[robman]

A few days ago, I asked for advice about a DAP, and there was broad consensus that the Rio Karma is the best existing player for my needs (gapless playback being the clincher). Here's a twist, however: Rio officially discontinued the Karma in March. This leads me to two more questions:

(1) Why has the Karma been discontinued? Is Rio getting out of the HDD business, or are we in an anticipation-generating lull preceding the introduction of a new-and-improved "Karma 2"?

(2) If the latter, then what improvements might we expect over the original Karma? After all, the current Karma appeared in 2003--decades ago in computer-technology-development time.

Speculations, anyone?

 

[halcyon]

Apparent successor out sometime in the fall.

As for improvements, we can only guess.

If you can find one cheaply, it's a very decent portable, even though the manufacturer has ended it's life.

 

[gshan]

It's the latter. From what I've gathered Rio Karma's successor will be the Rio Chroma.

Search for "chroma" in the portable audio search box.

Here's just one example thread info you'll get:

"1. Rio Karma -> Chroma: Based on sort-of-but-not-really official information, it'll be 30 gigs (probably Hitachi's new 'slim' drive), have a color screen, and be announced in August for a fall release date. You've probably seen the illustration , which is supposedly accrate (specs on that page are out of date). Note the recessed scroll wheel, which should appeal to the more clumsy among us."

Click on the illustration link for a photo. Looks much like a carbon with color screen.

 

[LFC_SL]

patience is a virtue.....

 

[mr.karmalicious]

gshan: that was a real prototype, but Rio scrapped it. UKRE over at Riov has been dropping some hints lately, so search his posts for some useful info.

 

[YamiTenshi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by robman (1) Why has the Karma been discontinued? Is Rio getting out of the HDD business, or are we in an anticipation-generating lull preceding the introduction of a new-and-improved "Karma 2"? (2) If the latter, then what improvements might we expect over the original Karma? After all, the current Karma appeared in 2003--decades ago in computer-technology-development time.

(3) Given that a new player will be coming out in a few months, would it be better to purchase a Karma now while they are becoming really cheap, or wait for a new product that no one really knows anything about?

 

[Jmmmmm]

The prices listed for the chroma were in the mid $300s, so if you want a cheap, great player, the karma is still the way to go.

 

[FenderP]

The Chroma has been rumored for years. Ho hum. After my Karma died, I hoped Rio would release it, but they didn't. So I moved on.

 

[ilikemonkeys]

Color screen
cooler looking interface
nicer EQ
plays both .shn and .flac
still gapless of course

plus, I've heard the new one will come with a monkey butler.

 

[viator122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by halcyon Apparent successor out sometime in the fall.

People have been saying that since LAST fall. haha

 

[halcyon]

Good point.

Maybe the successor will come out next fall, maybe not.

It's all rumours, hints and speculation at this point.

 

[memorex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gshan "1. Rio Karma -> Chroma: Based on sort-of-but-not-really official information, it'll be 30 gigs

The page says 20, are you sure it's 30?

I'm already over 20gigs of music (using 320kbps on all my stuff) and I can't, for the life of me, understand why so many of the players I'd get only go up to 20.

 

[mr.karmalicious]

http://forums-riovolution.com/index....dpost&p=174921

 

[robman]

Thanks, all, for the feedback. At this point, I get the sense that we are in a lull in the technology cycle. I think I'll save my money for the time being and wait for the unveiling of a next-gen audiophile-oriented gapless/lossless/large HDD player, whether from Rio or someone else. If it turns out to be ridiculously expensive or poorly reviewed, the Karmas will still be around, at the very least on eBay.