[Joe Bloggs]

$88!

In comparison both the Sony D-EJ725 and Pana CT780 go for ~$110

Damn the eXpanium is real tempting... now if only it has an optical line out... *and* a remote... *and* great antiskip...

(wait maybe it does

)

Can anybody tell me how good the line out on the eXpanium is compared to the Sony D-EJs / Pana SL-CTs?

And what about the antiskip?

Also are there any mp3 CD players out there with a remote and a real line out for < $120?

 

[Joe Bloggs]

Guess not huh?

 

[tangent]

If you're talking about the original EXP-103, there's no remote, no digital output and I haven't tested the anti-skip. I use portables merely to let me move around rooms, not to go jogging or whatever. The most punishment I ever give a portable is to put it on the seat beside me on road trips. I can usually get away without anti-skip turned on at all.

I have no idea about the 200 series and up.

 

[Joe Bloggs]

?
Philips made some new ones then?

 

[tangent]

Sure, including one that plays 8cm mini-CDs, which store something like 180 MB. They're all better-looking than the boxy original unit.

The product numbers all end in "17", but everyone leaves them off when talking about them -- the EXP20117 is simply called the "201", for example. So far, there exist the 201, 301, 303, 401, 501, and 503 models. The mini-CD version is the 401, and the others are simply better units as the numbers go higher. The ones ending in '3' add a car kit (cassette and cigarette adapters), which is nice. The 103, being a '3' model, also has these adapters. I think all models have wall warts.

 

[Scott Seaman]

Joe:

I've got the Expanium 103.

The 103 is not prone to skippng. I walk around with anti-skip off and rarely encounter a skip. When it does skip, it is a gentle interuption, so no foul. With the anti-skip on, there is excellent protection from skips. There is a slight loss in sound quality, but that will probable go unnoticed if you are so active that you need it.

I have not heard the panasonic and sony models you mentioned so I can't make a direct comparison of the sound quality. I can say the following listening to the TA and Etys.

In comparison to the Radio Shack 3904 CDP, the 103 is a step down in clarity when playing regular CDs. There is very little loss of sound quality when playing MP3s.

Close to home, I listen to the 3904 most of the time. However, the ability to put 100+ songs on a CD makes the 103 the easy choice for traveling or when I just want to carry a lot of music with me.

I am very interested in listening to the newer Expanium models as well as the Riovolt, because the MP3 format is fantastic.

Scott

 

[panoz777]

i went to the expanium website....

according to the specs. Expanium 103 have a signal-to-noise ratio of 80dB well the top-of-the-line Expanium 503 have a signal-to-noise ratio of 82dB. is that a significant difference in sound quality?

well at the mp3.com forum... many ppl comment that the expanium has a "european" sounds while the rio volt and sony has a "mechincal" sounds?

 

[Scott Seaman]

panoz777:

Ah, if sound quality description could only be reduced to one number...

The 103 is pretty quiet. I guess 2 more db couldn't hurt.

I'm on vacation next week and plan to audition all the lastest MP3 CD players I can find. I'll post my results.

Scott

 

[AtEase]

Hey, apparently the new expaniums may even play aac files...

link

 

[panoz777]

eXpanium have a line-out for a portable amp?

 

[Scott Seaman]

panoz777:

The model 103 has a line out which I connect a TA.

I have not seen good pictures of the newer models. The specs on 501 indicates "Headphone/ line out". I'm not sure what this means. Is it one jack that is supposed to serve both functions?

Scott

 

[Scott Seaman]

AtEase:

What are aac files?

thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[AtEase]

AAC = "advanced audio coding". Its a compression technology that is a part of the mpeg2 and mpeg4 standards... Think of it as the successor (at least from a technical standpoint) to mp3.

If you search around you can find psytel's aac encoder - its the best (well the best available...) aac encoder. You used to be able to download the encoder from the psytel website, but I think Dolby (who controls the liscencing of acc technology) cracked down...