Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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65 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb sound from a tiny package, 17 Dec 2002
By A Customer
It was going to be a toss up between the iFP180T and the MuVo 128, but the extra facilities (voice recorder, tuner, screen etc) won out in the end. That, and the fact that the MuVo was "unavailable" despite all my efforts to obtain one. I've been very pleasantly surprised by the iRiver job. The sound quality seems (to me) superior to other players I've heard. I use either Sennheiser MX500s or Aiwa HPV-743s, and listen to WMA files ripped at 96 KbPS from CDs. I've had experience of only a few digital players: Iomega's Hipzip, Rio's 600 and the original Creative Labs Jukebox, but I think the iRiver's sound is better. Could this be down to the generous 10 mW output of the amplifier?
Another plus, as far as I was concerned, was the power source being an easily swappable AA battery. Players with built-in chargeable sources have a habit of dying on you at inconvenient times. I found the iRiver was happy using my rechargeable AAs, and it's no hardship to carry a replacement. This might require a slightly fatter player, but just how tiny do you really want them to get?
The 128Mb of flash memory is certainly enough for me, giving two hours or so of WMA files as above. I understand the iFP190T has a full 256Mb, but I wouldn't want to risk dropping a machine that cost more than the £170 the 180T set me back!
Some sort of protective carry case would have been nice, in neoprene with a belt loop perhaps, but the whole ethic behind the machine seems to be hanging it round your neck. It's easily light enough, and it would be a nightmare trying to design a case which would enable you to access the player's controls anyway.
The tuner has a generous 20 presets, and the quality of listening will obviously depend on your headphones (which provide the antenna) and the broadcast signal strength in your area. The stations I like vary wildly between very good, to surprisingly disappointing in reception.
You'll know if you need a voice recorder. Upgrading the firmware to the current spec enabled a choice of recording at three qualities. Obviously there's no built-in speaker; the only playback is via the headphones.
It's vital to read the manual. I found the player easy to use at its most basic, but to control the advanced features with the limited switchgear necessitates some complex and inventive keystrokes. After a few hours' use all becomes clear, and you can "personalise" the player, setting a favourite equalisation or tinkering with the backlight timer, for instance.
At the end of the day it comes down to sound quality - or should. Tracks from Dave Matthews, Madonna and Brian Eno Cds sounded simply stunning, and even some WMAs sourced from old cassettes were a pleasant surprise. The upgradability of the firmware and the possibility of its compatibility with future formats (depending on which way iRiver wants to go), together with the very comprehensive set of features on the player (what else could you possibly want it to do?) make it a very attractive buy - even at the price.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Little device, 9 Dec 2004
I like so many others spent an infuriating period of time deciding on which MP3 player to buy; large hard drive style or small flash? Then which one. Well I bought this lovely little MP3/WMA player a month ago or so and I'm chuffed with it, the sound quality in my opinion is marvellous, but then again I've nothing really to compare it to! The radio is a lovely add on which is of great quality and means that if you get bored of the mp3's you have you can take a break with the radio. I know it's only 128Mb, but this is enough for a couple of albums (128Kbps) and for the commute into work this is more than enough. It also forces me into listening to the other tracks on albums that you never initially like but end up loving, a trait the MP3 is killing off.Plus what I really like about this MP3 player; firmware upgrades. Speaking of which, if you upgrade the firmware, the MP3 player acts as a flashdrive, enabling you to circumvent the software provided to add files. All in all, a great player.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
iRiver - Music Rover, 20 Jan 2005
I had my this MP3 player for Christmas. The sound quality is excellent and the ability to record radio programmes is an excellent facility. The radio stations are as clear as listening to the music that I have downloaded on to it. An all round excellent performer. One very small little moan - the headphones should have been of the "wrap-around" design so that they stay in the ear more easliy
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