Looking for at 120+GB FLAC Player, dimensions L<=6 W<=3 D<=.5 Options

[Jonathan217]

Before we get started, I've Googled it.

I have a music library that expands at the rate of about one cd every month. I encode all of my music as FLAC files and then lock my little plastic discs away for safe keeping.

I had a Rockboxed iPod with a 60GB drive in it, but I have long since outgrown it. I could have expanded the Hard Drive, but I am looking for something with native FLAC support and better hardware.

I don't mind discontinued devices being listed, but I would like to see what is currently out there too. I'd say the player should provide a minimum of 3 hours of play time on a single charge, 8 would be 'cherry.'

I need to be able to put music on it with out proprietary transfer software.

The player will be plugged into a pair of ATH M50s and will be listened to by someone who puts his hands over his ears when a track from iTunes is played.

A good bonus would be support for 96khz/24bit files, but I'm not holding my breath.

Lastly, I'm looking at spending less than $200USD. If it is a little over budget and meet the aforementioned requirements perfectly, I'd still like to know about it.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Soap]

I am looking for something with native FLAC support...

What is the difference between native FLAC support and Rockbox FLAC support in your mind?

... and better hardware.

Help me understand what the problem with the iPod 5th generation's hardware is and I can better help you.

This post has been edited by Soap: Oct 19 2012, 14:29

[Jonathan217]

I am looking for something with native FLAC support...

What is the difference between native FLAC support and Rockbox FLAC support in your mind?

... and better hardware.

Help me understand what the problem with the iPod 5th generation's hardware is and I can better help you.

The difference in support is based on information I gleaned from Rockbox that pointed out there was a lot of extra work the iPod had to do to decode the FLAC files.

As far as the hardware is concerned, that is based of unverified information that the quality of the audio components in the iPod is mediocre compared to something made by Cowon, for instance.

[saratoga]

The difference in support is based on information I gleaned from Rockbox that pointed out there was a lot of extra work the iPod had to do to decode the FLAC files.

What do you mean? Why would rockbox have to do "a lot of extra work"? FLAC is a very efficient format . . .

As far as the hardware is concerned, that is based of unverified information that the quality of the audio components in the iPod is mediocre compared to something made by Cowon, for instance.

No, the Classic in particular is probably better then anything Cowon makes. Or at least good enough that you shouldn't care about the difference between it and the alternatives.

FWIW, I'd get the Classic and either use ALAC in the apple firmware, or use Rockbox + FLAC.