Been using the X for a long time, until I misplaced it in some bar (along with the phones). I was pissed at myself at first, then felt relief after a while as I started to dig through all the info about other options out there (and I love info... I love options... I love me some new toys!). But then at some point I just stopped. After approx. 13 seconds my route was set to the SonyStore. I just bought another X1060 without any hesitation whatsoever. Too bad I had to wait for another pair of IE8 for a couple of days, but now I'm enjoying my music through X + IE8 again as I write this. iPods (various nanos, classics, touch), Clip+, S9, other Walkmans (S639 and A828) just don't cut it anymore (believe me, I tried). Same goes for phones. It's all about synergy, about chemistry. Between different equipment, and between equipment and your mind. I heard so many people trash IE8 and even the X and still I just felt so good that after so many trials and errors I was able to find what really gets me enjoying what I hear. Doesn't really matter if one player is sonically more authentic than the other. As long as you can't remember a single face while you're walking somewhere with your music, can't think of any annoying noises, the weather, etc. - then just stop looking and appreciate the feeling. Why write all that crap? Because to me, this player is just amazing (and I get to bump the thread which went way down for some reason). Thanks to Sony by the way. If you're still out there looking for a new player, try this one too. And I'm off for a bike ride with my portable, just because I can, and I'm gonna ride reeeeal slow. Signing off.