[Bijl]

Though this NW-A3000 is a newer model, I don't see any differences except new (supposedly worse) software, it's bigger, looks different, has a non-removable battery and the battery life is worse. Does anyone know what the improvements are?

 

[Pluman]

looks

 

[Bijl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pluman looks

ridiculous

 

[LFC_SL]

According to the Sony press release - "9 home icons"; like a mobile or 'cellphone', to control the DAP

Edit: Re new Connect software. I laughed out loud when I heard its worser than SS. Its system resource hogging as well - uses 6 figs of mem usage

 

[Bijl]

So i'll be better of getting the hd-5, since everything is better except that it looks a bit more ordinary (which doesn't bother me really)?

 

[jant71]

Main differences to HD5: non removable battery with less life(29hours w/128kbps ATRAC), bigger and heavier, EQ works with all codecs now, one connector for both AC power and to computer. New icon based interface.

Some bad points make this another Sony dissapointment. No apparent improvements in SQ. SNR is 84 for headphone out and 96 for line out. Why they couldn't get a cleaner headphone out I don't know. Seems too complicated with too many menus and requiring alot of button pressing. Still no true on-the-fly playlists or adjustment of auto off time. Things like Initial search and Bookmarks are really unusable since they are not quick or easy to use. Still can't delete on the player. The player seems to be linked to Connect player too much. You can't delete songs make playlists or use several other functions without it.

I think it can be summed up in one statement; Sony still doesn't get it!

 

[Pluman]

I noticed the volume of the A1000/3000 is louder than that of the HD5. For example vol 14 of the A1000 is equal to vol 16 of the HD5.

 

[LFC_SL]

In all honesty, all they've done is add a couple of shuffle modes and extras here and there

Whether that warrants a new player instead of a firmware update that other manufacturers would have done...you decide

 

[Veggie_Musician]

I think the HD5 looks nicer! The new one looks like a bar of soap!

 

[Bijl]

I'm thinking about getting a NW-HD5 then, since the most important things (SQ and battery life/removability) seem to be good and for the rest it's a decent player. I don't really care for on-the-go playlists, never used any playlists on my iPod anyway. Only big downside is I'll have to use SonicStage.