Trying to decide between a few mp3 players, help me -Now with poll

[trmiv]

So I'm trying to decide between the Sansa e280, Creative Zen vPlus, TrekStor Vibez or the Nano. I currently have a 30 GB Dell DJ, but I really want a small flash based player (although the Vibez isn't flash) that I can keep in my bag. The minimum size I want is 8gb, so the above fit the bill. I know the Sansa is popular choice, but I've heard some don't like the sound quality. I like the Zen v plus, but the small little nav button is a little odd. The TrekStor Vibez is a really cool looking little player, that offers more space than the others, but no FM tuner. I've also heard it has very good sound quality.

Of course the last choice is the Nano. The 8gb model is bit expensive, and I'm not sure I want to get into the whole iTunes thing. I currently use Yahoo Music, but I don't actually own any of the music. I'd have to start over with iTunes. The Nano also lacks the FM tuner.

So, advice? Another 8gb player I should consider?

 

[trmiv]

Bored bump

 

[Linux23]

ipod

/thread

 

[George P Burdell]

ipod + itunes =

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

I'm part of a minority of people in this boat, but I'm not a fan of iTunes, nor am I of their alternatives to make it a drag and drop scenario. I've messed around with a few alternatives and that didn't work well. I really like the build quality, style, etc. of iPod Nano's, and I'll get over the price, but I want to drag and drop.

There are two things:
1. Either those alternatives for drag and drop are really just a hassle
or
2. I made a mistake when I was trying to get them to work

I've looked at the 1-2GB models of the Sansa and while I really like it so far, I have the same issue - sound quality. I need to hear it in person to see what everyone is talking about.

I just started looking tonight because I might end up caving in and getting something because I'm walking around quite a bit and it would be nice if I had a portable MP3 player.

 

[Journer]

nkgreen has a trekstor and he loves it

 

[trmiv]

Yea, this sound quality thing with the Sansa keeps popping up. I like the Samsung T9 too, but the capacity is too small, I need an 8gb player now since I'm selling the DJ to a friend. I guess it might be between the Nano, the Zen and the TrekStor now.

 

[CTrain]

I have the Sansa 4gb and I love it.
4gb is more than plenty if you don't store videos.

If you can wait, there are a variety of new DAPs coming to the market.
The one I'm interested in the the Clix 2 from IRiver.

 

[trmiv]

The clix 2 looks awesome, but it doesn't come out until April, which is a bit to far out. I'd be without a player for two months after I sell the DJ.

 

[HaxorNubcake]

nano +1

 

[trmiv]

3 for the Nano so far. I keep going back to it as well, I love how simple it is. Aside from the FM, I won't use the extra features of the others.

 

[ForumMaster]

nano's great. i love my mini and i don't have a single itunes song on my iPod. i only use iTunes to put songs on there but there are plenty of alternatives. plus apple does offer (a slightly expensive i agree) FM Tuner add on.

 

[imported_UncivilizedAMD]

I heard both the sansa E280 and nano. The Sansa has better preset EQ settings. It has an FM radio and a voice recorder which is a huge plus for me since I am a student. The voice recorder is amazingly good, better than a 150 dollar Sony voice recorder I got last year. The Nano has more power so volume is higher. I can use Windows explorer and just drag and drop with the Sansa whereas with the Ipod u gotta use itunes. SQ is up to the listener but I like the Sansa slightly better. The nano has gapless playback which is a huge plus for some people.

 

[Maleficus]

Sansa Express

 

[krotchy]

Apple and their fanatics bug the crap out of me, and most of their stuff is overpriced for the hardware you get.

That being said I have an Ipod Nano 8GB and love it. The accessory list for ipods is insane enough to make them more than worthwhile and the 2G nano is a nice sleek aluminum with a good interface and sound Q.

 

[trmiv]

I have to say I'm a bit surprised at the positive Nano opinions. I kind of expected "Apple sux0r2!!!!!" or something like that. The Nano seems to be in the lead here.

 

[trmiv]

Any more opinions? Looking to buy today.

 

[potato28]

Nano's this round are pretty good, but I like the Sansa's feel better. But I don't have either, just my lonely Zen Vision: M

 

[Hyperlite]

+1 for the Sansa...ultimate ease-of-use is a big plus for me.

 

[Vic]

Zen.

Why pay more to limit yourself to iTunes just to join in on the hype?

 

[ttown]

I have an older Sansa e130 -- and was a bit concerned before purchase because of average reviews on sound quality.

I've since upgraded the headphones and am happy.

(Although, the volume control is starting to flake out... But the newer sansa's don't have the same physical volume wheel that mine does)

I suspect any issue regarding sound quality on a name-brand player can be fixed by getting better headphones.

edit: drag and drop FTW!

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: trmiv
I have to say I'm a bit surprised at the positive Nano opinions. I kind of expected "Apple sux0r2!!!!!" or something like that. The Nano seems to be in the lead here.

k....

Apple sux0rZ!!!!!1111oneone!

honestly though, I don't like the ipod (tbh I find all this "i" stuff annoying). I'd get a sansa or a zen.

 

[Brainonska511]

They are probably all fine choices. For me, I went with a Creative MuVo v100 (1GB) when it had a rebate at Buy.com ($30 AR). The AAA battery is great because I don't have to worry about the eventual wear-down of a rechargeable. Also, it doubles over as a USB drive (no drivers required). The only downside is that it is USB 2.0 (not high-speed) so transfers can take some time.

 

[Toonces]

I have the e280
Went from the 30GB iPod to the e280 and although I miss the storage I can't say it's any worse than the almighty "iPod Experience" you'll have with iTunes.
Just drag & drop is quite easy, SQ is on par with the iPod 30GB 5G (I haven't used a Nano personally so can't comment there), and the interface is almost; read 9/10ths as good as an iPod's. I wouldn't hesitate to get one again; mine was a boxing day special for $200 CAN compared to a 8GB Nano for $299 it was a no-brainer.

 

[Kaido]

I had an 8gb Sansa. I really liked it, especially the manual scrollwheel. Sold it because I stopped using the Rhapsody service and now I just use my 2g iPod Shuffle.