Unfortunately my lovely Sony MZ-E10 has gone to MD heaven *sniff* and I'm left with a heavy heart and a space in my pocket for some portable audio. I'd always used MD because of the gapless playback of my mixes and various mix CDs (everything, and I mean everything I listen to is a mix of some sort) and I'd previously steered away from the whole MP3/iPod/etc world because of various players inability to provide true gapless playback. Yes, you could rip a a 70 minute MP3 that you have to fast-forward through to move between songs, but I want to be able to skip through tracks at my leisure whilst still retaining the mixed aspect of the music.
But now I'm going to have to jump into the world of MP3 and I don't even know where to start, having been well out of the loop for a number of years. I've got some requirements though and was hoping some kind souls out there would be able to point me in the right direction.
Requirements:
1. Able to store at least 20 albums at the highest possible audio quality (FLAC/similar).
2. Small enough to fit in my pocket (anything around the G5 iPod size is fine).
3. Gapless playback of audio files - this is absolutely essential.
4. Remote control - ideally bundled with or at most a cheap addition.
5. 'Drag and drop' capability for transferring files - I don't want to install software a-la iTunes.
6. Some form of carrying case or protective jacket would be nice - again, included or a cheap addition is preferable.
I'm assuming that technology has now moved on to the stage where I can put my CD into my PC, rip the music losslessly (is that a word?) and then transfer this onto my player of choice, enjoy gapless playback and still be able to skip through tracks at my leisure? Is there a specific way of doing this and do I need specific software to be able to do this?
Oh and budget is pretty much whatever it takes. If I can get something that'll do everything I want it to and come in around the £300 mark with a remote control and a case, I'll be happy with that.
Right, over to you lot then. And thanks in advance for any help offered - it will be appreciated!
But now I'm going to have to jump into the world of MP3 and I don't even know where to start, having been well out of the loop for a number of years. I've got some requirements though and was hoping some kind souls out there would be able to point me in the right direction.
Requirements:
1. Able to store at least 20 albums at the highest possible audio quality (FLAC/similar).
2. Small enough to fit in my pocket (anything around the G5 iPod size is fine).
3. Gapless playback of audio files - this is absolutely essential.
4. Remote control - ideally bundled with or at most a cheap addition.
5. 'Drag and drop' capability for transferring files - I don't want to install software a-la iTunes.
6. Some form of carrying case or protective jacket would be nice - again, included or a cheap addition is preferable.
I'm assuming that technology has now moved on to the stage where I can put my CD into my PC, rip the music losslessly (is that a word?) and then transfer this onto my player of choice, enjoy gapless playback and still be able to skip through tracks at my leisure? Is there a specific way of doing this and do I need specific software to be able to do this?
Oh and budget is pretty much whatever it takes. If I can get something that'll do everything I want it to and come in around the £300 mark with a remote control and a case, I'll be happy with that.
Right, over to you lot then. And thanks in advance for any help offered - it will be appreciated!