MP3/CD Players: Experiences/recommendations?

[Sofun]

All right, after much thought considering MiniDisc, HD Mp3 players, MP3CD players, a new CD burner, or Flash-based MP3 CD playeres, i think im going for an MP3CD Player.

BUT, there are so many to choose from, price is a HUGE factor in my decision.

Im gonna use this mainly at school, in my bag usually walking from/to class or during my study block, or in the car (A remote is a huge necessity for this function, as I put the player inside the armrest, and let the remote dangle out for easy reach)

I've narrowed it down to four:
iRiverSlimX
iRiverChromeX
Philips eXpanium 103 (Car kit)
Rio Volt SP90

The obvious choice would be the SlimX, but the price is just out of my range. I originally had this player in mind when i was thinking of MP3CD player, but I thought about it and I just wouldn't be able to plunk down over $200 on an MP3 CD Player (unless i had like ALOT, and $230CAD seemed like $100CAD), no matter how good.

I'm favouring the iRiver ChromeX from its design, its remote, upgradeable firmware, and its rep of its older brother.

The Philips eXpanium got pretty good reviews when it came out, but the size/look of it is too bulky, and fugly. The car kit is nice, so i dont have to use batteries. The price is right too.

The Rio Volt SP90 is pretty good overall, but the major issues of quality (flimys build, and easily damaged if dropped) have steered me away. I had also thought about the SP100, but i didnt know if it was much different than the SP90 except for the ability to upgrade the firmware without hacking it.

Here's a chart i made (the prices in the parentheses are in Canadian dollars, and the multiplier on the far left is how important the feature is to me ie. 5 is very important, 1 is not):

iRiver SlimX:
5x Price: 0 ($235)
3x Features: 5
3x Battery: 5 (23hrs)
1x Cool: 5
4x Quality: 5
2x Skip: 5 (8 mins)
3x Portability: 5
Total: 80

iRiver ChromeX:
5x Price: 4 ($140)
3x Features: 4.5
3x Battery: 4 (16hrs)
1x Cool: 4
4x Quality: 3
2x Skip: 4 (120Secs)
3x Portability: 4
Total: 81.5

Philips eXpanium 103:
5x Price: 5 ($109)
3x Features: 3
3x Battery: 3 (10 hours)
1x Cool: 2
4x Quality: 3
2x Skip: 4 (100secs)
3x Portability: 3
Total: 74

Rio Volt SP90:
5x Price: 4.5 ($133)
3x Features: 4
3x Battery: 4 (15 hrs)
4x Cool: 3
4x Quality: 2
2x Skip: 4 (120 secs)
3x Portability: 2 (Due to its fragility, and issues with skip protection)
Total: 80.5

Anybody have any experiences with these? Also recommendations for other MP3 CD players priced around $100-$130USD would be nice

[LinkDJ]

I just finished reviewing the iRiver SlimX. I highly reccomend it! You'll be able to read the review shortly.

And there are no control features wasted on the device itself. The main major way to control the device is through the remote, which is very great, powerful, and good. There are even seperate hold switches for the unit and the remote.

Oh, and you can find the slimx for $150 USD

[plucker]

I really love my Sony D-CJ01!

http://www.3dnews.ru/documents/5063/Sony-008.jpg

[neuroking]

Ditto on the SlimX. I love mine.

I had a Rio Volt 100. The load time was better than the iRiver, but it had more problems with playing mp3s than the iRiver.

[Ioman]

BTW, iRiver used to make the RioVolt CD players and probably still do. I would go to eBay or use dealtime.com to find a SLimX in your price range if that is the player you really want to use.

[neuroking]

That's weird since they really had a vast difference in loading times. I'm talking early instantaeous vs.6-7 seconds to load a new cd. maybe differnt drive mechanisms.