NWAudiophile
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2002
- Posts
- 14
- Likes
- 0
While I have a new Sony D-CJ01 for portable audio use, it's still relatively big compared to the Intel 3000 memory based MP3 player. Intel is currently blowing these out (oddly enough on e-bay!) for $90 while they originally sold for $150 - $200.
MP3 encoders have come a long way, and even at 128kb, you can have very close to true CD quality with this player. Out of the box it will hold about an hour of music at that rate. By adding a 64mb card, it will hold two hours. That's plenty to get most folks through a workout, jog, train ride, etc. If you can live with "near CD" quality, then you can get 50% more music at 96kb. I personally don't much care for the sound of 64kb files but that rate would double the above times.
Unlike most $150 and under players, the Intel comes with 64mb of internal memory, not the more common 32mb. You'll have to spend about $50 (at today's prices) for a 64mb Multimedia (MMC) card to bring the memory up to 128mb. SmartMedia and CompactFlash cards are cheaper but MMC cards will keep dropping in price. They're still very new and will be compatible with more things in the future (i.e. many new digital cameras are going to MMC/SD cards).
Just pick up this player and you know it's something special. Just like the Apple iPod feels slick, substantial and "jewel like" in your hand, so does this Intel. It's very solid, the back is made out of a rubberized material and the face is perfectly smooth with no rough edges or seams anywhere. It's VERY solid and well engineered. The rubber covered buttons are around the perimeter and require a firm push to prevent accidental button pressing.
The player is tiny... about 2.5" x 3". You can almost hide it in the palm of your hand and it will fit into the smallest of pockets. It runs for 10 hours on a single AA battery.
The display is small, and it doesn't display MP3 tag info or have a backlight, but everything else is there including track, time, battery status, volume, bass, treble, mode, etc. MP3 tag info isn't as useful on a memory based player where you can, at most, load a few dozen tracks.
Besides the great packaging, the sound of this player is way above average. Unlike many portable MP3 players, there's no unpleasant whines, hissing, pops, etc. to detract from the music. It has more power than many players as well. It's about the same as my Sony D-CJ01 CD player in that regard. Unlike the Sony, it has TWELVE levels of bass boost and also twelve levels of treble boost. Both work quite well if you need to and some punch or sizzle to compensate for weak headphones or poorly recorded music.
The sound actually seems a bit more dynamic than the Sony. I played the original CD in the Sony, and the ripped MP3 version in the Intel and switched back and forth using Sony MDR-V6 headphones. Both were set for "flat" response. To my surprise, I slightly preferred the sound of the Intel!
Like the Sony, it also handles all MP3 and WMA formats. It even gets the time right on VBR (variable bit rate) tracks (something that confuses many players including Microsoft's own Windows Media Player). It's bundled with the Intel Audio Manager and a full version of MusicMatch Jukebox. The latter is a well regarded music manager that does most everything. You can also transfer files to it directly from Windows Media Player. The USB interface works as expected.
All-in-all, it's a bargain for $90. The Sonic Blue Rio One (the new version of the 300) is probably the closest competition and it's inferior in just about every way. I have no idea why Intel has stopped production as this is one of the best players in its price range. Whatever the reason, if you want a nice tiny cheap portable player, get one while you can!
MP3 encoders have come a long way, and even at 128kb, you can have very close to true CD quality with this player. Out of the box it will hold about an hour of music at that rate. By adding a 64mb card, it will hold two hours. That's plenty to get most folks through a workout, jog, train ride, etc. If you can live with "near CD" quality, then you can get 50% more music at 96kb. I personally don't much care for the sound of 64kb files but that rate would double the above times.
Unlike most $150 and under players, the Intel comes with 64mb of internal memory, not the more common 32mb. You'll have to spend about $50 (at today's prices) for a 64mb Multimedia (MMC) card to bring the memory up to 128mb. SmartMedia and CompactFlash cards are cheaper but MMC cards will keep dropping in price. They're still very new and will be compatible with more things in the future (i.e. many new digital cameras are going to MMC/SD cards).
Just pick up this player and you know it's something special. Just like the Apple iPod feels slick, substantial and "jewel like" in your hand, so does this Intel. It's very solid, the back is made out of a rubberized material and the face is perfectly smooth with no rough edges or seams anywhere. It's VERY solid and well engineered. The rubber covered buttons are around the perimeter and require a firm push to prevent accidental button pressing.
The player is tiny... about 2.5" x 3". You can almost hide it in the palm of your hand and it will fit into the smallest of pockets. It runs for 10 hours on a single AA battery.
The display is small, and it doesn't display MP3 tag info or have a backlight, but everything else is there including track, time, battery status, volume, bass, treble, mode, etc. MP3 tag info isn't as useful on a memory based player where you can, at most, load a few dozen tracks.
Besides the great packaging, the sound of this player is way above average. Unlike many portable MP3 players, there's no unpleasant whines, hissing, pops, etc. to detract from the music. It has more power than many players as well. It's about the same as my Sony D-CJ01 CD player in that regard. Unlike the Sony, it has TWELVE levels of bass boost and also twelve levels of treble boost. Both work quite well if you need to and some punch or sizzle to compensate for weak headphones or poorly recorded music.
The sound actually seems a bit more dynamic than the Sony. I played the original CD in the Sony, and the ripped MP3 version in the Intel and switched back and forth using Sony MDR-V6 headphones. Both were set for "flat" response. To my surprise, I slightly preferred the sound of the Intel!
Like the Sony, it also handles all MP3 and WMA formats. It even gets the time right on VBR (variable bit rate) tracks (something that confuses many players including Microsoft's own Windows Media Player). It's bundled with the Intel Audio Manager and a full version of MusicMatch Jukebox. The latter is a well regarded music manager that does most everything. You can also transfer files to it directly from Windows Media Player. The USB interface works as expected.
All-in-all, it's a bargain for $90. The Sonic Blue Rio One (the new version of the 300) is probably the closest competition and it's inferior in just about every way. I have no idea why Intel has stopped production as this is one of the best players in its price range. Whatever the reason, if you want a nice tiny cheap portable player, get one while you can!
