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Poll

which HDD player?

iRiver h140
[ 9 ] (10.8%)
iRiver h340
[ 5 ] (6%)
iAudio X5L
[ 17 ] (20.5%)
iPod
[ 21 ] (25.3%)
Rio Karma
[ 9 ] (10.8%)
Creative Zen
[ 6 ] (7.2%)
...other
[ 5 ] (6%)
no hdd, instead memory :P
[ 6 ] (7.2%)
i'd choose the speakers
[ 1 ] (1.2%)
i hate polls
[ 4 ] (4.8%)

Total Members Voted: 135

Topic: Which HDD player? (Read 7411 times) previous topic - next topic
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Which HDD player?

Helló!

I decided to buy a HDD player. I'd look around on the internet, and chose some(which is available in my country). But cant choose between them, because what i found about them mostly was commercial text, and -to tell the truth- they are ...hmm, you know them  ...not always tell everything. So i ask your opinions and expereince.i forget to tell,that first i'd like to use it for listen to music , even files in wav or lossless format(maybe ape, flac).

Some years ago i bought an iRiver imp-400 cd player, which works still fine, was perfect for me. That's why i first thinking of to get an iriver ihp140. I heard many good things about that, has many good feature, but i think they make no more(?)...Has good sound too(!).thats why iriver is first on my list...
the others:

iAudio x5(L), nearly same prize(even if i buy the cradle...not included).hmm first i think it is also a good choice, but i dont know the quality of its sound.Has a colour display...I heard that it is nearly unuseful(but if i choose this, i would only see some Simpsons on it  ). But to sound is the first!

if colour display: iriver h340, also with colour display(why not colour display, in these days), but i read, that it is "less" than h140...
sorry for the next candidate: ipod  .i dont like them, but i take a looke at them: can play videos, easy navigation(?)...hmmm

So please help me, and tell your opinions, and advice one of them ,or introduce me others(i've just spared enough money  ).
oo, another important question: how vulnerable are these hdd players?maybe sometimes i wanna use them on bike(on racing bike, not on mountain or kind, just on straight concrete roads:), can i? 
So all in one, id like to buy a HDD player with very good sound quality, and with opportunity to playback lossless/wav formats;maybe with colour display, but if unuseful, than forget;and sorry for my bad language

ps. or forget all this hdd players and buy some good speakers or amplifier?
thanx

Which HDD player?

Reply #1 –
The Rio Karma is still my favorite. It's great, but mine broke (hdd failure - seems to be common for the Karma). Missing UMS here as well...

iriver 1xx have good Rockbox support which improves them by a large margin and makes them my second favorite on par with the Karma.

I think the X5 is interesting in the "L" variant because I really like huge runtimes 8-)

iPod is "okay" but might get really nice if Rockbox support matures - seems to come along very well.

Summary: if you don't get a Karma get something that runs Rockbox

My vote goes to ahm... Rio Karma, iriver (Rockbox) or iPod (Rockbox is pretty close now)

Which HDD player?

Reply #2 –
I had a karma and it broke twice within a month and a half.  I really recommend against the karma unless it stays static on your stereo and plays your mp3s in the house.

Which HDD player?

Reply #3 –
Quote
The Rio Karma is still my favorite. It's great, but mine broke (hdd failure - seems to be common for the Karma). Missing UMS here as well...

iriver 1xx have good Rockbox support which improves them by a large margin and makes them my second favorite on par with the Karma.

I think the X5 is interesting in the "L" variant because I really like huge runtimes 8-)

iPod is "okay" but might get really nice if Rockbox support matures - seems to come along very well.

Summary: if you don't get a Karma get something that runs Rockbox

My vote goes to ahm... Rio Karma, iriver (Rockbox) or iPod (Rockbox is pretty close now)
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357775"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


    I'd love to have a iriver H140, but the only way to get them is on ebay either used or from Korea.  I don't like the idea of getting a one year old HDD player, and I don't know about these "new" Korean listings on Ebay.  Does anyone know of a difference between one bought from korea? Would it be in the English language, etc.?
      Also, to any H140 users out there.  Is it really that good that it's worth gambling on a $400 ebay purchase for a used one (not knowing the condition, or what it's been through), or from someone camming it a "new" one from Korea??  I could get a brand new ipod or XL5 for that much cash.
    It seems to me that it would be better to go with a currently produced product like the X5 or the (cringe) ipod 5th gen.  I hear that the 5th gen. ipods actually sound very similar to the x5 in audio quality (virtually indistiguishable) from several sources including somone who did extensive blind ABX tests with good equipment who said he detected no practical difference from the headphone out (which is what I care most about).  However, there is the bass roll-off problem with the line out on the X5.

Which HDD player?

Reply #4 –
Quote
My vote goes to ahm... Rio Karma, iriver (Rockbox) or iPod (Rockbox is pretty close now)
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357775"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Rockbox isn't even finished/stable for the iRiver H1x0 series and Rockbox iPod support is far from useable right at this time (I'd guess they need a yera at last to finish it).
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Which HDD player?

Reply #5 –
Quote
However, there is the bass roll-off problem with the line out on the X5.[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357811"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Most portable players do suffer from a low-end roll-off when driving low-impedance headphones (some suffer more, some suffer less) ... their amplifiers simply cannot deliver enough current. The iRiver H-1xx was an exception ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Which HDD player?

Reply #6 –
Quote
Quote
My vote goes to ahm... Rio Karma, iriver (Rockbox) or iPod (Rockbox is pretty close now)
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357775"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Rockbox isn't even finished/stable for the iRiver H1x0 series and Rockbox iPod support is far from useable right at this time (I'd guess they need a yera at last to finish it).
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357814"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Rockbox IS very stable for the H1x0 series. I have been using it for more than 6 months, and have rarely had issues. It is definitely much better than the standard iRiver firmware. That said, it is still being developed, and is getting better every day. I HIGHLY recommend getting a player that can use it - the H140 is superb.

Which HDD player?

Reply #7 –
Here's my 5 cents. Or was it 50 cents? Whatever.
I'm not an expert but that doesn't mean I'm not entitled to an opinion.
I recently was in a dilemma which portable HDD player to buy.
It highly depends on what you want from such a device.
Normally I would advise against iRiver products. I've heard some bad things about them. Can't say for sure, though. The iPod is better in my opinion but it's also more expensive as far as I know. Creative? Nope, heard even worse things about them than about the iRivers. The iAudio X5L looks nice, though. At first glance. It's just too damn expensive. Playing videos is usually cool... but with 15 frames per second? I know it's better than nothing but no thanks. Can show pictures? Well, OK, but I heard it shows them kinda slowly. If you're REALLY gonna use it most of the time while riding your bike, then I guess you won't have that much use of these two functions. You can't ride and watch movies or pictures at the same time, can you?
Color display and wallpaper is nice but kinda useless. It plays Vorbis and FLAC. Now that's truly nice. But if you don't care THAT much about colorful things, you'd better think if one lossless playback ability is worth paying probably more than twice the money you could spend on a more "primitive" portable.
I voted "other". Yes, I do have one portable in mind. It's the Archos Gmini XS202. One guy recommended it to me. Just for comparison: here in Germany the iPod costs around 330 euro, the Archos costs around 180 euro. True, the Archos dude doesn't have a color display. Doesn't have games, calendar and other crap but I want an MP3 player, not a secretary in a small box. As for WAV files, well, every portable can play them (as far as I know). That goes for WMA as well.
If you REALLY want lossless playback and like colorful thins a lot, AND have the money, I'd say go for the iAudio X5L.
Otherwise, if you don't care for fancy stuff, lossless ain't THAT important and you wouldn't mind saving some money, then go for the Archos Gmini XS202.
The iriver products, iPod, Creative etc. are somewhere in between I think. With Creative having some bad reputation, iriver also (but not as much as Creative). iPod being a very good choice if it wasn't the price. If you ask me, the iPod doesn't have a very good what-you-get/price ratio. It does have firewire
Furthermore: the Creative and iPod gadgets can't play the files UNLESS they have been added to the playlists via their own software or another software for the purpose. You can't just copy the mp3s, plug the earbuds and listen.
Can't say about the Rio Karma and iRivers. The Archos however has no such issues. Copy, unplug USB cable, plug headphones (or whatever), play, enjoy.
A nice thing about the iPod i forgot to mention is having a Firewire port. That can speed up transfer, if you have a Firewire capable motherboard that is.

Here's the PROs and CONs for my recommendation (the Archos Gmini XS202):

+ lowest price for a 20GB player you'll ever find
+ nice interface (doesn't mean the best but does mean better than some of the previously mentioned)
+ smallest 20GB portable you'll ever find
+ adapter fits american, english and european outlets (for the latter two you get a separate add-on to make it work, yes it's included in the package)
+ you don't need to add the newly copied music files to a playlist via some software (only copy and play)
+ pretty nice battery life
+ you can rename AND delete files using the player, you don't have to connect to a PC to do it
+ supports M3U playlists

- no Firewire (but then again, only the iPod has one, or am I mistaken?)
- can't be recharged via the USB cable
- no FM radio
- no line-in
- no mic
- because of the lack of the previous three - no recording features
- basic playback features (MP3, WAV, WMA)

Just in case you decide on the Archos, read the manual to get familiar with some things. If I had read it, I wouldn't have been in a dumb situation wondering WHAT THE HELL had happaned - buttons weren't working. A bit later I realised I had them locked without knowing it.
Headphones included in the package aren't that great but are OK I guess. They have additional volume control (can't say for other portables).

if you should forget the portable and get amp and speakers?
Well, then you can't listen to them while on the bike.    Besides that setup would cost a lot more (if you want decent sounding equipment) than a portable and additional headphones (to replace the usually not-so-good phones you get with the portable).

The sound quality? Well, some portables are a bit better than others but you're going to use it while riding a bike for crying out loud! With all that ambient noise I SERIOUSLY doubt you'd be able to tell the difference. So don't let the sound quality be your primary concern.

Sorry for the long reading. Kinda had an inspiration to write it.
I hope I helped at least a little bit.
 

Night_Raven a.k.a. _Raziel.BG

Which HDD player?

Reply #8 –
I can't recommend the H140 with Rockbox enough.  Worst case scenario an H340 with Rockbox which is getting much more advanced as time goes on.

Both are excellent machines.
Nero AAC 1.5.1.0: -q0.45

Which HDD player?

Reply #9 –
Quote
I can't recommend the H140 with Rockbox enough.  Worst case scenario an H340 with Rockbox which is getting much more advanced as time goes on.

Both are excellent machines.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357990"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Can u tell me more about the battery lifetime?Do you have experience with lossless files, or wave files?In this case what is the player operational time?thanx

Which HDD player?

Reply #10 –
Quote
Rockbox IS very stable for the H1x0 series. I have been using it for more than 6 months, and have rarely had issues.


True ... but there hasn't been an official release yet because some features are still missing (e.g. SPDIF recording) ... and there are some bugs left as well.

Quote
It is definitely much better than the standard iRiver firmware. That said, it is still being developed, and is getting better every day.


iRiver firmware is a true mess IMO ... but iRiver Rockbox development became rather slow during the last months ... which might be due to the ongoing X5/iPod porting effort.

Quote
I HIGHLY recommend getting a player that can use it - the H140 is superb.[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357933"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


My rockboxed H120 will be superb as well once all features are implemented ...
The name was Plex The Ripper, not Jack The Ripper

Which HDD player?

Reply #11 –
Quote
Quote
I can't recommend the H140 with Rockbox enough.  Worst case scenario an H340 with Rockbox which is getting much more advanced as time goes on.

Both are excellent machines.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357990"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Can u tell me more about the battery lifetime?Do you have experience with lossless files, or wave files?In this case what is the player operational time?thanx
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=358579"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]
It plays PCM, FLAC, and WavPack and battery life with those will most likely be at least 10 hours (less than the lossy codecs due to increased spinup of the HDD).
Nero AAC 1.5.1.0: -q0.45

Which HDD player?

Reply #12 –
Probably my poinion is not much helpful because you are looking for an HHD player. Anyway, I'd like to explain what I've voted.

I voted for memory insteadof HDD because...

1st of all, I'm too lazy to carry both mobile phone and portable music player along with me.

2nd, I don't need lots of space. I'm usually listen to my current favourites which are around 20-40 songs at a time. 512MB memorystick is enough.

3rd, my laptop has built-in memorystick slot, therefore its convenient to transfer music files.

4th, my mobile phone is capable of playing back AAC files.

However, if you also interest in flash memory player, I recommend you not to buy ones that have fixed-size. After a few years, they tend to become obsolete.

About the brand, I would recommend iRiver. I've got one of their flash players and it was really good. I've heard of their good reputation in other products as well.

Which HDD player?

Reply #13 –
i use a rca lyra rd2840 40 gig player ive had it for 2+ years droped it many times use it in cold weather never had a problem with it battery life is 8-12 hrs pending the weather temp. on board profiling 2.0 usb drag and drop style. only down side only plays mp3 but can store any thing on it ive had vob files apps avi you name it. good support from rca as well. if and when this one breaks or i want a new one will go with rca again A+ in my book

Which HDD player?

Reply #14 –
I personally suggest against RCA... Their MP3 players feel as responsive as a runny nose when you have a flu. I tried three of them, and they all had shitty interfaces and slow response time (eg half a second before the "next track" button works.)

Which HDD player?

Reply #15 –
Quote
[..]

Here's the PROs and CONs for my recommendation (the Archos Gmini XS202):

[..]
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=357939"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Excellent info, _Raziel-BG (nice nick...    ) It reminded me to vote "other", since I had almost forgotten that I've been liking this player's features already in its earlier form (XS200 I think).

One con to add for completeness: it doesn't play the DRMed WMA's (which I don't mind).

Since encoding is so fast on a newer pc, I don't even really mind that it needs me to encode all my music to MP3.

If I get a new player, this is the one.

Which HDD player?

Reply #16 –
I may choose iriver h340...because it is iriver  , and hard to find any new h140...
And rockbox already runs on it. But tell me if you know any negative things about this..thanx for the help 

oo, i cant decide between them: iriver h340 || iaudio x5l ... 

iu.:will this player good for an overtone hearer? ...

Which HDD player?

Reply #17 –
I own an iAudio x5L and I love it. The x5L has a very long battery life compared to other players I have seen. The makers advertise ~30 hours but I get ~24, which is still very good.

The player also supports OGG, WAV, and FLAC.
love, IAN
droptothetop.com/

Which HDD player?

Reply #18 –
Quote
I own an iAudio x5L and I love it. The x5L has a very long battery life compared to other players I have seen. The makers advertise ~30 hours but I get ~24, which is still very good.

The player also supports OGG, WAV, and FLAC.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=359541"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Yeap, as far as I know, the X5L does have the longest battery life. Can't beat that. If it wasn't the price (TWICE as much as my Archos Gmini XS202: 353 euro vs 179 euro) I would have bought that, no doubt about it. It's just too expensive, especially when I'd take very little advantage of the vorbis and flac playback abilities since 99,99% of my music is mp3. It would be nice to have but TO HAVE in case you need it ain't worth twice as much money. For me, that is.

Quote
(nice nick...      )

Thanks but... I don't get it...  what's so nice about it? Just another nick. I'm confused. 

Which HDD player?

Reply #19 –
For those that have/like the X5L, do you know if it plays OGGs with true gapless capability?  That's the only thing that has prevented me from getting a DAP so far.  I have ripped a bunch of dance mix CDs which are continuous mixes, and pauses between each track are very distracting, even miniscule ones.

Cheers, and apologies if this has been asked elsewhere before.
p22

Which HDD player?

Reply #20 –
I'm afraid your only hope for true gapless Vorbis playback is a player with Rockbox or the Rio Karma.  From what I hear the X5 has about .5 second gap for Vorbis.
Nero AAC 1.5.1.0: -q0.45