Rio Carbon 5Gb MP3 HDD Player Silver

Compared to the ipod mini, you get 1gig more space, a plug and play interface (just plug it into any computer with win 2000+ and transfer files in explorer), a 20 hour battery (2.5x apples battery life at least), better sound quality (I think anyway) and the list goes on. Better compatibility with audio formats (MP3, WMA, WAV), can use loads of music stores, not just crummy iTunes, a better navigation system (the touch sensitive everything is annoying on the ipods). The wheel on the carbon is great, as you can just change volume like that. It's also more stylish I think, and will show that you're not a clone who has to get an ipod.

Other players are good, but just don't compare, with the Creative muvo2 having an awful navigation system, and the zen micro again going the all touch sensitive route (even for volume). The iriver H10 is the closest to it, but it's a lot more expensive, and has very buggy firmware. Some players may be decent, but are double the size of the carbon (another one of its huge advantages). If more space is essential to you though, I suggest the rio karma, which is amazing value, playback, sound and navigation.

Overall, this is a great little player, which is very easy to use, and you won't regret buying it! There aren't that many accessories for it, but there are great custom cases (mindknob, vaja etc.) which protect it and make it look even cooler!

The good thing here is that I was able to compare the sound between the Ipod & the Rio, there's not much in it, but the Carbon wins in my opinion. The sound was fuller, with richer bass but without compromising on the overall presentation of the music. Music on the Rio seemed to be superior and 'nicer' to listen to. I know portable music players play tunes by compressing the original CD track, but comparing the original CD with the Ipod and then the Rio, I think most of you would agree (if you carried out the same test) that the Rio is nearer to the original music which is what I was after - so I bought one!

The player itself is tiny and fits nicely into the palm. I didn't even bother installing the software, just used Explorer and drag & droped files onto the player, simple.

The menu system is really good and simple to use.

I ripped all my CD's at 192Kbps using Windows Media Audio because it does sound better than MP3. MP3 is getting a bit old now and it does show compared to Apple's ACC format & WMA. Please try and use 192 Kbps though, you will get a better, more detailled and richer sound. Yes it does take up more space, but I still have over 800 tracks on the player.

Rio have done an excellent job at hitting back at Apple with a superior player to challenge even the new Ipod 6GB! I just wish more people weren't sheep and follow the latest trends.

If you're after an MP3 player because you appreciate excellent quality sound and don't mind not being able to put your whole music collection on one player, don't follow the crowd and line Apple's pockets, give the Rio Carbon a try, after all, they have been making MP3 players for a long time & know what they're doing.

Oh yeah, and if you really like decent sounds, buy a pair of Shure E2c headphones, they sound fantastic!