How good is the sound driver?

[daver]

Hi all,

Well, my discman finally broke down on me, after 4 years of non-stop usage. I've considered many options to replace the discman: MP3 Player, MD Player, or one of those MP3 Discmans. However, Memory Sticks are getting pretty cheap now, and I was thinking maybe I could make use of my TJ37.

I was wondering how good the sound driver on the TJ's are. Is it good enough to pass as a real MP3 player? (i was considering the iPOD, but i can't dish out that kinda money right now, so i'm trying to stick to my budget.)

Here's the thing though, I'm one of those people who have to have good quality sound. All my MP3's are ripped directly from CD, and no lower than 192 kbps. The rest are all 256-360 kbps, and WAV files.

Is it worth the $$$ for the memory stick, or should i just get something else? Also, how badly does it drain the batteries?

What do you guys think?

daver

[scottw03]

I have used my TJ37 for an MP3 Player but I only get about 3-4 hrs of playing. I bought the USB sync charger for the car and for home charging so I always have one with me. Anytime I get a chance I charge it. I recently bought a 1Gb MS Pro for about $155. Works pretty good with watching movies. I use my 256Mb MS now for holding my MP3s. And I usually have them encoded at 128kbps. If you get the upgraded version of Aeroplayer it has an equalizer, bass boost, and you can increase the decibles from 0 to +6, +12, and +18. I used to use a IPAQ 3650 for an MP3 Player so this isn't much different. Works just as good and much thinner. Otherwise I like the Creative Nomad MuVo since it can double as a thumb drive. I have the older version 128Mb one without a screen but the new ones are nice. Works well for working out and runs on one AAA battery for like 12 hrs.

[Cyker]

Quality of all Clie's MP3 playback is excellent. Main downsides are the amount of MP3s you can store (Unless you use the whole memorystick!), and play time (Due to battery life).

The only PDA out at the moment (Not just PalmOS, but *any*) which you could use as an audio player all day without worrying about batterylife is really the TH55...

[daver]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Now for another question:
How good is the sound output compared to a discman? I've heard that MP3 playback is better with PalmOne PDA's. Is this true?

If possible, could someone provide me with some technical specs (ohms, dB, Hz, etc.) of the driver?

Thanks in advance,

daver

[athlon64]

I recently bought a 1Gb MS Pro for about $155.

I would like to know where and how. Thanks.

[scottw03]

Actually I think I got it here at Mwave.com but it looks like they lowered their price to $133 but it is out of stock until October 15th (estimated arrival). But hey if you can wait the 16 days it is a good price.

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=3396377

I can fit atleast Out of Time and The Chronicles of Riddick on it at the same time along with some misc. stuff. So I am happy with it.

[scottw03]

daver

Sorry forgot to read above the last post. I have the Aeroplayer 5.0B3 and I have the settings at DSP "off", and the Settings/Playback at "Background playback" checked and "Volume Overdrive" at +6dB. Works great for me on my TJ37. Hope that was what you were looking for.

[daver]

Hey guys,

thanks for all your replies.

scottw03: those weren't the exact specs i meant, but those were coming up anyways, cuz i wanted to know how badly, if at all, the db boost would distort sound.

However, i've just made my decision to get one of those MP3 Discmans, so i can still use my many CDs (let it be known that 'many' is an understatement, and when i mean understatement, i REALLY mean it.)
I figured that getting a MS would be too expensive since the Discman itself would cost less.

Thanks anyways guys.

daver

[rodan]

Hmm..

Have you guys ever used the "hold" position on the power switch while listening to mp3's? I used my TJ-37 and Aeroplayer to listen to mp3s for over 4hrs and was only down to 67% Battery.

Used it last night on a long drive and back around 2hrs. usage and still at 80% battery. Figure shutoff at 15%, so that would equate to around 8.5-10hrs of playback - Ipod territory.

BTW the "hold" position turns off the screen - but the mp3s play on, I have Aeroplayer set for background playing - don't know if that is relevent.

[TJ37]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Now for another question:
How good is the sound output compared to a discman? I've heard that MP3 playback is better with PalmOne PDA's. Is this true?

If possible, could someone provide me with some technical specs (ohms, dB, Hz, etc.) of the driver?

Thanks in advance,

daver

I would say it's about as great as any MP3 player. Battery life might not be as great though compared to mini MP3's now that can last 24 hours on a single AAA battery. If you are looking foward to buying one, I suggest you go with Aeroplayer (best sound quality) or Pocket-Tunes (more features and options such as ShoutCAST streams over WiFi, etc.). For your case though, you better have a pretty big MS to store music of that size, or you wont be listening to a whole lot.