Anyone got some recommedations for a dedicated mp3 player....

Been looking at FiiO models but is there anything better.

Not interested in any cameras or other junk I just want a large capacity media player akin to the defunt ipod classic with a similar capacity which will perferable play aac, apple losseless and audible sudiobook formats.

One of the new HD Sonys?

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio/porta...094102-pdt.html

had a quick go, seems nice enough - decent sound for sure!

Sony easily puts most players into touch. If you get a player with 5 pin output the sound is out of this world!

For general use I have a Walkman, a guy at work is a total audiophile and has stated that the sound reproduction is brilliant, makes his apple device sound 'like the drummer is hitting biscuit tins'.

Apparently there's hi res music players out there

http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/sonys-tiny-high-resolution-audio-player-might-be-the-next-big-thing/

I have a Sandisk Sansa Clip+ , good sound quality (for a portable MP3 player), small and cheap, without any fancy features like a colour screen.

8GB version + 32GB expansion card gives plenty of space + there are hacked firmwares available for some non-standard features.

http://www.sandisk.co.uk/products/music-video-players/clip-plus-mp3-player/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-16GB-Standa...words=sony+nwza
That one is supposed to be the Daddy, has an sd card slot too which is handy for future expansion.

Seen the sansa products but not keen to be honest.

Been looking at the sony range as welll look like a decent alternative maybe have to get to a shop to have a play. Anyone actually got one?

Did anybody actually click the link I posted?

Yes mate I did. And the links other links.....

I have a Sony Z2 phone, so not dedicated software but it does have 5 pin headphone jack and I am pretty certain it's the best sound I've had through ear buds. The noise cancelling feature - you get an equaliser to play with or a choice of settings - is fantastic. They remove most noise when running outside and the X factor has no chance!

I can also block most of the kids fighting and the wife moaning which is a big bonus!

1 draw back would be using them in an open office, you'd never hear anyone coming!

thats alright my desk is in a corner facing out so I can see everyone in the office

Why nobody has replaced the iPod Classic with a high capacity music player, I really don't know. I loved the concept of having all your music with you all the time. It took away the "what to leave out" conundrum.

Me too, we seem to have taken a step backwards in terms of capacity in favour of streaming shity quality music through phones.

I think a FiiO X5 fitted with 2x 128GB cards is probable the closet to what I want but at around £450 its a little steep....but then again it seems some people are asking/will pay that much for the now discontinued iPod classic so maybe its not.

A used high capacity iphone would do the job, without simcard etc

I am about to put a 32gb iphone 4 on ebay and saw they were going for around the 100 quid mark. Only weak point seems to be the charge/data socket.

I have an ipod touch in the car with an Alpine IDA-X300 head unit. Just need to synch it when I buy new music

Problem with apple is the sound is crap! You can buy whatever used high capacity apple device you like, it won't improve the sound.I can stick a 128 gb card in my phone and get superior sound. Nuff said.

Say it as you see it (or hear it) matey

Never had that issue to be honest, so either my ears have lost their touch or something else evil is at work.

Whether in the home, or car, the apple devices I have used produce excellent sound quality.

Equipment at home is a NAD T737 which has had various speakers attached during its life including a decent pair of Mission 75s, and cars have got Alpine IDAs with various small mods hanging off them.

Sound quality is very subjective. For every one person who says it is crap, there is one who says it isn't.

I think we differ on what what high capacity means.....

I had a treasured iPod classic 120gb that MrsC bought me in New York. It went missing in one of our many house moves. I can't prove it, but suspect it got left in the cab of the removals truck. The owner remained adamant that it hadn't...
The only downside with the iPod Classic was their reliability.
I never had any issues with the sound quality, though I appear to be pretty deaf.

Not sure we do.

Finding a track or an album on a digital device when driving, when there are thousands of tracks to choose from is akin to using a mobile phone or texting!!! 32gb is more than enough for me for setting up playlists etc for a journey, or the weeks commuting.

I do like having all of my music available digitally, and have a home server with the entire lot on, plus music videos, films etc, which can stream to all the output devices in the house (except the little TV in the kitchen), but for portable music on a train ride, drive, walk etc, too much just makes it take ages to find and select anything

Thats nice, glad it works for you but its not what I asked about though.

Perhaps I should have made it clear but I already have high capacity iphones and ipads and plus a very significant home server but I want something stand alone to put HD and/or lossless music on.

As for use in the car I never mentioned this. I removed the CD changer from mine, and the headunit cd player hasnt been used in 3 years+ of ownership. Only listen to the radio or the V6 Busso in the car.

Anyway might have to take a trip to the shops tomorrow to have a nosey at the Sony players.

Used to have 80GB classic which did die after much use. To be fair the misses 30GB ipod is still going strong after god know how many years. If they were still for sale I would probably just get another but as they're not it seems right to try something a little more special audio wise. The current range of ipods leave me underwhelmed for the price.

Hyper, Sony have a Black Friday sale on this weekend. If you like the machine may be worth checking to see if it's in the sale.

Thanks RK will keep that in mind.

I hoping a few might be reduced

Currently £149 on Sony site. No mention of BF, but it was £169 yesterday.

YeahI think Currys were offering something similar.

Did you try one, Hyper? Sony sold out, and Curry's only available in 1 local store. As I want a black one I have one on order on Amazon (£152) but as they are waiting for stock I can cancel it.

No not yet. Couldn't face going to the shops. Just not that desperate to get one.

I've been having a closer look at the Sansa products that GrahamL mentioned earlier in this thread. There appears to be some pretty good free firmware, and forums suggest that 128Gb cards can be formatted to work.

That means a lot of storage for under £100...

Worth a thought Hyper
Apparently out of stock when you try to checkout.

Well i have taken a punt on a FiiO X1 with 128 GB card. Which is about the same money as the Sony. Will be insterting to experiment with it against an iphone ipad and ipod classic with various headphones and see what difference I can make out....if any.