Alternatives to an iPod?? Suggestions please!!

[hwy747]

Hi guys!!

I am anti iPod (please don't turn this thread into a forum to abuse me because of that ) and I want to get an MP3 player to hook up to the AUX port on the front of my upcomming VE sportwagon. It is a work car so obviously changing the head unit is NOT an option!

What I am looking for is an MP3 player that puts out a good quality sound . Yes I know iPod's put out a good sound, but I will not buy one (long story ) Anyhoo....

Anyone out there in JC land own or use an MP3 player that you think would suit?

EDIT: I have added a poll based on the 4 suggestions offered! Feel free to vote for your favourite! Hopefully this helps anyone else wondering the same thing as me!

[sweefu]

iRiver seem to make some half decent MP3 players.
Personally, i've tried iRivers, sony, mini disks, cheap chinese crap.. almost everything except an iPod becauase i too used to hate them. But everything else is complete rubbish imo.

But anywho, i thought iRiver made some half decent MP3 players..

[STEALTHY™]

I'm interested in your anti ipod reasons. Don't want to start a shitstorm over it, but would like to know why. I use one because its the easiest to navigate, and i hate change.

[jesse'sVT5.0]

The Sony Walkmans are pretty good.

WALKMAN MP3 : Portable Audio : Sony Australia

I bought one for my wife a few years ago because she did not like the iPod Nano I got her. Anyway, I ended up using it more than her, I like it.

It's really all about Dollars and Sense... The Sense part being how it sounds to you!

[Haydz]

comparing anything to an ipod wont come close for usability etc.


but the sound that comes out all depends on the audio that you load onto your mp3 player.

i too thought ipod's were crap and i could get better. i bought a creative 20gb mp3 player. it was alright. as in it wasnt too hard to use etc. but it doesnt come close to the way apple have engineered the touch wheel and the software that goes on them etc.

[calais24/7]

I second iriver i had one and loved it only upgraded for something a with a bit more space. I too hated ipod's to but since buying the new nano they are easy to use but the downside is freaking itunes.

[Uber_Flacky]

Iriver or the Creative Zen, only problem is if your after mass storage, ipod is the go. But Ipods out so next on my list would be the Zen

[joshy123]

microsoft Zune :-) hate apple so much why not give your money to the other side, Can get them off ebay from us they are a pritty good mp3 player

[hwy747]

I'm interested in your anti ipod reasons. Don't want to start a shitstorm over it, but would like to know why. I use one because its the easiest to navigate, and i hate change.

I have had 3 previously over time, all s**t themselves and had to be replaced in warranty (taking 4-6 weeks each time) and then the replacement ones died just after warranty. Each time was a different software issue. I have had a few friends with the same issues so I gave up long ago! Now because of that, I am extremely reluctant to go back down that road.... i know that they have potentially improved the reliability of them since then but it has been enough to scare me off them!!

Thanks for replying guys! I will start looking into the iRiver / Zen / Zune ones and see what suits me!! Appreciate the help!

[STEALTHY™]

I have had 3 previously over time, all s**t themselves and had to be replaced in warranty (taking 4-6 weeks each time) and then the replacement ones died just after warranty. Each time was a different software issue. I have had a few friends with the same issues so I gave up long ago! Now because of that, I am extremely reluctant to go back down that road.... i know that they have potentially improved the reliability of them since then but it has been enough to scare me off them!!

Thanks for replying guys! I will start looking into the iRiver / Zen / Zune ones and see what suits me!! Appreciate the help!

Fair enough. I'd probably be the same if a company had been so dodgy, but i have a new gen now, and its been fine. Only other one i had was a 2nd hand one, worked fine til i smashed the screen. Mine is about 12 months old now, no issues.

[axemurderer101]

geez ive never had any issues with my ipod, i still have and use my 30 gig ipod video which is like 4 years old or something. and i also just recently bought an ipod touch which is great for videos, games and stuff. i can understand if you have had troubles in the past with ipods so you wouldnt want another one but i still rekon they are the best mp3 players around, i am yet to see another portable mp3 player which is 160gig which is pretty impresive really.

[HCVP]

I too am interested in your anti Ipod reasons? If your at all serious about your SQ, then you will still clear of any form of MP3 all together. If you know what happens to a music file once you convert it to MP3 format, regrdless of whether you run a lossless program or not, then the type of device you use to transmitt that signal, Ipod/Iriver/Sony ect, dosen't really matter...

I may rant on like an old fart sometimes, but i just don't understand the need to store 10,000+ or how ever many songs it is you have, on a single device.Your generally only in your car for a short period of time, so your average CD containing 10-15 songs, should be more than enough, if not, then take a CD wallet of some sort with you..

All i can say in favour if the Ipod VS others, is that you can actually buy pre-made cables that will connect your Ipod from it's docking point, into your auxilarry point, rather than going with your typical 3.5mm input, which sacrfices some of your quality yet again

[STEALTHY™]

I too am interested in your anti Ipod reasons? If your at all serious about your SQ, then you will still clear of any form of MP3 all together. If you know what happens to a music file once you convert it to MP3 format, regrdless of whether you run a lossless program or not, then the type of device you use to transmitt that signal, Ipod/Iriver/Sony ect, dosen't really matter...

I may rant on like an old fart sometimes, but i just don't understand the need to store 10,000+ or how ever many songs it is you have, on a single device.Your generally only in your car for a short period of time, so your average CD containing 10-15 songs, should be more than enough, if not, then take a CD wallet of some sort with you..

He explained above his reasons. And yes, you are ranting, i have 1500 songs, because sometimes i want to listen to one genre, other times i want to listen to another, and there all right there if i change my mind

[one_and_only2004]

I too have been screwed around with apple (ipods breaking and refusal of warranty honouring), so i tried sony. Not as easy to navigate - like everyone else has mentioned - but the sound quality is pretty damn good. I refuse to give my money to those bastards again.

[edals]

Really? 4-6 Weeks to get your replacement iPod, We Get a replacement in 24 hours. And compared to the amount of iPods we use to get through with 4th gen iPod photos and minis., the New ones are so much more reliable as they use flash memory, Except the iPod video that has a small hard drive, and every drop or bang will damage the drive. Have fun getting warranty anywhere when you need to repair your sony or iriver. I have had a iPod video for 6 Years now and still working perfectly, I had to replace the battery though cause leaving it in a hot car the battery expanded lol. LOL, Zunes are only in USA, I dont like the poo brown one lol

[Luke0011]

I too am interested in your anti Ipod reasons? If your at all serious about your SQ, then you will still clear of any form of MP3 all together. If you know what happens to a music file once you convert it to MP3 format, regrdless of whether you run a lossless program or not, then the type of device you use to transmitt that signal, Ipod/Iriver/Sony ect, dosen't really matter...

I may rant on like an old fart sometimes, but i just don't understand the need to store 10,000+ or how ever many songs it is you have, on a single device.Your generally only in your car for a short period of time, so your average CD containing 10-15 songs, should be more than enough, if not, then take a CD wallet of some sort with you..

All i can say in favour if the Ipod VS others, is that you can actually buy pre-made cables that will connect your Ipod from it's docking point, into your auxilarry point, rather than going with your typical 3.5mm input, which sacrfices some of your quality yet again

so explain how the audio from the ipod dock connector is better quality than the 3.5mm.

[94vrcaprice]

i use my 16gig nokia n96 in my car and truck sound quality is perfect if you use the right leads

[VZ-Rob]

I use my HTC Magic when the musics and a phone call comes in
it switches the call through to the speakers then back to music when the call is over
hands free

[VesperZ]

I have had 3 previously over time, all s**t themselves and had to be replaced in warranty (taking 4-6 weeks each time) and then the replacement ones died just after warranty. Each time was a different software issue. I have had a few friends with the same issues so I gave up long ago! Now because of that, I am extremely reluctant to go back down that road.... i know that they have potentially improved the reliability of them since then but it has been enough to scare me off them!!

Thanks for replying guys! I will start looking into the iRiver / Zen / Zune ones and see what suits me!! Appreciate the help!

Sounds hard to believe, did you throw it around or something? I've never had an issue with mine and it sounds hard to believe that people do have issues with them unless it's due to lack of care.

[VesperZ]

I too am interested in your anti Ipod reasons? If your at all serious about your SQ, then you will still clear of any form of MP3 all together. If you know what happens to a music file once you convert it to MP3 format, regrdless of whether you run a lossless program or not, then the type of device you use to transmitt that signal, Ipod/Iriver/Sony ect, dosen't really matter...

I may rant on like an old fart sometimes, but i just don't understand the need to store 10,000+ or how ever many songs it is you have, on a single device.Your generally only in your car for a short period of time, so your average CD containing 10-15 songs, should be more than enough, if not, then take a CD wallet of some sort with you..

All i can say in favour if the Ipod VS others, is that you can actually buy pre-made cables that will connect your Ipod from it's docking point, into your auxilarry point, rather than going with your typical 3.5mm input, which sacrfices some of your quality yet again

And this is coming from I'm assuming a generation where tapes were used or even worse?

[esprit]

Can recommend the Sony MP3 players, great sound quality

[hwy747]

Sounds hard to believe, did you throw it around or something? I've never had an issue with mine and it sounds hard to believe that people do have issues with them unless it's due to lack of care.

Believe it. Like I said in my post, SOFTWARE issues, not physical issues. I treat my stuff with respect.

[STEALTHY™]

I too have been screwed around with apple (ipods breaking and refusal of warranty honouring), so i tried sony. Not as easy to navigate - like everyone else has mentioned - but the sound quality is pretty damn good. I refuse to give my money to those bastards again.

Speaking of warranty, my housemate washed mine about 3 days after i got it. Took it back to jb, and they just swapped it over and sent the washed one back. Lucky they didn't make it go back for warranty, cause the watermark would show lol

[GetToDaChopa]

Has anyone mentioned the Zune yet. If you have Windows and you're not using the Zune... you're missing out.

...Personally i'd stick to the iPod though.

[edals]

Has anyone mentioned the Zune yet. If you have Windows and you're not using the Zune... you're missing out.

...Personally i'd stick to the iPod though.

Only in USA, get one shipped over i guess? then how do you get warranty? Do they still make the poo color ? lol