Ravage, while I can see where Davei is comming from, I for the most part have very good reasons to also consider a HD player . I own an Imp-350 (Irivers mp3-cd player) and I really, really love it. To me, the sound quality is excellent for a portable and for the price that one can get it for. I've seen it for as low as $90 at some etailers. I've even compared it to the newer IMP series such as the 400 and 550 and have no doubts that the 350 is the best in the lot.
However, I'm always finding myself in situations where having a HD player would be so much more convienient..let me list the ways. The portability factor is a pretty big one. Now, I don't really mind having my cd player strapped to my waist, in fact, it's the best way (that I've found) for me to do it because I just clip the remote control to my belt buckle and have full control of everything BUT...The problem with this is that :
A) Unless your shirt/jacket is covering the neoprene case strapped to you, you look like a tremendous dork..Huge dork factor. Which isn't really as big a deal as...
B) Having to shift and maneuver the thing in order to maintain a decent comfort level while a series of wires is running here and fro, causing an ever so slight hassle...enough to really get to you if you're in a particular place where you really don't want to be fumbling with such nonsense. This happens to me quite often, and is very annoying..whereas if I had a HD player, it would be a non-issue.
C) General comfort and ease of use when changing volumes (discs). When I say general comfort, I don't actually mean the wearing process, because that's not really a problem. The problem is that unless you carry a bag and put the player in IT, you'll probably, like me, want to have it attached to your body via something like this :
That's what I use, and have been pretty happy with it, but in alot of instances, it's a pain in the arse. Unless of course, you plan on keeping it in a seperate hand bag/atache whatever.(the player its self that is) Now, as for changing discs etc...this is the big gripe I have in comparison with using a HD player.
I too have alot of discs of backed up Mp3's, so I understand both you and Davei, however, here's the thing. It's easier, or just the same IMO, to make a bunch of playlists, or perhaps drag and drop gigs of files instead of say having to shuffle through a rack or book full of CD's. Especially since it's more than likely that your music collection on your PC/Mac is already in perfect order compared to your own order of things (unless you're a total neat freak). And who says that you can't play whole albums from a HD player ? Of course you can..that's the beauty of them ! You can sift through albums and albums, without having to even touch your unit (that didn't sound quite right did it ?) if you own a HD player that has a nice remote control...or have to go through the hassle of changing discs when you get tired of the current one you've been listening to. That's another big one for me.
Personally, I keep finding myself in situations where I would so much rather be carrying a HD player than my CD-Mp3 player. Like yesterday, while I was getting ready to leave jury duty, and I'm sitting next to this guy who pulled out his brand new (and quite beautiful) iPod from his jeans pocket...didn't have a case on it, but seeing as how it was in his jeans, I guess it didnt' matter. In the meanwhile, I"m fumbling with strapping this thing, tucking wires away and looking like a freegin poster boy for dork city.
So, if you're anything like me, you too shall tire of carrying a CD player with you. It's just a matter of time. Of course you'd be saving some bucks if you bought one, but IMO, there's always a sacrifice for such a thing. The good thing though about getting an in-expensive CD-Mp3 player is, that you'll have enough money to buy a HD player as well in just a short time afterwards should you decide you want one. Which is exactly what I'm doing.
IHP-120 all the way !! Woo Hoo ! I can't wait.
