iPod or Zen or ...?

Tell me about mp3 players
iPod ???
Apple iPod C or D?

-The Zen's display screen is tiny, has a blue backlight, and is cluttered with info in a tiny font.
-The volume and seek controls feel cheap and flimsy.
-The included software is kind of iffy.
-It is a bit bigger than the ipod.

That said, it is cheaper and has a larger hard drive per price point.

The ipod looks nicer, but seen as it's in my pocket all the time anyway that doesn't seem to matter. I'm sure it is easier to use too but I don't have a problem using the Zen.

I don't know about the included headphones as I ordered some fontopia ones with it. I assumed they would be rubbish quality. The fontopia ones are nice.

I agree the software's a bit iffy, but it does do the job which in the end is what matters.

I've no idea about sound quality comparisons between the two, but the Zen is fine for me.

Ahem. Firstly, can I link it up to my stereo/the speakers that I put the cd walkman through? And use it as a stereo?

Also, how does one do a quick search for files/organise them into playlists and so on without a keyboard? There seems to be a scrolling mechanism, but I can't quite get me head round how this works if I, say, want to listen to an entire album, or just want to listen to songs by fucking Tears for Fears or whatever. Do I have to prepare the playlists on the pc and then transfer them to the gadget or something? Cos if so, it seems like a bit of a hassle.

Sorry about the swearing, I think I may have Tourettes syndrome. Anyone know the answers to me questions though?

Yes - you can do this with any device that has a headphone socket, just like with your CD walkman. You just need the headphone -> red & white phono lead that you probably already have.

I don't know anything about the Creative Labs jukebox, sorry.

Tell me : should I buy an ipod?

The Zen looks more like an '80s walkman, so it's less likely to get nicked. A guy at work said "that's a bit of a brick" to me a month or two ago! Sound quality wise they're roughly equivalent. I link my Zen up to the stereo and that works fine. A 60GB Zen is currently £282 on Amazon, where a 40GB IPod is £369.

Also, how does one do a quick search for files/organise them into playlists and so on without a keyboard? There seems to be a scrolling mechanism, but I can't quite get me head round how this works if I, say, want to listen to an entire album, or just want to listen to songs by fucking Tears for Fears or whatever. Do I have to prepare the playlists on the pc and then transfer them to the gadget or something? Cos if so, it seems like a bit of a hassle.

Do I want one of these? I think I do. What do you keep your iPod in?

There is a setting that attempts to limit the volume to "safe" levels...

Yes, but it seems like you have to buy the 40 Gig model to get it, CP. Otherwise Apple wants you to pay another $30 to get one....like the 10, 15, or 20 Gig is waterproof?

Is it me, or is it that the only reason IPod sells so well is the advertising? Surely, it's not the best MP3 player out, is it? I still want one, but can't afford the massive price tag.

My question: Is it actually worth getting the IPod Mini? Tempted to get one of those instead, but wanna be sure it's worth getting.

Nearly there though. And what I can do with it, I absolutely love.

I think it picks the titles up out of the properties rather than just the name of the files.

Did you get the volume thing sorted?

Can anyone tell me how I get at the properties of my mp3s?

So, how does the current versions of iPod and Zen Micro stack up?

I've been hearing about something screwy about the headphone jack in the Zen Micro (like it falls out or somesuch), has Creative fixed this problem yet?

Also, with the Zen you don't have to worry about coordinating with your music library or specific version of itunes/generic mp3 player software or whatever. I can hook up my Zen to any computer with mediasource (the Zen's software) and add music from that computer or transfer my music to their computer. The Zen also has a jog wheel, which I like very much. I really don't think the physical layout of an mp3 player should be a concern to anyone...once you have it for a while even the strangest layouts will become second nature.

The main problems I have with the Zen is that it's unsexy, and sometimes I'd like to have a pretty mp3 player. Also, the thing about the ipod is that it's so ubiquitious that you feel a bit left out. And there are all these neat gadgets and gizmos made for the ipod every day. But I don't think it's anything you can't live with. Ipod prices are going down, so maybe I'll get one in the future.

i'd write more about it, but right now i need to piss.

I use Podworks (very cheap shareware for OSX) to transfer music off an iPod, very easy to use.

Alright, so the classic, which I would prefer to buy another one of, is now $150 more expensive than it used to be. Any alternatives with at least 60 GB that aren't a Touch?

Thanks, Apple, for discontinuing that shit right when I need a new one.

Has anybody splashed on a Fiio X5 or X3?
Any good? Are they loud enough without having to hook up with an amp? After years of listening at stupid volumes, my ears have given up the ghost
I've searched for clues out there but remain none the wiser

I have used a Fiio E17 to drive my I pod classic for a number of years and was wondering whether either of these would be an improvement
on its own

I keep reading about hacks to the iPod (classic) 5.5 gen, which evidently is the most hackable iPod, replacing the controller chip to add newer features, and mor importantly, replacing the 30gb hard drive on the thinner model with a 256 or 512GB CompactFlash card. Has anyone tried or used these?

I just got an IBasso DX50, which only has six gb of on-board storage but takes micro SD cards, which are cheap and getting cheaper. In a few years, if 2TB cards are affordable, it'll be able to hold my entire music collection. Also reads from micro USB so about £40 of extra money gets 120gb of storage. Plays MP3, FLAC, etc. Has a replaceable battery.

The sound is great. The user interface is not great. Think it can be Rockboxed, but idk.

Worth looking at.

Hey Wristy, I was looking at the Basso too. I'm stuck. It's a great quandary to have mind.
I'm wondering if the Basso is loud enough to drive my Shure 530s, without separate amp? Given my fooked ears

Which is the same question I'm asking re the Fiio X5

I'm afraid I don't know. There are three gain settings, the highest one for use with more demanding headphones, but I'm just using standard in-ears.

Cheers for that
Not showing off re my 530s btw.
It has something to do with my music obsession - most other possessions fade into insignificance and take a back seat

Players with micro SD slots are key. My rockboxed ipod classic will die someday (or I'll try to get it fitted with a ridiculous SSDD) but I spend just as much time listening to my (rockboxed) Sansa Clip Zip with one of several different 64 gb micro SD in it depending on my mood. I also have a 128 gb micro SD which currently makes a half-hearted attempt to encompass the cream of my classical library. 256 gb would do nicely.

One of these newer audiophile players has DUAL micro SD slots which is a nice idea. I can't remember the name but I almost bought it at B&H the last time I had disposable income.

Gonna look at this Basso...

I keep reading about hacks to the iPod (classic) 5.5 gen, which evidently is the most hackable iPod, replacing the controller chip to add newer features, and mor importantly, replacing the 30gb hard drive on the thinner model with a 256 or 512GB CompactFlash card. Has anyone tried or used these?

― and in his absence, she (Lee626), Monday, September 29, 2014 3:47 AM (5 hours ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

I'm actually bidding on a 240 gb ipod classic on ebay right now. Actually, there is quite a few external/internal customization that goes along with the 5.5 gen Ipods. It's like the Ipod version of the Hackintosh.

The 240gb Toshiba hard drive works in a 6th-gen classic too

I think the thin 5.5 gen white is my fave full-size iPod though. It's THE classic iPod for me.

The headphone jack of my beloved iBasso DX50 has developed a fault. Amazon are refunding it as they have no replacements in stock. Has anything amazing been released in the last nine months or should i just get another DX50 / upgrade to a DX90?