Best mp3 player ?

[KCAA]

I got my ipod from the freemp3player site and love it so far.

I just wondered what you guys thought was the best mp3player out there, regardless of flash or hdd based.

My decision was between an ipod and an Iriver.

Your thoughts?

[lue]

iPod, no question. The simple layout is very appealing, and it's the most compact of all the hard drive mp3 players out there.

[Mr. SunburnMan]

I think the Sony HardDrive player is actually smaller than the Ipod. But I think it also doesn't play MP3s, so it's technically not a mp3 player.

I'd say the Iriver Hsomething is probably better bang for the buck, but I went for the Ipod because of the automatic ID3 tag sorting, its simple UI and its size. Oh and the general availability of accessories as well, in case I ever need them.

[Norrec]

I personally am not into the whole iPod scene. I have friend with iPod minis and 20GB ones, but I don't see myself too interested in them.
I usually use my Sony discman, plays MP3 and Atrac3plus, which is supposed to have comparible sound quality with smaller size.. But for christmas I'm getting a HI-MD Sony Minidisc player. 1GB per disc, removable storage is more my style than harddrive players.

[_Jeb_]

I love my ipod. Use it everyday. I didn't really give anything else much of a chance though.

Does anyone know if that Panasonic one is good? I like the design.

[Mr. SunburnMan]

I was somewhat hesitant into getting a HD-MD or an Ipod. But then I realized I would absolutely hate going through 256 songs in order to get to a certain album. I'm not the kind of person that uses shuffle alot, so I decided to go for a mp3 player that allowed me to do some music browsing.

[Norrec]

Well, from what I've understood from the information from the Hi-MD, I think song navigation is like my MP3/ATRAC3 discman. You create a disc with folders and subfolders, and use the jog wheel to navigate through them. It's not too bad. BUT... on my cd player, i dropped it accidently out of my pocket to a point where it still works, but the jog wheel's stop is stuck a little off, so it constantly thinks that i turned it a little, so i brings up the menu, which i have to cancel out of to get back to the normal controls. hopefully it doesnt happen with the Hi-MD.