Sansa e280R questions

[replytoken]

Almost a year away from this place, and while I am glad to see many old-timers still around, I also see many new names on the boards. After having made peace with most of my equipment this last year, I unfortunately could use a few thoughts as I try again to find a DAP for trying out new music (read subscription music).

My 1st Gen Clix 2GB is a nice sounding unit, but I have recently been interested in the partnership between SanDisk, Rhapsody and Best Buy. While none of these companies makes my "A" list for ideal customer service, it seems that they currently offer the easiest arrangement for trying out lots of music (read Rhapsody Channels).

So, I picked up a unit @ BB and have been playing around with it for a few days. I do not believe that SanDisk wil ever win any audio quality awards for their players, but the pre-loaded music is not offensive for casual listening (note I did not say critical listening). The FM tuner, however, must have been disigned by somebody who has never listened to a radio in their life. I have never heard such horrible distortion. In comparison, the tuner in my Clix has substantially better SQ. Has anybody else experienced such terrible FM reception with an e200R series player?

I tried the player out at home and work, with my HD-600's, my Ety ER-4's and through my home rig, all bringing equally lousy results. Summing it up, it seems as if my choices include exchanging the player for a another one, waiting for iRiver's 8GB Clix Rhapsody, or I can write the FM section off. Comments from others who have listened to the FM tuner on e200R players would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

--Ken

 

[RickB]

The Sansa e280 (not R) I own also has a pretty terrible FM tuner-- so I don't think it's a question of you having a defective unit.

Rick

 

[replytoken]

That's kind of what I figured, but I wanted to know if I was making a bad assumption. Its a shame; the unit's sound is marginal to average (without the FM problems), but there are few DAP's that offer the convenience of trying out lots of new music with minimal hassle. Since the price dropped to $149 this week, I might be convinced that I am getting what I pay for, and I'll pass the time until something better comes along.

I do not have very high expectations for most DAP's, but those that I have used and heard tended to sound OK. I thought the Sansa would fall nicely into that pack, but it seems to be heading up the rear.