
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
I just picked up an ipod video not tool long ago. This is the best MP3 player i have ever used.

Gee, that gives us a whole lot to work with. Maybe you've only used 1 so far?

Creative Labs 40gb HD based
RCA Lyra 40GB HD based
RCA Lyra 512mb flash based
Sandisk flash based 2gb
iRock 512mb Flash based
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
Originally posted by: sniperruff
Originally posted by: thatsright
Originally posted by: sniperruff
people think that not getting an ipod is sooooo cool. same with not buying from bestbuy, dell, and using linux.

wow you're so cool.


Thank you! I am cool

ok my serious opinion is that ipod's are fine but they do lack some very essential functions such as a customizable EQ, and they now skim out the AC adapter... which is very very bad on their part considering it probably costs them only $1 to make one but they want you to buy it... bad business practice? yes. does that make the ipod an inferior player? not necessarily.

with that said, you should not rule out the ipod just because everybody has one. who cares about what other people think anyway, it's YOUR mp3 player... apple's firmwares for the ipods have been pretty good, and itunes is not really a PITA to use.

go to bestbuy and check them all out.


Before I buy, I will go to Best Buy and see what the have.

BUT, I can already see in it in my mind now; when I get down there they will have all the models I'm interested in, none of them plugged in or have any music on them I can listen too. AND I won't be able to plug in my new headphones I will use once I finally get a mp3 player.
 

Hacp

Lifer
Jun 8, 2005
13,923
2
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FOr HD players, get the Ipod. For flash, there are better options. IMO, the most important thing about MP3s are price, then size, then battery life.
 
Nov 3, 2004
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Cowon iAudio X5L is nice :)
iPod's line out I've heard is quite good, but their headphone jack's SQ isn't all that special
 

Pathogen03

Golden Member
May 16, 2004
1,056
0
0
I sell MP3 Players for Circuit City, so if you have any questions, PM me



Circuit City may not be best for prices, but I do know a good deal about them comparatively. :)



for value, at the ~$200 range you hit the Ipod Nano, 2g, or 500 songs.
You also hit the Creative Zen Micro, which is 6g (monochrome screen).

for $250 you hit the Ipod Nano 4gig, or the Creative Zen Microphoto (8g, color screen)

There is a good point to getting the ipod over the higher capacity.. the Nano is flash based, so it doesnt have moving parts like the larger capacities to wear down. On a counterpoint, the batteries dont have too much life past 3.0-3.5 years to be honest. But there is a much nicer aftermarket for the ipods, as they charge off a USB cable and conform to specific shape standards. Car chargers, Wall socket chargers, special ipod-adapted FM transmitters, hell you can even get bling for them. Warranty from a retail store may be something worth considering, as I know circuit city offers a 2 year accidental coverage, which means in 23.5 months you can put it in your washing machine then drop it off a balcony and get a gift card of the full value of the ipod, to buy the then-current line of ipod.
 

Pathogen03

Golden Member
May 16, 2004
1,056
0
0
On a counterpoint, Ipods use a rechargeable internal battery.


Others (Creative, Sandisk) use a triple-A battery... so you will need to run rechargeable batteries for those.


Then talking about the higher capacity ipods, if you want most storage per dollar, at the top tiers Creative offers a 20gb (with video ability) for $300, Iriver a 20gb for $350, Apple a 30gb with video capacity for $300, or a 60gb for $400.

Remember, you can use it just like a portable hard drive and store ANYTHING on it.. it can just only play the audio/video. :)



Come down to my circuit city and you can demo my company-issued 4 gig nano for meeting sales goals. :)
 

state 08

Platinum Member
Jun 6, 2005
2,009
0
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I going to go ahead and recommend the ipod

I've had my 3RD Generation Ipod since Feb 04', and I couldn't be happier.

-Awesome UI: If you organize your music, you can find a song within seconds amongst 1000's of songs
-On top of a great UI, there's a great button layout which makes navagating a snap
-Now with VIDEO!: Sure the Video thing is cool, but try to consider it as a cool add-on. Remember, you bought an MP3 player, video is just a bonus.
-Durable like NONE other: I've dropped my ipod on to hard tile from a hight of 11 ft countless times and it still works. I've also dropped it while running on a treadmill at 8 MPH, it fell on the belt, shot back like a bullet, and hit metal pole. I just picked it up, and continued using it!
-Size wise, its pretty thin.
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
BTW, anyone know of a comprehensive site that reviews mp3 players, and mp3 softwear, etc. Thanks
 

mrSHEiK124

Lifer
Mar 6, 2004
11,488
2
0
Pissass sound quality is no longer a problem with iPods, Apple got their act together with the Shuffle, and the nano and 5G have MUCH better sound quality when compared to 4G and older. The only thing I love about the iPod so much is how easy it is to manage music, I'm not talking about using iTunes to organize it on my computer either because my music library on my PC was organized long before I had iTunes, its the copying things onto the iPod that's awesome. Its all using ID3 tags, no need to worry about folder based BS, and Smart Playlists officially kick ass. If you don't want an iPod, I'd advise you AGAINST getting anything Creative, sh!tty drivers and chunkiness [giganto sized players] plague every Creative DAP I've had the displeasure of using, get an iRiver or a Cowon iAudio X5L.
 

doma

Senior member
May 12, 2005
288
1
0
Originally posted by: thatsright
So I'm like one of the last 8 people here on ATF that doesn't have a iPod!

Seriously considering getting a MP3 HD player. But I'd like to get some more info first. Reviews, tips, good software, etc all in one site. (I do know, I won't be getting a iPod-thinking about getting the Creative Zen Touch 20GB for $175 on Amazon.)

So, let me know of a good one-stop mp3 site with good reviews, etc

Thanks

www.cnet.com
 

thatsright

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
3,004
3
81
Originally posted by: Hacp
www.dapreview.net

Why do you want a HD player again? I love flash :). The samsung Ipod shuffle clone looks awesome.


Well, I can get EVERY song I have onto one device, for about the same price as a $200 nano, or some other similar $200 flash based player. I'm a whore for high bit rate ripping, so every song I have is 320K MP3 or just WAV. Though, I must admit I probably have a 'small' collection of about 3,000 songs of 18GB total size.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
38,416
4
0
Originally posted by: TallBill
Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
I just picked up an ipod video not tool long ago. This is the best MP3 player i have ever used.

Gee, that gives us a whole lot to work with. Maybe you've only used 1 so far?

Out of curiosity, have you used the latest gen ipod?

I am no apple fanboy, just search for some of my antiapple threads, i hate them and bought the ipod because it was the only freaking thing that i could buy parts for, cant find power adapters for my RCA and the ones i buy from radio shack that match the specs do not work (some kind of proprietary power system). I still despise apple and i think the ipod is over priced, but that does not change the fact that it is the best mp3 player i have ever owned or used.

Please see my post above where i have listed all the MP3 players i have owned.