Excellent player with many features
Written: Nov 17 '03 (Updated Nov 17 '03)
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Pros: MP3&WMA, FM tuner, good sound, easy to operate, clear LCD, downloadable firmware, good batteries
Cons: Potentially confusing battery recharge
The Bottom Line: No problems, great features, upgradeable - would buy again without hesitating. Used as meant (meaning not leaving in rain or dropping off roof, etc.) it's a very sturdy, reliable product.
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| xpxalot's Full Review: Rio Volt SP250 Personal CD Player |
I have loved this player! I've had it for 2 years now, and I haven't got a single bad thing to say about it. I don't have a lot of comparisons, so I don't know if other players might have better sound (I can't complain about the sound on this one) or faster loading time (first song loads in probably 10 seconds, and all subsequent songs load/play immediately).
QUICK POSITIVES:
*Can play regular music CDs or burned CDs (CD-R, CD-RW)
*Supports MP3 and WMA formats.
*Burning MP3 files to CD gives hours & hours of music.
*Supports 700 MB discs, giving 80 minutes for traditional music files and generally 150-175 MP3 songs (at 128 bitrate)
*Rechargeable batteries charge in player – never forget them or lose them!
*Car accessory for use without headphones in vehicle
*LCD with clear display
*Wired remote for basic features
I can’t say enough good things about this player. I haven’t had a moment of trouble with it. The only reason I mentioned the battery recharge issue as a con is because that is the only thing that I can come up with that comes close to a con! It can be frustrating if I’m in a hurry because there are specific steps you have to take, and if you rush through, it shuts off rather than recharging. But that’s operator error, not machine.
I take mine with me all the time. I’m worse than the kids! It’s with me in the car, on the plane, working around the house, working in the yard, walking, wherever. It beats the regular MP3 players and regular CD players because it gives you the best of both. I have close to two hundred songs on one CD-R. I can take just 2 or 3 CDs with me and have any music I’m in the mood for. You can divide the songs by albums, genre, any category you like. The player will shuffle through each folder or play only select folders that you program it to play. So you can play one album, all rock, all blues, all Christmas, several different albums (in order or shuffled), any combination you can think of.
I like having the FM tuner, too. I don’t use it nearly as much (commercials!) but have enjoyed having the option. We’ve picked up a ball game, listened to the news, things like that, so it’s handy to have.
I bought a case to keep the player in with the CDs and all the accessories (DC plug, car plug (purchased separately), remote, 2 sets of earphones (earbuds and folding headphones; both come with the player), car cassette adapter), but the case that comes with it is great for regular use. It’s more like a protective case like one might get for a cell phone or camera, and it has a loop for a belt and an adjustable strap. You can access all the buttons while the case is on the player, read the LCD, and use all the features. You can put the player on your belt and use the wired remote, convenient while exercising or working outdoors.
I haven’t had much trouble with skipping. A few times when I’ve accidentally knocked it hard, it has skipped a second of the song, but generally it has been ideal. Even over railroad tracks and other road obstacles, it hasn’t faltered.
I just installed the newest firmware today (available at the Rioaudio.com website under support, downloads), but I already like the new backlight options on the LCD. That would have been one of the cons listed (the backlight went off too soon), but the firmware fixed that problem. It now has the options on, on for 3 seconds, on for 10 seconds, or off. I like the fact that the machine can be upgraded like this. You go to the Rioaudio site, download the newest firmware, burn the appropriate file to CD, stick it in the player, and in seconds, you have your upgrade. The only upgrade was put out about the time I got my player, but I never downloaded it. Never worried about it. But in looking for a new player for my son (he has the SP100, which someone broke for him!) I decided to check out how good Rio’s upgrades were. I upgraded my daughter’s SP100, too. So far, so good on both of them.
I can be kind of hard to please in that I often wish for additional features on most things I own. As I said, I haven’t got experience with any other brand of CD-MP3 player, but I haven’t wished for any features on this that it doesn’t offer. That might be a first for me! I like it so much that I bought speakers that plug into the headphone jack, and I use them all the time. Stereo? Do I still have one of those?!?!
I could go into more specifics, but some of the other reviews already have all the pertinent details. I am just thrilled with mine, and even looking at new models and the fact that they are thinner, lighter, and “cooler” looking, I am reluctant to let go of my SP250. It has proven itself. My son might end up with a used SP250 from a reliable online auction. It seems hard to beat.
PRICE
Now the prices are pretty reasonable, but good luck finding one. They are out there, but it seems there are few of them compared to other models. Amazon doesn’t have any listed. eBay has just a few here & there, and they are popular auctions. I think we paid about $190, including shipping, for mine, and that was right when it came out. We had purchased some for the kids, the SP100s, and the 250s weren’t out. A month later, I said I wanted one, went online, and there was the 250. That was from Rio’s site, too, so I’m sure the price went down when it was available everywhere.
Just a note
The kids’ SP100s have been fine. They don’t have all the features, the carrying case pretty much stinks, and they load a bit slower, but they have been sturdy & reliable. I just put that here to show 2 years of reliability with three separate Rio players.
(Also, Consumer Reports rates them well in their 2002 report, which I just read this week while searching for a replacement for the broken SP100.)
Buy with confidence & ENJOY!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 180
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Epinions.com ID:
xpxalot
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Too many passions, too little time
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