Buying an MP3 Player

[Sir Topham Hatt]

So I had a Creative something or other at a massive 40GB many years ago. This eventually broke so I got a Creative Zen Micro (4Gb version). I loved this MP3 player with an absolute passion, but needed some money so I sold it.

Now I have been looking at getting a new one. I want a simple, but nice one. Again, I have been looking at Creative and their Zen Stone or Zen as I don't need anything expensive, just something I can keep with me when I am out taking photos or practicing drums.

I don't want an iPod or a Zune. I'm not really a fan of those that include video as I will be listening to music, not watching a movie on a minute screen :p I know the Zen comes with video playback, but the size (it looks rather thin) is worth paying the extra for. But then the Stone is tiny anyway :) To be honest, I think I am going to get the Zen Stone, but I am open to suggestions.

I am also worried that I will buy this relatively old player today and then in a few weeks or months there will be a sudden change of players and the memory will be seriously updated, as in you'll be able to get the same player with a 40 or 60GB memory store in a few months? That's why I put that MP3 players don't seem to be that great these days. When I got my Zen Micro, it was all new and 4GB then was loads of space, but things don't seem to have improved, everything looks to be all video and photo rar rar, lol.

The last point is headphones. I have been a fan of these in ear type for a long time. I shelled out over ?50 when Sony first released them and was astounded how they literally blocked out all surrounding noise so all I heard was pure music from the player. However, I am looking at getting another set for when I am at home on my PC. Any ideas?

Thanks for any input.

Peter

[+Fahim S. MVC]

Buy from these guys, I have had nothing but praise for them.

It sounds as though you are comparing 8Gb player with 40Gb players - how much capacity do you need?

The Zen is a good player, but also consider the iRiver L-Player (tiny but very cool), SanDisk Sansa Fuze (very nice because they are expandable with MicroSD), iPod Nano (they are alright) and Cowon (more expensive but have a great sound).

[.tony]

I've got a Samsung K3, great player if all you need is Music. Comes with JPEG viewer, but on an OLED screen, I wouldn't recommend it.

[Sir Topham Hatt]

Hmm, I'll take a look at those.

I have since found out the Zen Stone isn't available (new) anymore from Amazon, so looks like I will start the search again :)

Nice site though!

[.tony]

Also for head/earphones, another pair of Creative EP-630 would be good, if you're looking for a bit more performance, then maybe some Sennheiser CX300's? Whatever you get, I'd suggest using the better ones for the player rather than the PC.