MP3 player without too many whizbangs?

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › MP3 player without too many whizbangs?

geekIT

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#233538 20-Apr-2018 14:38

Need this for walking, gyming, so it needs to be light.

Micro SD card capable, regular headphone port.

Rechargeable.

Don't need Bluetooth, Camera, Internet, Phone, Social media involvement. Just a music player is all.

But I would like a screen, so I can see and select from my music library.

Via effective and uncomplicated controls.

Is this possible for around $250?

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#1999859 20-Apr-2018 14:47

they dont sell them much anymore , the cheap android phones have taken over the mp3 market as they sell for around $50.

but maybe something like this

https://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?r=p&partid=27894

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jonathan18

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#1999869 20-Apr-2018 15:07

If you want this separate from your phone, what about... another phone? Get a not-too-slow mobile, remove all unnecessary apps, stick on some decent music apps and music files, use a basic launcher... whether the device has unnecessary features like a camera is surely irrelevant if you just don’t use them?

The advantages include the ability to use multiple sources (eg local files or downloaded Spotify), and to play the music on other devices via Bluetooth, Chromecast etc. the main disadvantage is battery life, but I’m sure if you disabled all unnecessary apps and services it’ll be better than running a normal phone...

Sam91

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#1999877 20-Apr-2018 15:16

You don't need to spend anywhere near $250.

Secondhand iPod Nano - internal storage though

If you go this route, try to go for the recent generations and ask about the battery performance.

Super cheap sd card mp3 player - no screen though

A few dollars...

Cheap nano style mp3 player - internal storage though

Does what you want, but the user experience looks a bit clunky based on YouTube reviews.

timbosan

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#1999879 20-Apr-2018 15:25

Sony still sell Walkmans - https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/walkman-digital-music-players/t/walkman

vexxxboy

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#1999897 20-Apr-2018 15:58

timbosan:

Sony still sell Walkmans - https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/walkman-digital-music-players/t/walkman

they do but they are really expensive for what they do,

Common sense is not as common as you think.

mattwnz

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#1999925 20-Apr-2018 17:02

IMO an ipod nano is probably the best solution for what you want even though you have to use itunes to sync your music library, but a pity apple stopped selling them. Maybe they will bring them back eventually. An apple watch is also an option as the cheaper ones are around that price. But you need an iphone as well to sync music with it.

How big do you want it? I purhcased a really cool little radio from overseas, that has an micro SD card reader music player built in. But it is sort of walkman size. That used to be small, but these days it isn't so small. The mp3 player menus though aren't as user friendly to use as an ipod.

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timbosan

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#1999926 20-Apr-2018 17:06

vexxxboy:

timbosan:

Sony still sell Walkmans - https://www.sony.co.nz/electronics/walkman-digital-music-players/t/walkman

they do but they are really expensive for what they do,

$80 is not that expensive, and its way under the $250 budget the OP specified. Plus you get local warranty.

However the Hi-Res one really does blow the budget at $950!

mattwnz

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#1999933 20-Apr-2018 17:29

timbosan:

$80 is not that expensive, and its way under the $250 budget the OP specified. Plus you get local warranty.

However the Hi-Res one really does blow the budget at $950!

Only 4GB though for $80. They can't have updated the model for years. Just buying a really cheap android phone that has an SD slot and running google music is probably the cheapest option these days for something that is also easy to use. IN the USA they seem to have newer models at https://www.sony.com/electronics/walkman-digital-music-players/t/walkman . Although they also have one that is over $3000, for an HD walkman. I wonder how many of those they sell. Importing maybe the only option

tukapa1

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#2000136 21-Apr-2018 08:31

Have you had a look at the FiiO range?

The X1 or the X3.

blackjack17

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#2000160 21-Apr-2018 09:17

What about Bluetooth headphones?

I have a pair of mpow cheetah from AliExpress. Around $20. I just leave my phone in my bag and can walk all around the gym. Bonus is no cords to get tangled.

http://www.bestbluetoothearbuds.net/mpow-cheetah-review/

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tdgeek

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#2000161 21-Apr-2018 09:21

iPod Classic. Not sold now but are on Trademe. Wife and I had one each, big storage, screen, easy to use.

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geekIT

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#2000360 21-Apr-2018 17:17

Thanks, guys - you've all been most helpful :-)

The FiiO X1 2nd Gen. looks pretty good at $159. Plus it has Bluetooth, which could be useful. I have some Harmon Kardon cans which I've been using with a Samsung tablet.

Anybody had experience with this FiiO model?

Re the TradeMe Nano's, the cheaper ones all look a bit beat-up, even when they get up to, and beyond, the FiiO price.

Ali Express has heaps of cheapies, of course, but unless someone here can recommend a quality model that works properly, I think I'd be better off to buy the FiiO locally and minimize warranty problems.

Re the old phone suggestion, I have an unused Huawei Y300 (Spark). But unless I can root it and dump all the gratuitous junk (plus the Spark stuff) I don't see it being of much use.

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tukapa1

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#2000514 22-Apr-2018 08:05

I don't have any personal experience with the FiiO range but they always seem to review pretty well, especially the value for money of the X1.

I was looking at an X3 but can't really justify the purchase as my S7 does a pretty good job at the moment.

geekIT

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#2000557 22-Apr-2018 11:52

Blackjack17: Can you tell me which outlet you bought your earbuds from, please?

There are several options on this page with different prices.

Cheers :-)

https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20180421154248&SearchText=MPOW+cheetah

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blackjack17

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#2000703 22-Apr-2018 16:55

I got this one Back in November 2016. Still working well. It doesn't seem to fit in my ears as well as it did but that is probably a good thing as when out running it doesn't block the background noise. And for the price I can replace it half a dozen times for the price of one name brand one.

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