Rio Carbon Impressions (mini epic)

[gsferrari]

Just got my Rio Carbon

Wow - very nice build quality. Its larger than the Rio Nitrus

I thought it would be built on the same platform but this baby is at least 30% larger and has a nicer feel to it.

I dont get any hiss from the headphone jack but I used a thin coat of rubber paint applied VERY carefully on the jack.

Nice sound

Very - karmaesque

If anyone is wondering why I got the Rio Carbon when I already have a Rio Karma - I got it for my "active" activities like running, biking etc. The karma will have its uses as well - I just wanted something more solid, compact without protruding controls ala the karma.

Vielen Danken : to the reviewer

(please forgive my deutsch

)

 

[Sledge]

Solid state? The Carbon isn't a flash player. It has a 5GB microdrive in it.

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sledge Solid state? The Carbon isn't a flash player. It has a 5GB microdrive in it.

Been reading too many technical books, I have (said in the best Yoda voice)

I wanted something smaller, compact, tougher and more portable than the Karma

I already have the Rio Nitrus but the capacity is insufficient and the Carbon was my best "alternative"

 

[Acliff]

I've got one of these on order, should be arriving in the next couple of days.
Really looking forward to it. 5gb is enough for the music I listen to on a regular basis with space to spare as a portable harddrive. And it looks so damn good

Have you seen the vaja cases they're doing for these? Costly, but so sexy.

http://www.vajacases.com

*drool*

 

[Oddball]

Bump for the pictures.

strohmie: I hope you like your Carbon, they're really nice DAPs.

gsferrari: It's nice to know that the Head-fi Carbon population just increased. The Carbon is definitely a strong contender for the Micro Drive division of DAPs.

Acliff: The Vaja cases are so nice, but I wish that they had a two-color option for the Carbon cases like they did for the iPod. I say that I'm holding strong against getting one right now, but watch me succumb and buy one in a few months.

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acliff Have you seen the vaja cases they're doing for these? Costly, but so sexy. *drool*

Thanks a lot

Now I have to spend more money on unnecessary bling just because it looks so kewl

Gah!

 

[aeriyn]

Oi, congrats on your purchase and glad you're happy with the Carbon.

It was almost the microdrive player that I purchased, but after hearing about the headphone static problem and the fact that the unit had many firmware issues, I decided that I can deal with the comments I would get, and just got an iPod Mini.

Now that I have one, though, I do think it looks a lot cuter than the Carbon. Definitely more girl-friendly, especially in pink. ^.~

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsferrari Nice sound Very - karmaesque

Is the Carbon really so bassy? -.-' Never listened to one before...

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeriyn Now that I have one, though, I do think it looks a lot cuter than the Carbon. Definitely more girl-friendly, especially in pink. ^.~

Thank god I didnt go for one...dunno what the mates would say if I put my hand into my pocket looking like Luke Skywalker about to whip out a Light Sabre and instead - pull out a pink dongle that looks like a candybar

Quote:

Is the Carbon really so bassy? -.-' Never listened to one before...

Its not bassy. Neither is the Karma. It is quite well balanced and the EQ is easy to work with.

 

[aeriyn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsferrari Thank god I didnt go for one...dunno what the mates would say if I put my hand into my pocket looking like Luke Skywalker about to whip out a Light Sabre and instead - pull out a pink dongle that looks like a candybar

*chokesonsodalaughing*

 

[erikammm]

I got mine yesterday and I love it!

Instead of rubber paint, you can also use nail polish (truth is that I have no idea what rubber paint is... english is not my first language...).

I also miss the hold button, but it can be easily solved, by locking it, like you do to a cell phone (press menu + center button).

I might do the same thing you did with the case... Plus, I will drill a hole in the case because I like to hang it on a key hanger. Makes it better for carrying around.

And may I add that I LOVED the songs that came with it!

 

[Sparky191]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aeriyn ...the unit had many firmware issues, ..

What are the firmware issues?

 

[Underdog311]

I had a carbon for a month and loved it. but I took it back only cuz i wanted a player with more capacity. I am planning on buying another carbon soon.

 

[Oddball]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky191 What are the firmware issues?

I can't speak for what Aeriyn meant originally, but I haven't had much issue with buggy firmware. I have reset the player once, but it's been mostly fine for me. The firmware's been updated since this thread though, and although I haven't updated to the very latest release, I can only assume that it's improving.

 

[Sparky191]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Underdog311 I had a carbon for a month and loved it. but I took it back only cuz i wanted a player with more capacity. I am planning on buying another carbon soon.

Why are you getting another one?