What's the good geek mp3 player right now?

[Muse]

Dunno, I'm still using my SlimX IMP-350. I have two of them. Only use CDR's or CDRW's (which is what I use), so limited capacity, but the feature that has me stuck on it is the inline remote. The remote control is very small and plugs into the player and the headphones plug into the remote. It means I don't have to touch the player to control it. I use it principally in the gym, so I like to be able to control it quickly. Some day I guess I'll get a very small MP3 player with built in flash memory and a good feature set, but until I'm aware of the one to get I'll be happy with what I have. Plus, the feature set is quite extensive and as feature sets go it's incredibly user friendly and thought out. I'm sure the Koreans that designed it used the players extensively. I use mine with Etymotics ER4S earbuds - comfy and great sound.

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Also I read a lot of user complaints that the player often wipes out all your data. Come to think of it, I decided last night against this player because of that... damn.

Really? Any links? That would suck bad if that happened.

Text

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Also I read a lot of user complaints that the player often wipes out all your data. Come to think of it, I decided last night against this player because of that... damn.

Really? Any links? That would suck bad if that happened.

Text

Bummer, I ordered one just last week from Woot, I hope this doesn't happen to me.

 

[handoverfist]

I use a 60 gb ipod with my ultimate ears super.fi 5 pros and it sounds great!

 

[Alienwho]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
Also I read a lot of user complaints that the player often wipes out all your data. Come to think of it, I decided last night against this player because of that... damn.

Really? Any links? That would suck bad if that happened.

Text

My Ipod has been spontaneously wiped clean 5+ times. Same with several friend of mine. It really pisses me off. I would go with the Gigabeat for sure, just because i'm sick of my ipod.

 

[bcterps]

If you don't want the Zen Vision M because of the dongle issue (minor imo, you might be able to find an integrated cable?), I'd suggest maybe one of the Archos video devices, I've also heard good things about Corwin PMPs.

 

[yosuke188]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
grab and ipod and run roxbox on it. lots of file format support. best interface and sound quality and it looks really good.

Seems very popular among the Head-fi folks who loves FLAC and high end headphones plugged into a portable amp.

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: benchiu
If you don't want the Zen Vision M because of the dongle issue (minor imo, you might be able to find an integrated cable?), I'd suggest maybe one of the Archos video devices, I've also heard good things about Corwin PMPs.

Right now the Zen is looking better and better because the dongle seems to be the only downside. I'm not sure about the video devices like the archos because I might be moving to a larger/heavier device with one of those. I am looking to go smaller with this purchase. Not to mention I'd be paying extra for video capabilities that I will probably not use.

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: yosuke188

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
grab and ipod and run roxbox on it. lots of file format support. best interface and sound quality and it looks really good.

Seems very popular among the Head-fi folks who loves FLAC and high end headphones plugged into a portable amp.

So roxbox improves over the default audio quality of the ipod? I've read some reports of poor sound quality from IPod, but others say it's really nice. I'm guessing the people who rag on it are using the stock earphones (I will be using E3c's).

 

[Kaido]

Wow, the Clix looks pretty neat!

 

[bcterps]

I have a Zen Vision M, and right now, for the price (Newegg has it for $165 after rebate I think), it really can't be beat. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what kind of device I wanted. I had contemplated getting a Corwin/Archos/Zen Vision W for video playback, but I decided it wasn't worth the increase in size. I like the form factor of the Zune the best really, but I dislike the restrictions on the system. If Creative had release the Zen Vision M with the same form factor as the Zune, it would be perfect for me. I looked at the Gigabeats as well, but didn't like the battery life. When it came down to make a decision, the Zen Vision M seemed the most versatile platform for me, and the form factor was acceptable to me. It's not perfect by any means, but I enjoy using it thoroughly.

 

[buck]

Anything creative, i am darn happy with my creative zen vision w....

 

[Muse]

This thread is really interesting. My iRiver SlimX IMP-350 has FM, but I find the reception not so hot. Can anyone speak to the sensitivity of the FM reception in these players? Are they all crappy? How about in the Zen Vision M, Gigabeat S?

 

[JackBurton]

Nano

 

[Cobalt]

Originally posted by: bum
For an audio-only player (no color, videos, etc) I think the old school iRiver ihp-120 + rockbox firmware is great.

 

[KingGheedora]

More feedback on ipod audio quality please.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: cobalt

Originally posted by: bum
For an audio-only player (no color, videos, etc) I think the old school iRiver ihp-120 + rockbox firmware is great.

Is it true that the rechargeable li-ion battery in this is not replaceable? A user review of this says just that. I find that incomprehensible. Everyone knows that li-ion rechargeables last 2-3 years if you're lucky (unless you baby the battery).

Edit: Anyway, this has my interest. It has a remote (like my current iRiver SlimX). I still wonder if it's dumpster fodder when the battery dies. I just can't see myself getting an iPod or any other Apple stuff.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
More feedback on ipod audio quality please.

Get one of these and one of these and you'll be set.

 

[mflacy]

Originally posted by: KingGheedora
What about the Zune? No one has mentioned that yet.

I've had a brown Zune for about a month now and I love it. I used the 2 week free trial to download about 20 gigs of music and "convert" it to last much longer than the free trial.

I've been showing it off to my Ipod friends and they are jealous of the screen size. I've got several episodes of the Office & Venture brothers on the Zune and they look fantastic. Easy to convert to wmv as well. The custom wallpaper scene is alive and kicking as well. There are tons of great backgrounds to choose from on the net.

The menu structure is just as good as the Ipod from my experience comparing the two. It's really simple to create a custom play list in the Zune software and sync it up to the Zune in seconds. The transfer rate really kicks ass as well. The Zune software could use a few improvements, but it's definitely functional.

I prefer the casing over the Ipod. It doesn't scratch, smudge, or nick. The size is a little bulky though. The thickness doesn't really bug me that much, but I can see how some people wouldn't care for it.

The sound quality is fantastic, but I may be biased due to the headphones I'm using: Bang & Olufsen ear buds. The EQ is pretty decent and the options are a bit varied. The radio tuner kicks ass as well. I love that names of the songs and artists will pop up if the radio station is providing that info.

The wireless connection is completely moot to me as I've only met 1 other person with a Zune out and about. It's a neat idea, but would work much better with an install base of the Ipod.

Anyway, it's definitely a great player. On a side note, I do find it humorous that it's actually anti-establishment to own a Microsoft product over conforming to Apple's Ipod.

 

[KingGheedora]

Does anyone have feedback on sound quality of the iPod? I'm especially interested in people who have listened to the iPod on good quality, non-stock headphones/earbuds, who have also listened to other mp3 players.

 

[idiotekniQues]

the zen vision:m is definitely a top contender.

 

[LS20]

generally creative HD players are rated to have top notch sound quality, and ipod very close behind... both ahead of competition
my problem with creative was that my zen nx was superb with the display backlight on, but it would emit a hum when the light was off. noticeable in quiet environment listening low volume with good quality earphones.

ipod... no such noises. sounds great

 

[KingGheedora]

Originally posted by: LS20
generally creative HD players are rated to have top notch sound quality, and ipod very close behind... both ahead of competition
my problem with creative was that my zen nx was superb with the display backlight on, but it would emit a hum when the light was off. noticeable in quiet environment listening low volume with good quality earphones.

ipod... no such noises. sounds great

What kind of earphones did you use with the two?

 

[LS20]

shure e2c and e3

 

[Rudee]

I wouldn't waste a dime on a portable audio solution that can't double as a file storage device when needed.