I already own a 20GB iPod, but I’m looking for a smaller protable MP3 player with built-in flash memory (i.e. not iPod or iPod Mini type). Memory capacity around 256 - 512 MB, with good sound quality. Preferable those with neck strap or with arm band. Any experience with good recommendation?  :wink:

Many thanks! Cheers!  :D

Patrick

Obviously I am a Sony whore and use their “older” Network Walkman which uses Magic Gate Memory Sticks.  Similar to MP3 (ATRAC), and comes with software for converting.  I am very happy with it.  The new version is the NW-MS70D, which is even smaller , has 256mb internal memory and uses Memory Stick Pro Duo (up to 512mb for now).  That is quite a bit for a unit as small as the MS70D.  It might be worth looking at.

http//www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start;sid=hojgcTZHulLgaHYqvfbqenlJSf1kNE_0gw4=?CategoryName=pa_DigitalMusicPlayers_Network&ProductSKU=NWMS70D&Dept=pa

I would be all over those Network Mp3 Players if you could just drag and drop your Mp3s, I don’t like converting them…

Erik

I have the MS70D and absolutely love it -it goes just about everywhere with me.  Converting the MP3’s to ATRAC is a pain admittedly, but worth it once you realise how good the sound quality is and how much more it will allow you to fit on the device.  At 64kbps ATRAC, and using an extra 128mb memory stick, I have about 16 CD’s on my player at once.  Sure, an iPod carries a lot more than that, but realistically how many CD’s do you really listen to at once?!  :D

There’s also an MS90D now which I think is only out in Japan, but has 512mb built in memory.  It’s also black instead of silver in colour, but I prefer the ‘bare’ titanium look of the 70D.

Get one - you won’t regret it.

Many thanks for your comments guys!  :D I’m really tempted to get the Sony one… However, anyone else here has experience in other type of players besides the Sony one?

Patrick

I use the iRock MP3 player and find it very nice. I just compared its size to a credit card and was certainly smaller than that which would mean its smaller than the iPod mini.

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10358284&loc=101&sp=1

I have the 128 mb one..I really lucked out with buy.com..they had some price mistake..instead of 95.99 they had listed it for 5.99 that too with free shipping !!

The 128 mb one has USB 1.1..dunno abt the 256 mb one..although the buy.com website mentions High-speed downloading via USB so i guess it has USB 2.0. The sound quality was also excellent and they also include a leather case for the player and a neck strap which is what u also want the player to have.

I’ve also got an image of my irock sitting directly on top of my credit card :

have a look at iRiver products. i have the iFP-390T, the sound quality is better than my iPod imo.