Finally upgraded my 602 to Rockbox based on mostly positive feedback throughout this post. I am happy that I did!
The installation was quite easy. There are no Mac specific instructions so I used a Windows virtual machine to edit the .IMG file. I am sure this can be done on a Mac but I could not find a simple way to do it. This is definitely not as easy as installing Rockbox through the RB Utility on a supported stable build (I got it installed and running beautifully on an iPod Mini 2G with a large Compact Flash) but I did not encounter any issues.
Generally I really like it. It is dramatically better to use compared with the original firmware which I find horrible. Nice to have many of the luxuries you get with any modern DAP - from gapless to artwork. Soundwise I cannot hear any difference when playing the same tracks through the Rockbox or the original firmware (you can still boot into the original one with no problem - nice to have).
Battery life seems much shorter as others reported. My 602 heats much more than before so I guess something inside the case is working harder at playing the same music. Quite handy in the UK winter to warm my hands but I would trade the heat for longer battery life
EDIT:
I also had trouble initialising the Rockbox database - it seems to be stuck with the "Building Database" independently of which tracks I load on the SD card. This was with a Kingston Type 4 SD which works well with the original firmware. I swapped the SD for an ultrafast Sandisk Extreme (which never worked with the Hifiman original firmware) and now the database initialises and works beautifully!
I'm getting random 'Data abort at...' crashes with the new version
What's the best way of installing a previous version?
Edit - Installed HungryDaze's 'previous version of rockbox with 0.19' above and .rockbox 04/03 from http://www.forum.mycroft.su/index.php?showtopic=99&st=0&p=2595&#entry2595
I'm getting random 'Data abort at...' crashes with the new version
What's the best way of installing a previous version?
Edit - Installed HungryDaze's 'previous version of rockbox with 0.19' above and .rockbox 04/03 from http://www.forum.mycroft.su/index.php?showtopic=99&st=0&p=2595&#entry2595
You are the first one who has such an error... New version works fine on my device. On russian forum there were no complayints at all. With the last update HM-801 heats less and workes more than 7 hours. I advise you to try it out again. Instalation process is described in the rockbox wiki.
Thanks HungryDaze, I installed from Mac and Windows (via VMware Fusion) but still got random crashes. Don't know what I'm doing wrong but the version you have posted is working, and what's more it seems to have fixed the ALAC freezing issues I was having with the previous version!
Perfect - exactly what I needed,
Mounting the HM-602.IMG worked exactly as described by ade_hall on my Mac.
Next Rockbox update will be Mac only for me - no need for a Windows virtual machine
Just got a 64gb card for my 603. It was a real PITA to make it work with the player and then with Rock box. If any one is trying this and having problems let me know and I can try to help. Now I have an 80gb (75 actually) FLAC player but can only use 60gb with RockBox. Regardless I still love the sound of this thing with my Magnums.
Hello, i recently purchased the HM-601 slim. Just wanted to makie sure I am reading things correctly. Rockbox is not running on the slim, if so I will delete the files I downloaded. That's a bummer, was hoping to use Rockbox. FWIW, I don't find the stock UI as terrible as it is made out to be. It actually resembles the very first PMP I owned, a Creative Zen Jukebox. This was before the Ipod was around. Well I guess I will check periodically to see if Rockbox ever becomes operable on the slim.
Hello, i recently purchased the HM-601 slim. Just wanted to makie sure I am reading things correctly. Rockbox is not running on the slim, if so I will delete the files I downloaded. That's a bummer, was hoping to use Rockbox. FWIW, I don't find the stock UI as terrible as it is made out to be. It actually resembles the very first PMP I owned, a Creative Zen Jukebox. This was before the Ipod was around. Well I guess I will check periodically to see if Rockbox ever becomes operable on the slim.
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