Advice on Audio Player for Old Folks, Digital Playback - How much do devices vary? Options

[carpman]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a budget device to play audio mainly from USB memory stick (or possibly USB External Drive)

Was looking for an all in one solution and that led to looking at Portable DVD players (thus could play MP3s burnt to DVD, CDs, and MP3s from USB), but the problem having tried a couple is the interface is simply not designed to deal with a large number of audio files and one ends up navigating a clunky tree / directory system with buttons not designed to be pressed that often.

So, since my folks have a decent CD player already, I'm starting to think more along the lines of a straight MP3 player or e-Reader but it must have a decent sized screen and navigable interface.

Here's what I'm considering:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006LZW...me=&seller=

But this leads me to my second question:
How much do digital playback devices vary in regards quality. I'm assuming nowadays a DAC is a DAC, but is this true?
Afterall, it's just pumping ones and zeros out to an amp; can it vary that much?

The Mebook can play AAC, MP3, FLAC and WAV so its appealing. Plus it's very simple to navigate.

Anyone have any alternatives (I looked at Sansa players but none has a large enough screen for old folks - at least not these ones).

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

C.

[kritip]

http://www.jayceooi.com/2012/08/20/how-to-...ive-on-nexus-7/

as per above if you root the nexus 7 you can use mass storage with the USB

This is on pre-order, fits your budget and has micro sd and usb (unsure about using it as a storage device, but you have the micro sd)

http://www.ebuyer.com/407319-sumvision-cyc...blet-pc-cycvoy7