Need a new MP3 Player

[Wookie]

Lost my Mp3 player last night.

Need a new one, mostly for the gym/running/biking.

Always have used creative (other than the first generation of Rio).

But I went online to Futureshop and Bestbuy and there is no creative stuff. WTF?

Also I have $50 gift card for F/S so I'd like to shop there.

Any suggestions?

[Igottago]

I liked Creative as well but it seems they have been really slow releasing players in recent years. I think I read they are releasing an Ipod Touch competitor later this year though.

I think Sony's Walkman line is getting solid reviews. Sound quality is supposed to be great and I think they come with good earbuds as well.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I liked Creative as well but it seems they have been really slow releasing players in recent years. I think I read they are releasing an Ipod Touch competitor later this year though.

I think Sony's Walkman line is getting solid reviews. Sound quality is supposed to be great and I think they come with good earbuds as well.

What about annoying sony only stuff?
Like DRM, or, I don't even know what to ask about these days. My creative stuff played everything. Sony scares me.

[Azure]

The new Sony players don't have DRM, nor do they use Sonicstage anymore.

Its drag and drop now.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by Azure

The new Sony players don't have DRM, nor do they use Sonicstage anymore.

Its drag and drop now.

Oh, that sounds promising then! Sony can make great products... when they're not pissing around with them.

I'll have a look, wonder how good gym/running they are. YAy

[llama64]

The older iPod shuffle is the best small form-factor MP3 player I've ever used. The new one is awful though.

This is the one I mean:


Recently bought one for 55$ at the Market Mall Apple Store. Not sure if Futureshop carries that specific model.

[Jedi Ninja]

I've heard that the Sansa Clip has pretty darn good sound quality, especially if you upgrade the headphones, and the small form factor is great for running. Another Sansa product I like is the Fuze, because it has an MicroSD slot and can be expanded later if you need.

FYI, the selection of non-DRM MP3's on Puretracks seems to have improved vastly in the past 6 months, so it is easier to get content for non-iPods than it used to be.

[Kipper is King]

The Sony X series has gotten great reviews, but a touch interface may not be something you are into.

[Wookie]

thanks for the replies!
picked up the sony something or other, 4 gb, although it sounds great, got some weird layout, the earphones plug into the bottom, no clip or case (will go to the sony store and look) and stupid sony proprietary plug, so I can't just charge it anywhere with a standard USB cable.. which is annoying. Ad that to my new blackberry 9800 has micro USB.. what an annoying day for cables.

[HotHotHeat]

It amazes me people buy things other than iPods.

I don't care how biased I am, they are by far the best mp3 players out there. iTunes alone makes them the only choice IMO.

[Wookie]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

It amazes me people buy things other than iPods.

I don't care how biased I am, they are by far the best mp3 players out there. iTunes alone makes them the only choice IMO.

It equally amazes me how people think they are the best mp3 players out there - even after admitting thier bias

Actually, I'm more amazed that ipod has so dominated the market that people don't even think other mp3 players exist.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

They're cheap AND durable.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by Wookie

It equally amazes me how people think they are the best mp3 players out there - even after admitting thier bias

Actually, I'm more amazed that ipod has so dominated the market that people don't even think other mp3 players exist.

The iPod brand is a strong one because it's focused more on users then on technology. It is also paired with a very nice piece of software - despite what some people argue.

I've always hated the do it yourself mentality of other mp3 players. I'd much rather have software handle my library then actually drag and drop the files myself. Colour me lazy, but I haven't found any other hardware+software combo that matches the iPod/iTunes product.

[GreenTeaFrapp]

Originally Posted by llama64

I've always hated the do it yourself mentality of other mp3 players. I'd much rather have software handle my library then actually drag and drop the files myself. Colour me lazy, but I haven't found any other hardware+software combo that matches the iPod/iTunes product.

I find the Zune is a better piece of hardware then the equivalent iPod but the software is worse then iTunes although I find both can be frustrating to use at times.

[metallicat]

I sold my old 8GB Nano to a friend awhile back for 100 dollars...wish I never had. It was one of the older ones, the flat black colour with a colour screen. It really didn't do anything other than play music, but it would be perfect for a workout iPod IMO.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I find the Zune is a better piece of hardware then the equivalent iPod but the software is worse then iTunes although I find both can be frustrating to use at times.

Whoa, I know people get other MP3 players that aren't iPods. But people buy Zunes?

[Wookie]

Actually the sony passed its first test. Took it out for a run, it was loud, clear, good quality, no weird problems on random, was easy to load, drag/drop, just didn't have a case so I stuck it in my pants for 17km and it got really sweaty.

If I can find a decent case I think I'll keep it. Battery life says 24 hours. Although I'm confused how a case will work with the earphone plug on the bottom.... odd.

[OilKiller]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

Whoa, I know people get other MP3 players that aren't iPods. But people buy Zunes?

Bought my wife and Zune and she is more than happy with it.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by OilKiller

Bought my wife and Zune and she is more than happy with it.

I can honestly say I've only seen a Zune in the store. It wasn't totally meant as a slam, more a statement of fact.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

I find the Zune is a better piece of hardware then the equivalent iPod but the software is worse then iTunes although I find both can be frustrating to use at times.

If iTunes could update the Zune... I would be a happy llama.