[Whitebread]

Does anyone make a portable HDD player that is at least 80 gigs in size, has an EQ and isn't an iPod?

 

[wolfen68]

Not lots of options. Microsoft Zune...and some discontinued stuff that can be modified (such as iRiver H1xx).

 

[Whitebread]

I've already got an H140 but the electronics are dieing. Ugh, If Microsoft would just enable the EQ feature on the Zen, I'd by it. I guess I'll just have to wait until flash based players capacities reach the 80 gig range.

 

[Jubei]

Nope, not much choice. And I can't get Zune over here, so pretty much limited to iPod.

 

[Whitebread]

Ugh, I just cannot justify spending so much money on devices that are so restrictive and/or limited. EQ is a necessity and the Itunes world is a place I must stay from.

 

[gilency]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitebread /img/forum/go_quote.gif EQ is a necessity and the Itunes world is a place I must stay from.

why? I know the limitations of the equalizer in iPods, but the obverall sound quality is pretty good IMHO. I use Apple Losseless format in my 160 Classic and I realy like the sound quality.

 

[RubenNYC]

You'd probably be happiest picking up another H140 on ebay and replacing the drive, if you can find one. Or, if you're handy taking apart and rebuilding electronics, you can pick up a used Rio Karma and try out the ZIF drive mod.

 

[Whitebread]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilency /img/forum/go_quote.gif why? I know the limitations of the equalizer in iPods, but the obverall sound quality is pretty good IMHO. I use Apple Losseless format in my 160 Classic and I realy like the sound quality.

The source is only 1 component in the chain of components that determine sound quality. The environment is included in this also. A good/clean source can be ruined by poor headphones, a bad seal for those of use that use IEMs (like myself) when on the go, a poor recording, or a number of other things. A half way decent EQ is a good way of compensating for these short comings. I just cannot spend the money for one of these hard drive players without a half way decent EQ, even if they sound good in a controlled environment. Besides, I'm certainly not one of those purists who feel that music must be played the way the artists, engineers and the label want you to hear it. If those people and entities had Audiophiles in mind, they would not be compressing the dynamics and pushing up the signals until clipping (and nearly EVERY modern recording is clipped). I tailor the sound until I like it (which starts and ends with EQ).

Also, I'm just not a fan of the Itunes environment. Last I heard, it doesn't handle large databases well (I've got 16000 songs to handle), and the product associated with it is low on features for the price you pay for it. Not to mention, I'd rather support a company that doesn't use DRM when handling digital music files (although this point applies to Microsoft's products too).

 

[Whitebread]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubenNYC /img/forum/go_quote.gif You'd probably be happiest picking up another H140 on ebay and replacing the drive, if you can find one. Or, if you're handy taking apart and rebuilding electronics, you can pick up a used Rio Karma and try out the ZIF drive mod.

I'd rather just wait until Microsoft regains its sanity or until flash based memory matures until the point where it is as dense as its hard drive brethren.

 

[RubenNYC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitebread /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd rather just wait until Microsoft regains its sanity or until flash based memory matures until the point where it is as dense as its hard drive brethren.

I don't think the Zune ever had a custom EQ, though, only a bunch of canned presets. (I hate canned presets.)

Now that we are seeing 32 GB flash players, hopefully we'll start seeing 64 GB options sometime in '09.

 

[tds101]

The Zune 30 has presets - all the others have none at all. Sound is better w/none though. I got a Touch just so I can make a decision on my own: crappy EQ on or off. Sounds better with it off, but I like the option to choose for myself. If the Zune had a custom EQ it'd be perfect IMO. Still, I'm already vested in my Touch 2G so I really can't complain. Well, I'd have liked a 64gb model, but no dice.

 

[Whitebread]

RubenNYC, that's what I'm counting on.

 

[Myrdin]

The Cowon A3 and Q5 both come in 80gig versions. They also have a very nice user adjustable EQ. The O2 flash memory player has 32 gigs built in and an SD memory card slot, so you can add quite a bit more storage. Given their ability to drive higher impedance headphones and compatibility with so many formats, it is surprising so many audiophiles don't know about cowon. edit- here's an address:www.cowonglobal.com

 

[TheRockies]

Hmmm... How about setting your sights on a 5.5 generation 80GB iPod and then adding Rockbox which breathes new life into it? I did this because after using Creative's Zen Vision M and Iriver's, I found the iPods just plain boring. But with the Rockbox option, you get awesome equalizer options plus other neat stuff like different themes, file drag-n-drop, ogg vorbis/wma/FLAC support, MSC/UMS and much more! You even get the A-B option for playback! You can dual boot back to the original software anytime you want. Lots of things to tweak and play with AND IT'S FREE!!! Go have a look at their iPod Video sections and see if you're interested: Rockbox - Open Source Jukebox Firmware

Best of luck!

 

[Whitebread]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myrdin /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Cowon A3 and Q5 both come in 80gig versions. They also have a very nice user adjustable EQ. The O2 flash memory player has 32 gigs built in and an SD memory card slot, so you can add quite a bit more storage. Given their ability to drive higher impedance headphones and compatibility with so many formats, it is surprising so many audiophiles don't know about cowon. edit- here's an address:[ Welcome to cowonglobal.com ]

The reason I glanced over them is because they've got large screens designed for viewing video, something I'll likely never do on a PMP. I'll give them a second look though.