Time for a new MP3 player!

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L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Update: Got a gigabeat F20. My gf gave it to me a week early for my birthday, because she knows I'm an impatient bastard. I'll post a short review in a little while.

The other day I smashed the headphone jack of my Karma. I'm still not really sure how it happened--too much crap stuffed in my bag. Now, my headphones wiggle in the jack slightly, the sound cuts out. Supremely annoying since I walk around for almost half my work day. I've taken it apart and the solder points look fine, and adjusted the tension of the metal connectors in the jack so there's a firm grip, but the problem remains, both with me e3c's and any other phones I try. :(

I love the Karma and am considering getting another since they're so cheap. However, there are a lot of really cool players out and coming out in the next couple months. So, I'm thinking I may go for one of the newer players.

My latest choices are:

Toshiba Gigabeat MEG-F40S *Top choice ATM*
Advantages:
Dead Sexy
Beautiful color screen
40GB
Approx. same size as iPod
16 hr battery life/charges through USB
Good equalizer
Disadvantages:
40GB player is 3mm thicker than 20GB
New 40GB player will be out sometime using perpendicular HD storage for same thickness as 20GB
Price

Dell DJ 30 *cheap*
Advantages:
Inexpensive
30GB
Disadvantages:
Dead Ugly
Wonky interface
Crappy screen/no color

iAudio X5 *where's the ID3 database???*
Advantages:
Somewhat Sexy
30GB
USB Host (nice..for camera dumps and if I get a PSP)
Plays video (meh...)
Nice remote
FM Tuner (meh...)
Nice size
Charges through USB
Disadvantages:
Crappy screen
NO ID3 DATABASE?!?! Deal killer, although there is mention of updated firmware coming soon, which keeps it in the running for me.
COLOR SOUND? Uh...great.

Finally, I'm still thinking about the 20GB Gigabeat as it's $60 cheaper and 3mm thinner than the 40GB. Although I'd really like more storage after using a 20GB player for the past 2 years or so.
 
M

mzkhadir

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2003
9,509
1
76
x5 firmware is for downloading from pay sites. I don't know anything about id3 database
 
K

KarenMarie

Elite Member
Sep 20, 2003
14,372
6
81
I just got a Zen touch the other day.

I was surprised... it is a lot better than i thought it was gonna be. I had an iPod last year... wasnt impressed and sold it.
 
M

mzkhadir

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2003
9,509
1
76
I have the touch now, I think the middle strip is too sensitive and they haven't made a new firmware for that one yet.
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: mzkhadir
x5 firmware is for downloading from pay sites. I don't know anything about id3 database
Click to expand...
I read something about it in the early review on DAPreview.

Zen Touch is too big.
 
C

Coquito

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2003
8,559
1
0
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: Coquito
I still want a .flac/.shn player.
Click to expand...
Want to buy a slightly damaged Rio Karma? ;)
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think it looks worse then all the other models you're picking from. Just the physical aspect of it.

It needs shn too. Maybe some .ape as well.
Those files are pretty big, might as well make it a 200gb player.

I'll wait a couple more years. :|
 
E

exilera

Senior member
Apr 12, 2005
940
0
0
I got my Zen Micro recently. It's fantastic. Audio is great with my Shure e2c canalphones. I wouldn't want anything else.

With the latest firmware, it's compatible with all the music stores, and WMP10. The touch pad is not overly sensitive and is pretty responsive. It's easy to change songs and navigate the menus.

I got a Rhino skin case for it (perfect fit) and a caselogic arm band case, and use it at the gym. Very, very convenient. I can't praise it enough.
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: BDawg
I noticed you didn't have an iPod on your list. It should be.
Click to expand...
Can't play wma, so I don't want one.
Originally posted by: exilera
I got my Zen Micro recently. It's fantastic. Audio is great with my Shure e2c canalphones. I wouldn't want anything else.

With the latest firmware, it's compatible with all the music stores, and WMP10. The touch pad is not overly sensitive and is pretty responsive. It's easy to change songs and navigate the menus.

I got a Rhino skin case for it (perfect fit) and a caselogic arm band case, and use it at the gym. Very, very convenient. I can't praise it enough.
Click to expand...
Already have one (it's the girlfriend's), but I need more storage. I agree, it's a great player, though.
 
M

mwmorph

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2004
8,877
1
81
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: Coquito
I still want a .flac/.shn player.
Click to expand...
Want to buy a slightly damaged Rio Karma? ;)
Click to expand...

get another karma. no idv3 is inexcusable.
dell dj is merely adequate.
gigabeat, idk about you but the interface seems wonky.

karma has all that yuo want, so why not?
 
G

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
I'd go with the x5, Karma supports gapless playback and may sound slightly better, but in exchange you get radio, recording and true UMS support.
 
A

arod

Diamond Member
Sep 26, 2000
4,236
0
76
For the price difference go with the karma.... or wait for the new Karma.
 
L

loup garou

Lifer
Feb 17, 2000
35,132
1
81
Originally posted by: Gurck
I'd go with the x5, Karma supports gapless playback and may sound slightly better, but in exchange you get radio, recording and true UMS support.
Click to expand...
No ID3 tag DB, though...File tree browsing sucks.
Originally posted by: arod
For the price difference go with the karma.... or wait for the new Karma.
Click to expand...
I'm losing faith with Rio, supposedly they've dumped their current K2 plans and are moving into designing a whole new player (K3). Plus I'd like something slimmer.

Why can't they just make a player with a color screen, same form factor as the current Karma but half the thickness, 30GB, color screen and >10 hours playback time, and the same interface and features as the current Karma? :(
 
T

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: Gurck
I'd go with the x5, Karma supports gapless playback and may sound slightly better, but in exchange you get radio, recording and true UMS support.
Click to expand...

Plus there is some hope that it will improve over time, unlike the karma which has more or less been abandoned by Rio.
 
V

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
Another one to consider, Archos Gmini 400.

Played with one yesterday, it would be a fun little toy.

Viper GTS
 
G

Gurck

Banned
Mar 16, 2004
12,963
1
0
Originally posted by: werk
Originally posted by: Gurck
I'd go with the x5, Karma supports gapless playback and may sound slightly better, but in exchange you get radio, recording and true UMS support.
Click to expand...
No ID3 tag DB, though...File tree browsing sucks.
Click to expand...
Is your collection very messy? Personally I prefer directory structure sorting & browsing, but then my collection is meticulously organized.
 
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