Need a new player, my ipod is dead.

Some people have fixed their ipod by restoring the ipod, or even putting Rockbox on it.

No idea, I have a 5 gen ipod also.

Do a search on the forums for 5th Gen or 5.5gen ipods, they are generally well liked on these forums ,some say they have one of the best SQ of any ipods. You could always get the battery replaced.

-But anyway, do a quick search in the portable source section of the forums, Cowon, Sansa, ipod, S:flo, Sony are all popular to different people. 

What headphones do you use?

And....sorry about your wallet.

If you want sound quality and the most amazing hardware and software interface(s) you have ever seen go for a Cowon J3 or S9... it makes your headphones sound better and has some of the best EQ effects you will likely hear. Ipod EQ is complete crud in comparison, and the Cowon plays flac, mp3, wav, wma... just not aac. You can convert 'protected' (DRM crippled) aac though... just google for a DRM removal tool. I have, just tonight, converted my FLAC collection back to mp3... it was not worth it to have it in FLAC, because there was no difference save file size.

If you ever meet anyone with a Cowon, give it a listen... you will never buy another inferior brand. (notice the period!)

Buying a battery from eBay and replacing it yourself is actually pretty easy (I did it for my 5.5g 60GB iPod Video) so unless you're dead set on getting a new player, that's your best option. The battery I bought was less than $10 shipped and came with the tools you'll need to open the iPod case. Installation after you've opened the case is pretty straightforward.

I have a Sansa Fuze, I think it's a great player and an excellent bargain. I've been testing Rockbox on it, seems to eat the battery faster but otherwise I like it. I prefer the SQ over my 3rd gen iPod (now used only in the car). Also, the FM radio is very handy. I simply mount it as a USB drive, works fine on either Windoze or Linux.

I also have a Sony X1061. Great SQ, and I enjoy the features like Slacker,  built-in NC (works great in noisy places, use any other 'phones or iems otherwise), youtube, etc. The price is outrageous, I only got it because I stumbled onto a great deal at the local Sony outlet. I was shopping for a pair of NC headphones (not Bose), and found the X for just a bit more than the NC phones I was considering. At nearly $400 list I suspect it's a slow mover at the outlet and they wanted to get rid of it.

Buy a new battery for your iPod and buy a Clip+ for running/gym. Later down the track if capacity becomes an issues with your iPod you can easily install a larger HDD fairly cheaply.

That's what I'd be doing.

What this man said.  Buy the 32gb Cowon J3 and be happy.  When my iPod Classic started doing my head in, I sold it and got a J3. Best thing I could have done.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenswall 

If you want sound quality and the most amazing hardware and software interface(s) you have ever seen go for a Cowon J3 or S9... it makes your headphones sound better and has some of the best EQ effects you will likely hear. Ipod EQ is complete crud in comparison, and the Cowon plays flac, mp3, wav, wma... just not aac. You can convert 'protected' (DRM crippled) aac though... just google for a DRM removal tool. I have, just tonight, converted my FLAC collection back to mp3... it was not worth it to have it in FLAC, because there was no difference save file size.

 

If you ever meet anyone with a Cowon, give it a listen... you will never buy another inferior brand. (notice the period!)

The Cowon interface is more complex with more options than the iTouch... that being said it can look exactly like one, same grid of icons, black background, you name it... It can also act like a Zune HD. Or you can use some UIs far superior to either one of those, more options, fewer, you name it. performance wise, my S9 can scroll faster than an iTouch, but the animation is not as smooth (because its moving faster, imagine that!) also you can go up a file level using a backswipe, unlike an ipod where you are forced to touch the 'back' button. Also, the S9 can be controlled from in your pocket, with the screen off, anything, as it has all necessary buttons along the top. The biggest thing is choice... with the Cowon there are 50 or more interfaces... with the iPod you have one, and it cannot change. I personally have a harder and slower time navigating an iTouch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenswall 
 converted my FLAC collection back to mp3... it was not worth it to have it in FLAC, because there was no difference save file size.

now when you say converted BACK to mp3. you dont mean that you converted your mp3s into flac files and expected a difference did you?... cuz i give lectures.

^I totally understand, and know this lecture myself... To clarify, I re-ripped my CD's back to my standard mp3 format... all encoding was done straight from a legitimate CD, and I still can't tell the difference, imagine that! Now I am debating re-ripping (x3) to OGG for even better file compression (30% from what I have read) Hope that clears the air a bit!