MP3 Players

Caracol · Post by **Caracol** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 2:50 pm

I'm searching for an MP3 player that suits my needs and maybe some client feedback could help. What do you have?

I've been reading about the ones from Creative and look like a good alternative to the iPods (which aren't something I would pay for), the minis with 4-6GB and the big ones with 20-30-40GB. The problem with these is apparently the touchpad which is really hard to control.
There's also a non-HDD based stick I saw, from "MRS" (whatever that is) with 2GB and with a quite good handling, although not idiot-proof (a simple drag and drop of your folders will arrange the single files as Windows wishes, most likely randomly).

What I'm looking for is a big but not so big capacity (more than 6GB is out of the league), replaceable battery, more than 10-15h of playback, good sound (those cheap sticks use to have a crappy output), long lasting life (more like, hard enough to survive normal crashes) and easy access to the PC.
It should have the possibility to simple connect and transfer files of any kind for sharing reasons and about the playable music I don't mind of an external software to make it as long as it doesn't re-rip the files (like Sony does). I don't really know how exactly the Creative Zen's work with this, how and what the software does, so if any of you got one of these would be nice to hear some words.

At the moment I have this Sony piece of junk "Network Walkman" (NW-e102) which is nothing more than that, junk. And knowing how Sony works with their players I don't want another. And iPod is also out of the list.

Thank you in advance.

Sovnig · Post by **Sovnig** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:17 pm

If I actually bothered to find you a nice one, would it be better that it fulfilled your requirements in the cheapest way possible - or in the best?

Caracol · Post by **Caracol** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:20 pm

In the best for a start, I will limit the budget after seeing enough options and actually knowing where the prices are.

Post by **Den** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 3:56 pm

i'm liking the ipods alot, cool design. I dont really know any other good mp3 player so, sorry

well maybe my fone w800

Sovnig · Post by **Sovnig** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 4:03 pm

this link

Should have about what you need, it's in danish but I think you'll manage (it's taken from a danish edb-database, where different products are rated. I searched for your criteria and a rate of minimum 4/5 stars)

At least this come up with some names you can investigate...

cloN · Post by **cloN** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 6:51 pm

I got this Olympus M-robe 100, the only thing that is bad with this one, is the program that comes with.

W1lco · Post by **W1lco** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:07 pm

http://us.creative.com/products/product ... oduct=9288

Cheap & very good! exchange able batteries and so on.. i got the 30GB version btw,

Stric · Post by **Stric** » Thu Jun 15, 2006 8:41 pm

Maybe [search]Sandisk mp3[/search] c100 series

Mutu · Post by **Mutu** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 2:34 am

Ipod ftw

Haur · Post by **Haur** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:43 am

NEVER buy an Ipod.. I have an Ipod mini and it sucks.. The problem is not the touchpad.. It's the battery, it lasts app. 45mins. And its the same with my kid brothers.. I have only heard good things about the Creative Zen series.. Preferably: Mirco and Sleek

Micro: http://www.hifipriser.dk/Listprices.asp?ID=150433

Sleek: http://www.hifipriser.dk/Listprices.asp?ID=150441

Happy hunting!

fuct · Post by **fuct** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 6:10 am

I know the thread is called mp3 players but if u are looking for an alternative a minidisc player is a good choice. I have a sony one that connects via USB and its basically like an mp3 player with unlimited memory. Just a suggestion.

emu · Post by **emu** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 9:42 am

fuct wrote:I know the thread is called mp3 players but if u are looking for an alternative a minidisc player is a good choice. I have a sony one that connects via USB and its basically like an mp3 player with unlimited memory. Just a suggestion.

I have mp3 player and Mini Disc. Mini Disc is an excelent choise if you dont buy an mp3 player indeed.

Caracol · Post by **Caracol** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 12:43 pm

Dunno about the MiniDisc deal, if I will get me a player I'd prefer to get rid of expendable items as discs or cards or tiny sticks.

I think the most interesting alternative at the moment are Creative's Zens, the Jukebox Xtra seems like too much for me, 20GBs or more sounds like something bigger than my OS' HDD. A color display and imaging support is useless since I always carry my camera. And I think that a 1GB-2GB stick won't be enough after a while.
So apparently the choice is: the 20GB Zen Touch, big and tough, good quality and very good valued as I read in some websites. The problem with it is the internal battery and some troubles (which apparently are gone after a firmware update) using it as extern HDD. I would love some comments about it if someone knows.
Then there is the Zen Sleek, which has also 20GB capacity, I suppose the same qualities as the above mentioned but smaller and more stylish, hence at a bigger price.
There are also the Zen Micros, with around 6-8GB and the old ones with exchangeable battery and look quite neat, but also costlier than the Touch.
And then is the one Wilco mentioned, which I suppose is the most expensive and newest from the Creative squad, and also a way too big HDD. But I would love some more comments about it Wilco, if you mind.

The Sandisks look neat, but I think for that price I can get one of the Creatives and lack the need of upgrading later for bigger capacity.

The one you mentioned cloN looks like having a really fucked up software.

Mutu, shush.

Thanks a lot, and if someone has a Creative I would love to have a chat or read some feedback.

emu · Post by **emu** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:25 pm

just stay the fuck away from iPod, and youll get a good mp3 player.

iler · Post by **iler** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:16 am

emu wrote:just stay the fuck away from iPod, and youll get a good mp3 player.

I haven't got any problems with my iPod (nano). My friends haven't got any problems with their iPods (nano, regular, photo, mini). But still it isn't the only proper player out there. I can run my iPod for several hours (I have never really measured the exact time) without problems. I bet that every mp3-player has got a group of users which say that this player sucks, don't buy it. And every manufacturer produces 'bad shipments' every now and then, that's just not Apple or Creative. You can just think if Apple sold 10 million (?) iPods last year so that kind of amount of electronics will surely include some poor quality shipments. It goes with all kinds of electronic stuffs. Maybe iPod is a bit overrated but still it's a good mp3-player, as Creative is too.