512 mb flash player, which one?

[zaguar]

The Iaudio U2, iaudio g3, iriver fp-8xx, 7xx. And just for fun, the ipod shuffle

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I need a screen, nice battery life, UMS, ability to play APS Lame Mp3 files, and reliability. Which one would be best?

 

[penenpitsu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaguar The Iaudio U2, iaudio g3, iriver fp-8xx, 7xx. And just for fun, the ipod shuffle . I need a screen, nice battery life, UMS, ability to play APS Lame Mp3 files, and reliability. Which one would be best?

If you need a screen, the shuffle is out ^^;;

Nice battery life would go to U2, which is rated at 50 hours with an AA. But i'm pretty sure that if you invest in a set of rechargeables and a charger, you'll be fine with any player.

UMS...im not too familiar with the iRiver or iAudio brands, but from what i've heard iAudio is really good. I own the Creative MuVo TX 512MB, and that isn't bad either.

Im not sure what an APS MP3 file is, but im willing to guess that its something like LAME. But an MP3 file is an MP3 file, so I'll bet all the players forementioned will work.

And reliability...I don't own any of the players above so I can't really say...but i've been throwing around my TX pretty badly and it held up for the most part, with the exception of the headphone jack, which I suspect has broken solder joints that would result in my cans going ballistic when pushed a certain way. Try to find a right angle adapter if you can to minimize the strain on the jack. ^_^

 

[zaguar]

APS = --alt preset standard files. around 192kbs vbr. I added that in, cause i heard about ogg vbr and the iriver players.

 

[gshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zaguar The Iaudio U2, iaudio g3, iriver fp-8xx, 7xx. And just for fun, the ipod shuffle . I need a screen, nice battery life, UMS, ability to play APS Lame Mp3 files, and reliability. Which one would be best?

IFP-7xx = large screen, lots of battery life, UMS (as of January update on iriver global site), plays VBR mp3 and OGG, very tough with the included clear case on

 

[Ojjorz]

I tested a G3 next to a iFP 799 and I can say without hesitation that the Iaudio G3 is a much better player than the Iriver. The build-quality is much better, at least it doesn't crack when you squeeze it a little like all Iriver players

Second is the battery-life that doesn't drop as dramatically as the Iriver's with normal use. Second is the ease of use, the menu-structure of both players is more sophisticated than with other brands but many features are packed within. The structure of the Iaudio-menu is slightly easier than the Iriver's.

Main point is sound-quality, a significant difference! The sound from the Iaudio is sounds less thin and harsh and is more clear in the whole spectrum. I tested both players with Shure E3C's and with stock earbuds and in both tests the Iaudio came out best.

My recommendation would be: get an Iaudio

 

[apnk]

Quote:

Originally Posted by penenpitsu Nice battery life would go to U2, which is rated at 50 hours with an AA.

i thought the U2 had an internal rechargable battery.

 

[gshan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ojjorz I tested a G3 next to a iFP 799 and I can say without hesitation that the Iaudio G3 is a much better player than the Iriver. The build-quality is much better, at least it doesn't crack when you squeeze it a little like all Iriver players Second is the battery-life that doesn't drop as dramatically as the Iriver's with normal use. Second is the ease of use, the menu-structure of both players is more sophisticated than with other brands but many features are packed within. The structure of the Iaudio-menu is slightly easier than the Iriver's. Main point is sound-quality, a significant difference! The sound from the Iaudio is sounds less thin and harsh and is more clear in the whole spectrum. I tested both players with Shure E3C's and with stock earbuds and in both tests the Iaudio came out best. My recommendation would be: get an Iaudio

Interesting results! Would you happen to have a photo of both players for a size comparison? Description in words would be fine too. Thanks

-g

 

[solo]

http://buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=JAU2512BU

buydig.com has the 512MB iAudio U2 for $126+shipping...a very competitive price for one of the best flash players. The U2 uses a rechargeable internal battery, not a removeable AA.

 

[AndrewB]

Why not go with a player that uses compact flash cards?? This way yuo aren't limited to a finite amout of memory.

My favorite is NEX , they can be had for less than $70 usd on Ebay.

ymmv,
Andrew

 

[Ojjorz]

Quote:

Interesting results! Would you happen to have a photo of both players for a size comparison? Description in words would be fine too. Thanks

The Iriver still has this triangular shape that makes it look more fat than it actually is. Size of both players is acceptable in flashplayer terms, but they are both bigger than a lighter. The iaudio G3 is more rectangular which makes it look bigger on photos, but gives it a nice feel in real life. Don't have any photos atm

Quote:

Why not go with a player that uses compact flash cards?? This way yuo aren't limited to a finite amout of memory. My favorite is NEX , they can be had for less than $70 usd on Ebay.

The Nex, both the old black and the new white one are actually the worst sounding DAP's I've ever heard. No way they can be compared to brands like Iaudio and Iriver! Good concept, but these players are just out-dated.

 

[senn600help]

you included the shuffle just for fun, so i say, buy the shuffle, just for fun. it IS fun. i have it and havent missed the screen at all. and the sound is excellent.

 

[Jubei]

I have the iRiver ifp-795 : no regrets, good battery life, very nice, sounds good, easy to use, and random impression is that it drives the PX100 better than the H320. Only thing is size - it is not the smallest player out there.

I did consider the iAudio U2, but over here, it's more expensive - and the 512MB version was out of stock. It is smaller though. Regarding the G3 - you might want to check out the iAudio forums - when I read it several months ago, there were complaints about the interface not being stable.

 

[Ojjorz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jubei Regarding the G3 - you might want to check out the iAudio forums - when I read it several months ago, there were complaints about the interface not being stable.

True and fixed, check www.iaudiophile.net/forums

 

[Blubb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ojjorz Second is the battery-life that doesn't drop as dramatically as the Iriver's with normal use.

At Toms Hardware they say with normal use you have at about 26 hrs of the iRiver. Since the say the G3 has 50 hrs, I would say it has 25% more, which results in ±35 hrs. Very nice, but I think iRiver's battery doesn´t drop so much more dramatically than the G3. I'd be very interested in the reason why the G3 would save more power. Does iAudio walk one year in front of iRiver talking about technique?

Though I agree the G3 is better than the 799, but, at least at my place, you have to pay 30-40€ more...

Btw, I think I'm going to order a 799, because the advantages of the G3 to the 799 aren't worth the €35 more to me (USM (UMS, whatever) problem can be solved in some kinda way). Though 9 hrs is a lot more...

 

[Ojjorz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blubb At Toms Hardware they say with normal use you have at about 26 hrs of the iRiver. Since the say the G3 has 50 hrs, I would say it has 25% more, which results in ±35 hrs. Very nice, but I think iRiver's battery doesn´t drop so much more dramatically than the G3. I'd be very interested in the reason why the G3 would save more power. Does iAudio walk one year in front of iRiver talking about technique? Though I agree the G3 is better than the 799, but, at least at my place, you have to pay 30-40€ more... Btw, I think I'm going to order a 799, because the advantages of the G3 to the 799 aren't worth the €35 more to me (USM (UMS, whatever) problem can be solved in some kinda way). Though 9 hrs is a lot more...

You are free in your choice, I'm just posting my opinion and findings to inform the topic-starter.

About the battery-life, in my experience Iaudio has a more honoust view on battery-life and doesn't test it with all functions off and low bitrate songs. That is why battery-life doesn't drop that hard using songs of a higher quality while browsing through your files etc. (normal use) I don't know if the G3 is more efficient with its power, I just think that the 50hrs claimed by Iaudio are less exaggerated.