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Rio 500 still most wanted mp3 player... opinons?

R

rimshaker

Senior member
I've noticed that the Rio500 model is still the most sought after player, even among all the high end models like the rio800. I'm guessing it mostly has to do with flash card support. The newer models only support those overpriced memory backpacks. The only good thing about the backpacks is the recharging feature so you don't need any batteries. But i'd still rather have a rio500... looks better, but only has support for 128MB total memory. .... still worth buying on ebay in your opinions?
 
actually it supports 128mb smartmedia add-in cards + 64mb internal mem...that's 192mb total

i own one and like it, but i wouldnt' call it the best player out there...at low volumes u get a hiss unless u have headphones that allow volume adjustment...leave the rio at mid volume and use the headphone volume control to remove the low volume hiss.

it also makes a funny noise after switching tracks, just at the beginning sometimes...just for a quick second, but still...i believe it's probably the decoder hardware used...i bet newer versions don't have this ultra-mini problem.

everything else is good...user configurable EQ and backlight settings, playlists, bookmarks, very small, good looking, light, portable, no skipping (like the CD/hdd players) and excellent low energy consumption (long battery life).
i've had mine for a couple years now i think...wow, how time flies...i think i'll keep it for a couple more until the next iteration of the ipod or a clone 9but better) comes out...they've yet to work out all the kinks as far as i can tell (regarding memory buffer issues for example)
 
Does it really support 128mb cards?? I was reading up on the latest firmware for it (2.15) and stated it provided only external 64mb support. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't advertise it though. Of course they wanted to push customers to the newer models then. Are you actually using a 128mb card with it now?
 
im, currently using firmware ver. 2.16, which does indeed support 128mb cards.

i can't speak on behalf of older firmware versions tho.

i'm actually using 128mb flash media.
 
Ok cool, i just upgraded my rio500 to firmware 2.16, i didn't even know there was a beta 2.16 out there to support 128mb cards. i was looking to get another rio500 for someone... but they're still giong for well over $100 on ebay.... impressive.
 
Actualy 2.15 supported 128mb cards also.
The reason I wanted another one is because it is the only player I know of that plays audible.com content and uses smart media.
 
I got my Rio 500 three years ago and I still love it. It's even better than new - I upgraded the firmware so there a plenty of features, high volume and absolutely no bugs or other problems. The batteries last a long time, and the included earphones are excellent.
 
Count me in as another Rio 500 fan.
Last Summer Best Buy had a deal on a 128MB Rio 800 for $100 - an incredible price. I bought one and ended up taking it back.
The 800 was a nice unit, and it has MUCH better sound quality than the 500 for sure.
What it doesn't have is a dial - and for me, the dial is key. It makes it SO much easier to change volume, flip through menus, etc.
I think the 500 is just ergonomically a much better design than any of the other players out there. That plus the fact that I couldn't find any software like Riositude that works with the 800, and my decision was made. I kept the 500 and used the money to buy a 128MB SM card so now I have plenty of space on the player.

It's a shame that Diamond/Sonic Blue abandoned this design and all support for the player. I don't know if the sound quality improvements in the newer players are software or hardware, but I wish I could bring them to my 500. I too will wait until I see something similar or better before I upgrade - the thing's been working for about 4 years now, hopefully it'll last.

BTW if any of you 500 owners out there are still using the lousy Rio software to transfer songs to your player, do yourself a favor and check out some of the other programs written by enthusiasts. I use Riositude basically because it's the first one I found, and it's simple and easy to use. You can find more info about this and other programs at RioWorld
 
I bought a Nomad II as well.
Gave it to my wife.
The tuner doesn't tune too well (at least not in my area), I wasn't crazy about the software, and the buttons on the side drove me nuts.
Other than that it's great! 😀
 
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