D2 8GB or 16GB iA7?

[rapide_23]

Hi people!

I'm currently tossing up between these two players, and was wondering which one would be better to replace my beloved iRiver h320.

I watch videos occasionally, but am picky about sound quality since I'll be using either one with an amplifier. Also, the ability of either one to run rockbox is a big factor.

Just for kicks, I'm also considering the X5 20GB since its cheaper than either one but has more storage.

EDIT: Could someone move this to the i7 section? Thanks!

[davidw89]

Originally Posted by rapide_23

Hi people!

I watch videos occasionally, but am picky about sound quality since I'll be using either one with an amplifier.

Definitely D2..video on iAudio 7 is so shit that i don't bother anymore. (i have both). Sound quality wise, probably similiar though i'd go D2 because it has a SDHC slot (very useful)

Also, the ability of either one to run rockbox is a big factor.

A rockbox will be ported to D2 sooner or later, just wait it out. No Rockbox will be ported to iAudio 7.

[rapide_23]

Yeah, I saw on the rockbox forum that there was an iA7 thread, but its died down whilst the D2 thread is full of posts about rockbox running reasonably well.

[laropo]

Well.. in that case I´d say the choice is easy.

Either go for a X5 or a D2 (+16GB SDHC?).

Watching video is better on the D2 than the I7, just because it has a bigger screen.

Sound Quality: difference between the D2 and I7 should be minimal. I believe these two players are based on the same hardware. The X5 is better than both of these, although the D2 came much closer since the latest firmware. I can´t say whether or not the I7 has had the same boost. This being said.. with an amp. you´ll do fine with all three.

Rockbox: Currently rockbox is being ported for the D2 (slowly). There does not seem to be much activity for the I7 on rockbox.org. It should be easier when the D2 is ported though (same hardware). And well... the X5 already has full rockbox support.

Storage: The I7 has up to 16GB, the X5 has 20GB, and the D2 has up to 8GB PLUS (!) SDHC card support. A 16GB SDHC costs about $60. So for $60 you triple your storage of your D2 to 24GB.

If it helps: The D2 has the loudest output, the I7 and X5 are about the same (48mW, 24mW and 20mW respectively). The I7 has upto 60h playback, the D2 upto 52h and the X5 up to 32h.

[rapide_23]

Hmmm, looks like I'll be joining the ranks of D2 or X5 owners out there.

I'm just a bit worried about how well the SD card integrates, since my Archos 405 doesn't integrate its SD card content too well.

[laropo]

Originally Posted by rapide_23

Hmmm, looks like I'll be joining the ranks of D2 or X5 owners out there.

I'm just a bit worried about how well the SD card integrates, since my Archos 405 doesn't integrate its SD card content too well.

There are to modes: ID3 browsing (track, artist, album, genre, year, etc.) and Folder browsing.

In Folder browsing it goes like:

D2 Int:
D2 Ext:

But in ID3 everything is well integrated.

[rapide_23]

So, should I get the X5 or D2? Is the D2 worth the extra over the X5??

Also, is the battery easy to replace on either one? I'd like to keep the players for quiet a while, and will use them very frequently.

[laropo]

Well.. I have never replaced a battery of the D2 nor the X5. You should use the search button and check out... I am positive there are a number of topics about this. Although.. from what I´ve red and heard, it seemed to be pretty easy for both of them.

And which one you take is up to you.. but maybe I can help you a bit more:

The D2 has a bigger screen, and touch screen.

The D2 is flash... so it´s shock proof.

The D2 supports flash lite.

The X5 probably has more support and functions, but has pretty much reached it´s limits. The D2 is only on the market for a year and a half now... but it´s community has greatly increased and it´s potential is way bigger.

As you can see... I am pro-D2, and that´s because I once made this choice too. I´ve had a M5L.. but when the screen cracked I wanted something more...

The best tip I can give you is.. make a list, and put the pro´s and con´s of the D2 and X5 next to each other... and decide which counts most for you.

[rapide_23]

Thanks. I think I'll now consider either ordering an 8GB D2 now or get the 16GB one when it comes out.

[rapide_23]

I think I'll toss a coin to decide tonight.

[laropo]

Good luck and let us know

[rapide_23]

Will do.

I was speaking to a friend earlier today and he said that I shouldn't consider a hard-disk player in this day and age of flash players, which sort of ruled out the X5 again...

I'm just wondering though, does the D2 or iA7 produce a hissing noise when used? I'm getting this really annoying hissing background noise with my iRiver H320.

[laropo]

Originally Posted by rapide_23

Will do.

I was speaking to a friend earlier today and he said that I shouldn't consider a hard-disk player in this day and age of flash players, which sort of ruled out the X5 again...

I'm just wondering though, does the D2 or iA7 produce a hissing noise when used? I'm getting this really annoying hissing background noise with my iRiver H320.

Well.. I have no idea.. so I guess not.

But I am bad hearing.. so I could be the wrong guy to ask

Anyway.. I have never heard someone complaint about that over here.

[rapide_23]

Its sort of ok when I run the normal firmware, but with rockbox it gets particularly bad.

[laropo]

Well... there is now way of saying right now, since both don't have rockbox yet..