Good beginner portable unit?

[Darth Minidisc]

Hi, I've been lurking here for about a month, I'm intending to get some portable audio equipment. I've already settled on the etymotics ER-6 (or possibly a higher end model) but I'm really unsure on what portable player to get. I've done many searchs but I was hoping for some tips from you folks

Here are my needs:

1. Portability, means I'm most likely not going to carry an amp. I may use it while working out/jogging. I will be using it on airplanes, buses, car rides, subway etc.

2. Recording, doesn't have to be fantastic but good enough for voice diction or recording lectures. line or mic in would great.

3. Large capacity, I guess this is a given huh?

4. Reasonably good sound quality, again, doesn't have to be fantastic but I'm tired of listening to my 14 year car speakers.

My current headphones are Sennheiser 575s (seems like I'm the only person to have these here). I've considered HD based players, primarily the archos MM jukebox 140 but it's rather thick. In fact, all HD based players with recording abilities seem large. I haven't thought of flash players because of storage and sound quality. I don't know much about MD, but it seems like overkill for some of my needs.

I'll be honest, I'm not an audiophile, I like HD based players since they double as HD and I don't think i'm skilled enough yet to pick out differences in sound quality that many of you could

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Duncan]

I'll give your thread a little bump...

If you're not an 'audiophile' wouldn't an MD recorder with MDLP (4x) be a better option? a whole lot less breakable than an HD unit?

 

[Darth Minidisc]

Yay! somebody responded

and yes I'm seriously considering a sony n707 off ebay. I tend to abuse my stuff so the ruggedness of an MD player should be good.

 

[Watchdog]

OK, I'll give you another response. I think you could go with a couple of options.

1) If you only want to buy ONE unit. Then buy an MD, I own the 707 and it will suit your needs nicely. It will allow you to record lectures and voice just fine. I've jogged over 150 miles with my unit now without any skips, ever! MD's are nice and small, very portable and the sound quality is good. If you only want to buy one player, MD is the only solution that will satisfy all 4 of your criteria.

2) If you're willing to buy TWO or more units (if you hang around here long enough, trust me you'll buy multiple units). Then a HDD player will give you a very large capacity. The 707 could still record for you. Some HDD players now give you voice recording, such as the NJB3, but I would consider that more "transportable" than portable. Perhaps a NJB3 plus a lower end MD such as the 510 or 410 would suit your needs (personally I'd get the 510).

If you want to jog with a unit, forget PCDP's they'll skip unless you hold them in your hand.

I own a Creative Nomad II flash player and after having owned one, I'd never advise anyone to buy a flash player.

 

[TimSchirmer]

Hard Drive: iPod

MD: Sharp 821

 

[Darth Minidisc]

Okay, well, I should be getting my ER-6s tomorrow.

I've decided to get two units, one MD for recording and one HD unit for listening. This probably sounds a little manic....

but here's my reasoning.

I want recording function, the MD format is the best (only) option for this.

I'm not ready to deal with the inability to load/upload faster than real time. From looking at NetMD I don't think it really answers this question, at least from an ease of use standpoint.


Sooooo, I'm going to get an MD to tide me over until the HD mp3 players mature a bit, which leads to my next set of questions....

what is the cheapest MD recorder with mic in? Sony N707?

For HDD players, if iriver would hurry up and release there 100 line i'd be a lot happier, I'm also looking at the archos AV140 for a little more versatility.

Thanks all for your advice

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by Firelance what is the cheapest MD recorder with mic in? Sony N707?

Either that, or try looking out for one of the old school MD units that are built like bricks, and should, on the most part... be pretty cheap

 

[buster]

Quote:

Originally posted by Duncan Either that, or try looking out for one of the old school MD units that are built like bricks, and should, on the most part... be pretty cheap

Indeed! Some of the older Sony MD units even offer a dedicated line out, which is, in my opinion, the easiest way to get on the road to great sound if you have the resources to get a portable amp, too. And people aren't kidding when they say "built like bricks"; I could hammer nails in with my old Sony MD recorder!

 

[deejayshakur]

question:

MD LP4 = MP3 @ ??? kbits?

 

[Duncan]

Quote:

Originally posted by deejayshakur question: MD LP4 = MP3 @ ??? kbits?

64... but it sounds a little bit better than that... its just different encoding techniques...

From what I remember:

SP=320k MP3
LP2=192k MP3
LP4=112k MP3

Don't quote me on that though

 

[deejayshakur]

oof... just starting to get used to 192k heh... sigh.

 

[Darth Minidisc]

On second thought, does anyone know anything about the Sharp MD-MT190W?

 

[Darth Minidisc]

aarrghhh, well, now i'm even more confused. How about a sony R50? From my searches here, tt seems to have excellent recording functions and a dedicated line out for an amp. It's also a lot cheaper and seems really durable. But it also looks very bulky....argh!

 

[Fish Tank X]

R-50=No NetMD.

 

[Darth Minidisc]

I don't think netmd seems that great actually, so it's not big deal if it's not present.