Ultra-portable flash-based player?

[Sparky191]

It could be faulty. As for the tags, some players use tags, some filetree some a hybrid. Really it should be highlighted better.

My Shuffle died and I really liked that. I was hoping maybe to get something better when I replaced it but I'm concerned a new player wouldn't sound as good.

 

[LaBreaHead]

creyc -- sorry you've had a bad experience with your Zen Nano. People have complained about the "backlight hum" -- is that what you experienced, or is it worse? And, any chance you got a bad unit or that your particular earphones are ultra-revealing? Unfortunately, you have to deal with Fry's for returning it -- good luck with that (I've heard horrror stories).

Also, by the frustrated tone of your opinion on the Creative, your criteria are a bit more exacting than indicated in your original post. For example, I got the impression that loooks didn't matter, but then you said that the iAudio was too Asian-looking ... whatever, good luck getting a back-up player that you're happy with.

Edit: OK, you wanted something tasteful looking ... since you're already an iPod owner, there's always the Shuffle -- prices are good on those now.

 

[creyc]

yea, I get started into this thinking "i'll just pick a player and settle with it", with the full intentions of just buying SOMETHING.

Well, you start looking at the options, start doing a little comparison and in true head-fi fashion, it turns into a full-scale war over the best of the best.

I've spent way more time on this than I had intended, but I also learned a bit too, so it's OK in my mind.

My stand on appearance will have to take a back-seat to performance, I see. Beggars can't be choosers, I see I'll have to make a sacrifice here or there to end up with something the ultimately suits my tastes. Right now I'm HOPING its that iRiver thing. If not...iAudio? lol

As for Frys return policy, shouldn't be a problem at all! My store is really great on it. (the alien store) And yes, the humming noise does appear to be correlated to the backlight. Obviously I'm not using crap earbuds, or I wouldn't be on Head-Fi

I'm using UM2's, which are somewhat sensitive but sound fine out of my iPod. I'll never trade audio quality to hide a products' design flaws.

 

[creyc]

Quote:

it communicates with a host PC using Microsoft's Media Transfer Protocol, so it doesn't appear to Windows XP as a USB mass-storage device. Unsurprisingly, Mac OS X couldn't see it at all.

Okay then. I see some other-worldly force is trying to get me to go with the iAudio.

Anyone been successful pairing a Mac with the iRiver T30?

 

[vranswer]

Well, if you do (go with iAudio) I hope you like BASS. When paired with my E4s, the U2 does 'em just right - no other player has delivered the lower frequencies like it. But when I plug in my E5s (probably much like your UM2s), the bass is pretty much overwhelming. I have to go into the custom EQ and drop the bottom two bars waaay down or it'll rock my brains out.

FYI

 

[creyc]

i give up

 

[classicalguy]

People complaining about noise and hum should tell us what headphones they are using. This can be a problem with low impedence headphones. Also, if you're judging sound quality on the basis of the free crap phones that come with the player, you opinion may be more about the phones than the player.

 

[creyc]

oh I wish that were the case!

I don't even open the buds that come with portable players. My iBuds went straight to the trash, still sealed in their pouch.

I'm testing this player with Westone UM2's, which I might have mentioned. The same rings true with my Sony MDR-7506s, albeit to a lesser extent. Both of these are easy to drive, and makes sense I'd hear slight background hissing. This isn't slight. In fact when I get back on my regular computer I'll do a recording of this so you can hear it.

I remember even my iPod sounded "noisey" with my old Super.fi pros. Now THOSE were sensative IEMs. Adding an attenuator helped a lot, and didnt detract much from the audio either. This is an ultra-portable player, it should work well with my "ultra-portable" headphones, my IEMs. I didn't buy a tiny player to use with Jecklin Floats or such.

 

[IpaqMan]

I second the recommendations for Iaudio players for on the go activities.

Personally, for on the go activity, I recommend the Iaudio 5 which comes with two jogswitches: one for FF/RW/play/pause, the second for volume/menu operation. These are more reliable when operating on the go compared to a joystick. It is too easy to bump a joystick and jump tracks when trying to change the volume. I previously owned an Iriver flash player and was frequently losing my position in audiobook tracks when the joystick was accidentally bumped or when I was trying to adjust the volume. Using the hold switch was very inconvenient. I prefer a player whose controls are by design resistant to unintended operation. Many Iaudio 5 operations can be memorized and executed without looking at the player.

 

[creyc]

Looks like I was lucky tonight!

I returned the Creative Zen Nano (no questions asked) and went back to the flash-based player section, where I've become a bit of a regular lately.

A few players that seemed plausible, the San Disk looked like one of my only options besides the iAudio. The iAudio is in a box, which means its impossible to get an idea of its size, so that was out in my opinion.

Then I noticed a sign laying on the shelf mentioning something, amazing. 2GB flash MP3 player: $69.99. It's a PNY player, powered by a AAA battery, boasting compatibility with almost every OS on this side of the galaxy and besides; it's 2GB for $70! Appearance is a bit weak (understatement) but I suppose its more incentive to toss it around.

I figured audio quality couldn't be WORSE than the Creative so I gave it a shot.

Audio is by far better! This was the one thing bugging me the most about the Zen, and the factor that made it impossible to live with. This player solves that, as well as quadrupling the storage space for a mere $20 upgrade. Thats gotta be the deal of the..day, at least.

Menus are tough, to say the least. I'll need to get used to the menus, thats for sure not to mention the screen seems like it should be "flipped", an option available on the Zen.

Overall I think I made it out with the best kit and for the least dough. There's still a lot to be desired in terms of appearance and usability but I never intended on trying to find an "iPod killer/replacement".

 

[Scarpad]

I received Napsters 1GB Flash player today I reviewed it in the forum