Advice on purchase of MP3 player.

[Tex Texson]

Hi everyone,

I come seeking advice about the best option for an MP3 player. I am replacing my old CD player, so portability, although it would be a bonus, is not necessary. I want to be able to put my music onto the device, or onto USB/Flash stick, and play it.


My criteria are:

• Budget: Up to $1000AUD
• Use: Mostly home, occasional travel
• Type/Design: Digital Audio Player, more focused on music (but video would not be unwelcome!)
• Features: Speaker Dock, Gapless, FM radio tuner, Ability to play multiple formats (especially FLAC and WAV), Ability to play music from USB stick or flash memory, Easy navigation through an extensive album list. Discrete/streamline design
• Display: Display or no display and rough size
• UI/Controls: Touch and Remote Control. A nice UI would be very welcome!

Many thanks

[CrowdAds]

[cartelps11]

Cowon J3 Dude! Has most of the controls except remote and play music from USB stick.

(correct me if wrong).

[Tex Texson]

Thanks, that is the one I was primarily looking at. I couldn't find anything about a speaker dock for it though. Is there one?

[Olley]

Any bluetooth capable dock would work.

[nodirectionhome]

The only devices I know with the ability to play from a usb stick (usb-on-the-go) are the Nokia N8 and I think one other Nokia phone.

[cartelps11]

Well the majority of the PMP coming from china have the OTG feature, just they are more video orientated than music.

[Tex Texson]

Thanks for all the replies. I am currently considering either the Cowon J3 or the Logitech Squeezebox Touch at the moment.

[Olley]

The new Archos tablets support external storage via their USB Host ports. Requires a special cable, and not every USB memory stick works. Depends on how much power they draw. They are available with 2.8, 3.2, 4.3, 7.0, and 10.1 inch screens. All basically have the same android OS, but loose features as they get smaller.

No FM radios though.

[Tex Texson]

Essentially, I am after a setup something like

http://appliances.pubks.com/Ilive-21...od-Dock-It188b

Except with something that can receive FM and play FLAC/WAV

[Tex Texson]

Just as a followup to this, I went with the Squeezebox touch, and I am loving it. My only complaint is that the performance can be a touch sluggish when using it with only an USB stick with a lot of tracks on, but otherwise it's awesome.

[McDougal]

Cowon J3 is my vote

[Tex Texson]

It was a very close choice, but the lack of a recharging station (that I was able to see) for the J3 tipped it in favour of the logitech. If mobility was an issue, then it would have been the J3 for sure, but more than anything, I wanted something to replace my previous, archaic cd player.