Quote:
Originally Posted by jumbuck
^^^Well spoken.^^^
It would seem that somewhere along the track the manurfactures have lost sight of what a music playing device's primary purpose is.....
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YES! We've gone far too long without a decent
barista function!
Sweet makes very good points, indeed. However, the trend seems to be toward
convergent devices that allow the mfr. to place unnecessary restrictions on the end-user (we used to be called "customers") to try to lock them into brand loyalty as opposed to giving customers great value in reasonably simple devices, thereby
encouraging brand loyalty. I don't want a phone/DAP/GPS/mini computer/camera/remote/etc. If one of the functions goes out, I would be SOL. However, as I have a phone, a camera and a DAP (OK, a few DAPs), if my phone goes kaput, I can replace it easily with another one of my choice, yet still have my other gadgets.
Sandisk seems to be following a business model in the DAP arena I wish iRiver had taken. They now have developed three distinct DAPs suitable for the various uses people have for them: the Clip for those who want a very basic but quality music player; the new Fuze, which is described as primarily a music player, and; the View, their video DAP. All have integrated micro-SD support, various capacities, drag-n-drop, and reportedly great sound quality. Obviously, they aren't perfect (no gapless) but offer great features at more than reasonable prices.
As to gapless...well, it can't be that damnably hard: Rio got that straight away (mind the HD, though
). Even Apple's new gens can do it, though it still requires iTunes to do so. While I love my Classic, the fact I need proprietary software, proprietary cables, and am forced to use a reasonably new computer makes it
far less likely I'll replace it with another Apple product.
Again, though, I'm afraid the iPhone might be what designers are shooting for: an all-in-one device that does several things OK, but not brilliantly. I'd prefer DAP designers decide to offer a good quality value-priced DAP (such as the Sansa Clip), a high end model (such as the View) and one that splits the difference (Fuze). Someone at Sansa has been reading various DAP-enthusiast fora, it seems. I know when my e280 finally needs replacing, I'm gonna give Sansa DAPS strong consideration.
If iRiver irons a few things out with theE100, they may well be onto something. With a better DAC, it could become the flash-version of the H100. then, the Clix could become the higher end video/music DAP, then they could develop a more entry level, smaller capacity DAP to introduce people to iRiver quality.
I still have a soft spot in my heart for iRiver as the H320 was my first DAP. Had iRiver had a presence at BB, I would've quite possibly stuck with the brand. Should the next gen e100 show improvements, iRiver will once again be a top contender for my money as the expandable memory and line-in recording capability (though inexplicably hamstrung, ATM) are steps BACK in the right direction for them.
And Jeff: Expect a l'il summin* in yer PMs.......
No, it ain't pics, you filthy pervies! SS, Jumbuck, Step, mixing, LM--I am totally lookin' your way!