Sharp vs. Sony?

[daphox]

Been lurking the forum for awhile & have gotten the impression that many around are pretty "audio consious" people. Now to my q:

When seeing the topics, most posts are 'bout the ipod or some Sony device. Nothing strange about this....but since so many seem so informed about dif. devices/AUDIO QUALITY(?), nobody mentions Sharp!?

Everyone discusses the new Sony HD3, but what about this one?: http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=927

It's no secret that Sharp's MDs sq whips Sony's sound big time!! with the auvi-amp, & even did it before with the "regular" MD's. How come no one even mentions/considers the Sharp HD? I've already seen comments about the Sony sounding "tinny". Due to Sharp's trackrecord this wouldn't be the case with their HD.

I mean come on, although I'm a fan of the ipod I personally would drop it in a second if only the Sharp had Macsupport...

Why are so many checking only Sony? *sigh*

 

[tsplash75]

my decision to go with the sony nw-hd1 was based on availability, size, weight, functionality, and style in no particular order.

the only drawback on purchasing the nw-hd1 was atrac and the soundstage software. both of which i have no problem tolerating.

atrac3plus is NOT the best compression, but being half the size of a 128kbps mp3 and sounding practically the same (IMHO) allows me to have twice the amount of music (12,000 4min songs), as well as up to 30hrs of playback time on a single charge.

i did not directly compare the sharp product to the nw-hd1, but rather the iPod and well.. we all know what most* of us think about that thing. hehe..

i also hate blue illumination... it's such a millenium fad that i wish died the same time as those mouth glowsticks did.

 

[daphox]

Fair enough. No player beats the sony in style, that's for sure. (Noticed you left out sound quality in you criterias, I understand your choice much better).

 

[tsplash75]

hahaha...

the iPod is no better than the hd1 in SQ.. *puts on flame-retardant suit*

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Haha, the Sony HD players can't play back lossless or uncompressed files. (In fact, Sony is the only brand of HD-based DAPs which cannot play back even .WAV files, which other brands can play back.) Their audio playback support is currently limited to extremely lossy compressed files - MP3 and ATRAC-something.

On the other hand, the Sharp vs. Sony debate refers to MD units. In the MD units, the Sharp does beat the Sony in playback sound quality. The Sony holds a slight edge in recording quality.

 

[Lex101]

If sharp dont do a hd-based dap then whats this? - http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=927

 

[daphox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle_Driver On the other hand, the Sharp vs. Sony debate refers to MD units. (Sharp does not currently offer an HD-based DAP, nor do they have any plans at all whatsoever to introduce one of their own.)

?

Did you read the top post?

 

[daphox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsplash75 hahaha... the iPod is no better than the hd1 in SQ.. *puts on flame-retardant suit*

?

I wasn't being sarcastic or anything. Why the response? I really understand your choice, based on style & aesthetics. Nothing wrong with that. Why so defensive?

 

[EyeAmEye]

The Sharp website lists that HD player as having a lineout. I hope they aren't referring to the headphone as a lineout. This player looks interesting.

 

[fr4c]

so whos gonna take the plunge and get this Sharp HD player?

 

[rauer]

The Sharp is pretty cheap at the German Amazon: 229 euros. Unfortunately they only seem to ship to Germany and Austria.

 

[daphox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fr4c so whos gonna take the plunge and get this Sharp HD player?

I would in a blink of an eye if:

1. it had macsupport.
2. it had AAC support.

I have no doubt however that it sounds better than my ipod. I'm 93% sure...

 

[fr4c]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daphox I would in a blink of an eye if: 1. it had macsupport. 2. it had AAC support. I have no doubt however that it sounds better than my ipod. I'm 93% sure...

umm good point daphox, i forgot i was a apple user and have all my files encoded in AAC....

 

[D-EJ915]

Quote:

Originally Posted by EyeAmEye The Sharp website lists that HD player as having a lineout. I hope they aren't referring to the headphone as a lineout. This player looks interesting.

I do remember reading it has an auto-sensing line-out on mine, but some suggest "turning up volume all the way with no EQ"...yeah...

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lex101 If sharp dont do a hd-based dap then whats this? - http://www.sharp.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=927

Quote:

Originally Posted by daphox ? Did you read the top post?

Sorry that I missed it.

However, Sharp does not currently distribute their "better" portable digital players in North America. Nor do they have any plans at all whatsoever to reintroduce those products for the North American market.