[FlameGrilled]

Size is only an issue, with CDP's, if the whole object of the exercise of going to compressed audio is for a smaller/less bulky deck than a conventional CDP.

However, unless you are dealing with first-gen designs (the ones that mirrored style, bulk and size of decks pre to the whole iMP series), then all MP3 CDP's are relatively low impact on bulk and compact in size.

Hell, even the 250 is depth of three slimline cd jewel cases (at worst) and a few mm wider (worst case) than a CD disc - it's only at the extended portion of hinge of the clamshell it's breaking up the compact look.

The 350 looks more compact, to my eyes, than the 400 - and the 350 is a slimmer 250 size with the appropriate style change to remote-orientated use.

The 550 is around the same kind of size/bulk profile as my current 'most loved' toy, the D-NE1, and weight is about the same.

My duff 250 experiences (x4) represent, rememeber, excessive and totally unsuited out-of-spec use of them - so the very fact they ran 100% stable til the spindle failures set in, is a testament to design and engineering.

No.5, the last 250 i bought for strictly personal use, was probably one of the last of the ending manufacture and it definately demonstrates why iRiver won their rep in the CDP department. Where would the 350/400/550 series be today, if the 250 (the original flagship deck) and it's oler relatives hadn't demonstrated that all the intended qualities were practical and cost-effective to manufacture..??

No, i really dont see any disadvantage to a CDP - that's why when the 250 got replaced.. i went for another CDP.. i just had to find an iRiver 550 to suit or a damn near equal quality subby.

Capacity - nah, 700Mb CD's aint a storage limit - a good case can hold around 10 CD's with ease (the old iMP-250 case could, actually) - 10x700Mb (damn near 7Gb in total) for around <25p per disc (retail - get them where i do, and the price hits 5p per disc) is still a capacity over cost ratio you'll be pushed to beat.

If rapid exchangability of content is important - the CDP is the king of the hill. If you dont change content much, but want years worth of back-to-back duration, the HDD unit is king.

Battery life still keeps the CDP in the running, as it's close to flash player performance - HDD's are getting better in that respect, but ther load pattern on the power source is definately not yet suited to ultra efficiency on battery endurance.

Damage - you sentiments are one of the best reasonings for CDP's, on a purely practical level - that a CDP that get's dropped is fixable.. but probably cheaper and better to simply replace.

As an iMP-400 user, you know that if your's meets an untimely end... you can replace it for cheaper than you originally paid for.. without even having to dip a tentative paw intot the world of alternative models.

The CDP's last and final 'nail in the coffin' killing blow to player features.. is it's total free-play lack of OS requirement. Since ISO 9660/Level 2 is common now, all CDP's are totally OS independent when it comes to firmware upgrades and disc writing software compatibility.

There is not one HDD or flash deck that is guaranteed, despite the wonders of UMS connectivity, that's guaranteed to be recognised and bi-directionally accessed on any USB supporting computer regardless of OS and which core code the OS used to provide USB control.

CDP's, get yer butts up to the top of the hill and guard that well deserved KOTH challenge win...

FG