[shch13]

As unconventional as it may sound, I did a bit of research and found that there are some voice recorders on the market that can play MP3/AAC and WAV(Linear PCM) files. It doesn't play FLAC but given WAV playback as well as MP3 and AAC, i think it presents an interesting niche for the device.
Memory constraints will occur since most seems to only come with 2 or 4GB, the amount of WAV's will probably only fit 4 albums?
 
example device: http://www.sony.com.au/product/icd-ux533f
 
Has anyone ever tried using voice recorders in this manner? Any vouch for sound quality? Or is it really ridiculous to even consider it. 
 

 

[maeschba]

I sometimes use a Roland R-05 as portable player. The headphone out probably isn't very good and there is a lack of functionality for a playback device. The R-05 doesn't remember the last track played and there is only folder browsing. To change the folder, I have to stop the music. On the positive side, there is AB-repeat and I can change the speed of a track without affecting the music's pitch.
As portable player that can also play hi-res files, it's ok. The two standard AA-batteries the R-05 uses last very long (around 30 hours playback time). For a quiet environment, a more dedicated player is probably better. These normally support larger memory cards and have a more adapted UI for playback.

 

[shch13]

Long battery life is a very good thing to have in today's media device. Have to charge my Walkman/ipod every 3 days.
Just found out Olympus has a similar product too with 8GB of memory but since they don't really make audio products I don't think itd be a great bet if i were to consider a recorder.
When you mean a the headphone out probably isn't very good, are you referring to the sound quality or a noisy headphone output?

 

[maeschba]

I was referring to the sound quality compared to a similiar priced player like the FiiO X3. Noise is not a problem.
The Roland R-05 is a PCM recorder for musicians. I would consider that one and the Sony PCM-M10 which I don't own but considered several times as 2nd portable recorder. A recorder for speech is probably worse sound quality wise.

 

[shch13]

I see I see.
I can imagine that sound quality woulnd't be THAT great compared to dedicated devices. Given its main purpose for speech recording, I wouldn't imagine that the bass would be very articulate (if i can use that word).
But would it not have a very netural signature, very flat since its meant for speech, or a mid-range-ish/vocal based emphasis?
Won't have to use iTunes either lol.

 

[maeschba]

If you don't plan to use the recording features, I'd rather check out the Sansa Clip+ and downconvert hi-res files to 16/44.1 or the new Sony A10 series, which, according to the specs, is excellent. Both can read MicroSD cards and have good sound quality. ... and no iTunes on both cases.