The ONLY choice
Written: May 29 '02
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Pros: Does everything AS ADVERTISED, without fail. And it's firmware upgradeable!
Cons: The window of my remote got scratched, which was my fault. Otherwise, flawless.
The Bottom Line: Has all the features of the competitors, and does them better. Then, it throws in a truckload of other features, and does those well too. Great sound, great player!!
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| timpicks's Full Review: iRiver iMP-350 SlimX Personal CD Player |
I've owned my SlimX iMP-350 for over a month, and I couldn't be happier with the purchase. I rarely splurge on toys that I'm not sure I'll use often enough, but since owning this little gem, I'm listening to music all the time. In fact, I take it nearly everywhere I go, in case I feel the urge to pop in an album...or ten.
This incredible display of technology shows other MP3-player vendors what can be done when you throw a little pride in your work. Move over Nomad, because the iRiver does everything you do better, plus a whole lot more.
Plusses:
Never skips - never never.
FM Radio - awesome sound, 20 presets.
Remembers where you left off on the last TEN CD's you played. This is GREAT when you want to switch discs but want to pick up where you left off on the old ones.
Shuffle mode (both in and out of the current directory), repeat mode, random play, supports WinAmp playlists...the options for variation are endless.
Firmware upgradeable, so new media types can (and will) be supported. iRiver is providing a lot of effort into keeping this player up-to-date. This is the company that makes the Rio, remember, so they're no fly-by-night operation. I can't wait until .ape is supported!
Reads every type of media I've thrown into it - TDK, Verbatim and Maxell CD-R's, and some really cheap Pacific Digital CDRW's that my computer didn't even like at first.
Sturdy (metal lid), thin, and very lightweight.
Remote has too many features to list - but it's SO easy to use. My favorite is the sleep timer, so I can listen to old-time radio as I'm falling asleep. I plug some computer speakers into the Line Out slot, stick em on my night stand, and set the sleep timer. Love it!
Battery life is outstanding - I've never worried about running out of juice, nor have I come close. And I use this thing at work every day. At night I plug it in to the wall with the AC Adapter, and it charges as I listen.
It's so COOL looking!
I'm leaving out a ton of other great things -- iRiver has thought of EVERYTHING. There's nothing I've ever found myself saying "gee, I wish it had..."
Minuses:
Hard to find any, but on two separate occasions I got a "No Media" display, meaning it couldn't read the CDRW I had in the player. No worries though, because all I did was power down and back up (didn't have to open the player, blow on the disc, or any of that), and it recognized it fine. Again, I did use cheap CDRW media, so no surprise.
Ease of Use gets a "4" because you DO need the remote to operate the more complex functions of the player. Small price to pay, since I LOVE the remote. Someone here said you couldn't switch from FM radio to the CDPlayer without the remote -- FYI, that's wrong. You can switch just fine. But some of the really advanced stuff requires the remote. If you're not a remote person...well, that's still not a reason to forego buying this player.
Also, I scratched the plastic face of the remote pretty quickly, but it's my fault. My suggestion? Apply a piece of clear scotch tape that you can read the display through. When it gets beat up, put a new piece of tape on, and your remote will stay good looking forever.
Bottom Line:
This is one great MP3 player. If you're looking for a CD MP3 player (or even if you're looking at the hard drive MP3 players), this is the best on the market. Have you read the reviews at ZDNet, CNet, and every other review site on the web? They're all raving about the SlimX, and for once, I agree with every one of them!
I matched my SlimX with some Sennheiser HD-495 headphones I got on special for $46 at buy.com (read the review of these phones at www.headphone.com). Together the pair will best the average home stereo! (Audiophiles, we know your $10,000 stereos sound better, but for us regular joes, the SlimX and a good set of headphones is bliss!)
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 174
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Epinions.com ID:
timpicks
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Reviews written: 1
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