I'm deliberating between a Creative Zen and SanDisk Fuze. I like to keep my music on removable card (SDHC or MicroSDHC) so a low-capacity player is fine. Less interested in bells and whistles but I do value, in order of priority importance:
1) Sound Quality (DUH!)
2) Drag and Drop With Vista, no proprietary transfer software.
3) Works well with a portable amp. (I have a C&C Box + currently) with some DAP volume setting "simulating" true line out if none available.
4) Simple UI, to play off internal or card memory, display ID3 / song info. and album art but I don't really care about true video capability.
5) Charge from wall AC...as I store music on cards rarely need to plug it into PC so USB only charging option not optimal.
6) Price < $100 as I'd rather pay for removable storeage. if another similar player is truly superior, I'd try to scrape up more cash.
I know some favor the venerable Cowon D2 but I've heard that while terrifically powerful, it's sound isn't very refined / detailed which is what I prefer.
Suggestions / Ideas / Opinions?
1) Sound Quality (DUH!)
2) Drag and Drop With Vista, no proprietary transfer software.
3) Works well with a portable amp. (I have a C&C Box + currently) with some DAP volume setting "simulating" true line out if none available.
4) Simple UI, to play off internal or card memory, display ID3 / song info. and album art but I don't really care about true video capability.
5) Charge from wall AC...as I store music on cards rarely need to plug it into PC so USB only charging option not optimal.
6) Price < $100 as I'd rather pay for removable storeage. if another similar player is truly superior, I'd try to scrape up more cash.
I know some favor the venerable Cowon D2 but I've heard that while terrifically powerful, it's sound isn't very refined / detailed which is what I prefer.
Suggestions / Ideas / Opinions?