Looking for *Quality* CD\MP3 Player

[MikeOtis]

I?m looking for a CD\MP3 player.

Here are my main concerns:

1) Volume. I don?t need blood to actually be FLOWING from my ears, but I would definitely like a healthy level of volume available. Probably most subjetive quality I could name, but I thought I should throw it out there just the same.

2) I want it to play ALL my MP3 CDs. The ones burned at 40X speed and the ones burned at 2X. The reason I mention this is I have seen some comments from various places online stating that certain players (even the expensive Rio SP250 was mentioned a few times) work much better when the CD is burned at a low speed. I know it sounds like BS, but again I?ve heard it from a few different people, so I don?t know what the deal is there.

3) I want it to play songs encoded up to 320 kps and I want it to play VBR CDs without a hiccup. I am ditching my current unit because it chokes on VBR?s and anything above 192.

And I guess it goes without saying that I want a line-out and an AC connection so I can plug it into my car?s cigerate lighter when on the road.

Budget ? No more then $160 US + shipping. From what I can see the only player that eliminates is the I-River Slim-X (whatever the hell it?s called)


Thanks everybody.

 

[RudeBoie]

The Slim-X is probably pretty close to that in price and well worth it. I decided to get that over the Volt SP250 because of the size.

I've tried the Slim-X with all sorts of VBR and regular encoded MP3 files, and they've all played fine.

You could always try a lower model from Iriver. I think they only real difference would be the LCD remote and rechargeable batteries.

 

[Flashram]

How is the shock protection on the Slim-X? I had the Rio Volt (SP250) for a week and had to return it b/c it skipped while walking with it.

 

[RudeBoie]

I've walked all over campus and done biking without a problem. I think Mp3's have an automatic 8 meg protection, while with CD's you have the option of 45 or 180 secs.

From all other reviews I've read of it, I've never seen skipping stated as a problem.