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[AlphaSnake]

Well, I've had an iPod now since Summer of 2003. It's a 10gb 3rd gen, with the click wheel, purchased new in June of 2003. I've put in lots and lots of hours into that thing. I never really realized how, ermm...average its audio playback is. Earphones or no earphones, the iPod always has a little rasp, a hiss if you will, in the background -- and this isn't just my iPod, iut's every iPod I've ever listened to. I had also began to use my iPod with my guitar amp, and because I never knew of an alternative, I didn't think much about the quality. I had fooled around with the iPod's EQ, and the best sound I could get out of the amp was using Treble Booster.

Now, I'm a very proud owner of a PSP. As soon as I received my 256MB SanDisk, I tossed a bunch of MP3s into it and encoded a number of music videos. I immediately wanted to see how the PSP would sound playing through the guitar amp. I thought the lack of an EQ would probably make it sound lousy, but to my complete surprise the PSP sounded better than the iPod ten-fold. The playback was sharp, no rasp or any hint of hiss; it was just so damn precise. Plugging the iPod back and comparing it with the same song (APC - Judith) demonstrated an enormous difference. The iPod sounds duller, lacks a punch in bass, has that annoying hiss and overall is missing this sort of sharpness/clarity that the PSP has. Clarity is precisely the word to use in this situation.

What's even more amazing that no matter the equipment you use it with, the PSP just sounds better. I checked out The Game's "How We Do" and Ciara's "1, 2, Step" on my cousin's Alpine setup in his car -- and even he told me that the PSP sounded better, and he's the last person in the world who would be considered an audiophile (I'm up there too). The PSP's MP3 playback just seems to be better than that of the iPod's, based on what I personally have experienced.

Also, a side question, is there such thing as a smart (self-adjusting) equalizer? The PSP doesn't have one, but at the same time, I'm not so sure that it needs one; it's almost as if it adjusts it by itself or something quirky like that.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

how do i know you aren't telling the truth?

 

[xsarien]

It's a 10gb 3rd gen, with the click wheel

 

[Pedigree Chum]

I'll test this out as well when I get my PSP.

 

[Trakball]

So 10GB of music with "average" quality is better than 256MB of "better than average" quality music? I could just cry.

 

[AlphaSnake]

So 10GB of music with "average" quality is better than 256MB of "better than average" quality music? I could just cry.

Umm, what does capacity have anything to do with this? The bottom line is that the PSP plays MP3s better than the iPod. I seriously don't understand why you're even bringing capacity up.

Xsarien: What?

 

[UtadaBarkley]

Sony has much more experience and history with music, so this finding doesn't surprise me. Thankfully I'll be getting a PSP come March... I held off on the temptation to import. Only one and a half more months baby.

 

[xsarien]

Xsarien: What?

3Gs don't have a click wheel.

 

[AlphaSnake]

3Gs don't have a click wheel.

Well whatever it's called. Scroll wheel, click wheel, etc. etc.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Sony has much more experience and history with music, so this finding doesn't surprise me. Thankfully I'll be getting a PSP come March... I held off on the temptation to import. Only one and a half more months baby.

Yeah, I was holding off the temptation too. But I would check eBay daily in light of possibly coming across a steal, and lo and behold I did. Scored a PSP for $300, barely used a week. No defects, no nothing. Shape was flawless. Guy was going overseas into combat so he sold it.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Yeah, I was holding off the temptation too. But I would check eBay daily in light of possibly coming across a steal, and lo and behold I did. Scored a PSP for $300, barely used a week. No defects, no nothing. Shape was flawless. Guy was going overseas into combat so he sold it.

Same here, but man I got a SWEET deal on a PSP. PSP + Headphones (w/ remote) + Softcase for $300 and games thrown in at cost (picked up Lumines).

Now to play the excruciating waiting game.

 

[Trakball]

Umm, what does capacity have anything to do with this? The bottom line is that the PSP plays MP3s better than the iPod. I seriously don't understand why you're even bringing capacity up.

You're the one playing the iPod vs PSP card, right? I'll ask you again: you would rather have 256MB to play really wonderful sounding MP3s, than 10GB to play average sounding MP3s? I'm asking you a question and I'm weeping at what I know will be the answer.

 

[Doom_Bringer]

nice stuff can't wait for PSP!

 

[Celicar]

lol

psp is the best mp3 player ever. haha

 

[Ninja Scooter]

and all you need is $2000 worth of MemorySticks to get the same amount of space!

 

[aoi tsuki]

You're the one playing the iPod vs PSP card, right? I'll ask you again: you would rather have 256MB to play really wonderful sounding MP3s, than 10GB to play average sounding MP3s? I'm asking you a question and I'm weeping at what I know will be the answer.

Depends on the purpose really. FWIW, my Clie sounds just as good if not better than the iPod. i'm looking at taking a job that requires me to commute, so i'm looking at either spending ~$350 for an extended battery and a 2GB MS, or an MP3 player. A couple of gigs isn't a lot of music compared to twenty or forty, but then again, i'd rather not have to carry another device around with me.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

lol

psp is the best mp3 player ever. haha

I have an iPod (though my sis has it at the moment), and it really was a stupid buy for me since I'm not an avid music listener. 20-30 singles and I'm happy, PSP does the job for me (helps that I can pack the thing with manga/vids and have games on me too).

I'm going to love this thing.

 

[Trakball]

It's amazing that the same things the iPod gets all shit on over is like, a selling point for the PSP.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

It's amazing that the same things the iPod gets all shit on over is like, a selling point for the PSP.

I wouldn't really call it a selling point (manga/vid playback is for me), its an added bonus. Call me when you can play movies, music, manga and games on a iPod (and with a big beautiful wide screen).

 

[Trakball]

Well, I would call you, Pedigree, but I don't want you to waste any of the PSP's three hours of battery life bothering with me.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Well, I would call you, Pedigree, but I don't want you to waste any of the PSP's three hours of battery life bothering with me.

Don't worry about that, it lasts 10h for music. Go ahead, give me a call.

 

[lexy]

Unrelated question, but I didn't want to start a thread over this.

My Ipod is frozen. I was trying to skip a song and it got "stuck" and it refuses to playback anything or even turn off. I tried hooking it up to my computer hoping that it would reset the Ipod but nothing happened. Does anyone have any advice on this or does anyone know if there is anyway to reset the Ipod? My Ipod is virtually brand new; I've only had it for about 2 months =\

I'm thinking of going downtown to the Apple store tomorrow, if I can't figure this out.

 

[6.8]

Press and hold the play and menu button at the same time. That's how I reset my 3rd gen ipod anyway. I had this problem once and it fixed it.

 

[lexy]

Press and hold the play and menu button at the same time. That's how I reset my 3rd gen ipod anyway. I had this problem once and it fixed it.

It hasn't worked so far, but I'll keep trying. Thanks.

 

[Fusebox]

Every Sony minidisc player I've owned has blown my iPod away for sound quality so this doesn't surprise me one bit, and I'm using a 128 meg card in my phone at the mo' for mp3s and surprisingly it hasnt been an issue and I haven't taken the iPod out for a run for a while.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

It hasn't worked so far, but I'll keep trying. Thanks.

You have to hold it for like 5 sec (IIRC). It should reset by then (you'll get the Apple logo). After tha you should be good to go.

 

[6.8]

Every Sony minidisc player I've owned has blown my iPod away for sound quality so this doesn't surprise me one bit.

Even on LP4 tracks? *pukes*

 

[aoi tsuki]

Even on LP4 tracks? *pukes*

It's not a matter of encoding quality. It's a matter of superior sound output at the component level. My Minidisc has better sound than the iPod as well.

 

[AlphaSnake]

You're the one playing the iPod vs PSP card, right? I'll ask you again: you would rather have 256MB to play really wonderful sounding MP3s, than 10GB to play average sounding MP3s? I'm asking you a question and I'm weeping at what I know will be the answer.

See, not everyone has the same priorities as you. If you weren't such a rash dork maybe you'd realize that I didn't use my iPod the same way everyone else does. But it seems like you're too blind-swept by your temptation to call me clueless or a hater. I don't walk around with my iPod, because I drive everywhere I go. I used my iPod for my guitars. Now if space was an issue, I could always get a 1GB stick and have around 500-700 songs -- all in absolutely wonderful quality. But I don't need one, because capacity isn't an issue in my case. I don't take long trips and I don't use the iPod outside of my house.

Edit: And for the record, Trakball, I'm not a hater. Far from it. I was once the biggest iPod whore on this forum. I've started some of the most heavily debated MD vs. iPod threads on GA. No hating from me, I just call 'em how I see them.

Edit #2: If we're going to talk about on-the-go situations, I'd still pick a PSP over the iPod. Why would I want just one feature, when for the price of an iPod ($200 PSP + $100 1GB Stick) I could have: a game console, movie player, MP3 player and a photo viewer. Seriously.

 

[lexy]

You have to hold it for like 5 sec (IIRC). It should reset by then (you'll get the Apple logo). After tha you should be good to go.

I've held the menu and play button down for 10+ seconds and nothing's happening. Dammit. Just so we're clear, the third generation Ipod is the one with the click wheel?

 

[Pedigree Chum]

I've held the menu and play button down for 10+ seconds and nothing's happening. Dammit. Just so we're clear, the third generation Ipod is the one with the click wheel?

No, its the the with the 4 buttons above the wheel. That's the one you have right? The reset should work, if it's a 4th gen, I don't know how to reset those. There should be a way to do it, check the manual.

 

[border]

You're the one playing the iPod vs PSP card, right?

Subject line is "MP3 Playback: iPod vs PSP"......not "MP3 Storage: iPod vs PSP"

 

[AlphaSnake]

Subject line is "MP3 Playback: iPod vs PSP"......not "MP3 Storage: iPod vs PSP"

Thank you. Given Trakball's track record (har har, pun intended) I shouldn't have even taken his reply seriously. But I do appreciate his love for Junior Senior.

 

[lexy]

No, its the the with the 4 buttons above the wheel. That's the one you have right? The reset should work, if it's a 4th gen, I don't know how to reset those. There should be a way to do it, check the manual.

Mine is the one with the click wheel. I would check the manual but, unfortunately it's at home right now (in a different city). I'll probably just head to the Apple store tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Mine is the one with the click wheel. I would check the manual but, unfortunately it's at home right now (in a different city). I'll probably just head to the Apple store tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice.

WAIT! Try this:

Try doing a "hard reset." Plug the AC adapter into the iPod and then into the wall. While the AC is connected, hold down the menu key and the select key simultaneously. Keep holding until the screen goes blank. The Apple logo should reappear and boot normally. If not, you should consider taking it back since it's only 2 days old.

Got it from iPodlounge.com thx to GadgetGuru72.

 

[Trakball]

I'm not familiar with Jr. Sr. I mean, I've heard of them, but I haven't heard any of their music.

And yes, I'm guilty of not being on-topic. My apologies to you, Alpha, and my heartfelt thanks to Border for pointing out the error of my ways.

If I may speak freely for a moment? I'm afraid that these threads are going to be the kiss of death for Apple, Nintendo, basically everyone but Sony. It's like the Dreamcast era - "well, the PS2 is going to have Toy Story graphics, so let's skip the DC!" that was so prevailent. "The PSP has better sound quality than the iPod!" - yes, but you're talking about a piece of equipment that has less storage, less battery life, and will probably be as expensive if not more than the lowest-level iPod. But I can just see people coming into this thread, their frothing demand for the PSP increasing, and leaving convinced: "shit! the PSP is superior to any hand-held device previously available! I'm going to go put down a deposit!" And that's where my rash dorkiness & speed to defend my beloved 'Pod comes in.

Do I need to apologize for being enthusiastic about the things that have brought me such joy? GAF would be a really boring place if everyone sat around agreeing with each other.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

"yes, but you're talking about a piece of equipment that has less storage"

Yup it does, but we're not stupid we know that. Some random guy that comes into the thread isn't going to magically think the PSP has 20Gigs under its hood.


"less battery life"

Maybe in comparison to 4th gen iPod, but it's substantially better than my 3rd gen iPod that can only last for 6 hours (used to be 8).


"expensive if not more than the lowest-level iPod."

Yeah, the iPod Shuffle...such a shitty player, w/ 512 or 1G space. Ohh, I can get both sizes for the PSP. Compared to the iPod Mini/regular the PSP is a hell of a lot cheaper (and even when you factor in the mem stick prices, you still get movie/manga and game playback all great things to have on the road on top of music).


Stop being so bitter.

 

[lexy]

WAIT! Try this:


Got it from iPodlounge.com thx to GadgetGuru72.

Finally, it worked! Thanks dude, you're awesome.

 

[DCharlie]

seeing as this topic has been taken way south, just a thought....

if sony could release a powered USB pack HDD for about 19800 yen, they could potentially cause some issues for the ipod. They could then have the mp3 play back and the movie player on a nice screen. I'm sure this must have crossed sony's mind...

 

[Trakball]

Yeah, the iPod Shuffle...such a shitty player, w/ 512 or 1G space. Ohh, I can get both sizes for the PSP. Compared to the iPod Mini/regular the PSP is a hell of a lot cheaper (and even when you factor in the mem stick prices, you still get movie/manga and game playback all great things to have on the road on top of music).Stop being so bitter.

How much do you think the PSP is going to be? Sans memory stick. You think that'll be less than a $299, 20GB iPod? :lol

 

[Pedigree Chum]

How much do you think the PSP is going to be? Sans memory stick. You think that'll be less than a $299, 20GB iPod? :lol

About $200USD is the rumored price.

 

[Macam]

Yeah, the iPod Shuffle...such a shitty player, w/ 512 or 1G space. Ohh, I can get both sizes for the PSP. Compared to the iPod Mini/regular the PSP is a hell of a lot cheaper (and even when you factor in the mem stick prices, you still get movie/manga and game playback all great things to have on the road on top of music).


Stop being so bitter.

I can't tell what was worse: watching the BloodRayne trailer or reading that post.

 

[aoi tsuki]

seeing as this topic has been taken way south, just a thought....

if sony could release a powered USB pack HDD for about 19800 yen, they could potentially cause some issues for the ipod. They could then have the mp3 play back and the movie player on a nice screen. I'm sure this must have crossed sony's mind...

AFAIK, the PSP doesn't operate as a USB master, which is why it has to connect to a PC via another program.

 

[Trakball]

About $200USD is the rumored price.

Ok, so you're arguing with me over a rumor! Excellent. Playing along: how much is a 256MB memory stick? Or however high you want to go with it.

 

[PhatSaqs]

The DJ kicks IPODs ass.

That is all.

 

[Pedigree Chum]

Ok, so you're arguing with me over a rumor! Excellent. Playing along: how much is a 256MB memory stick? Or however high you want to go with it.

Well I got my 256Mb mem stick for $55+tax(CDN).

Still, the rumor is somewhat substatiated by the sub $200 price tag of the Japanese system. And I'm not arguing storage space, in that regard the iPod is the best bang for the buck. But personally, I prefer the functionality offered by the PSP over the iPod. Its a trade-off for sure, but one that I don't mind.

 

[Aruarian Reflection]

Try a test with the PSP versus a mp3 player that's actually good and report back

 

[AlphaSnake]

Well I got my 256Mb mem stick for $55+tax(CDN).

Still, the rumor is somewhat substatiated by the sub $200 price tag of the Japanese system. And I'm not arguing storage space, in that regard the iPod is the best bang for the buck. But personally, I prefer the functionality offered by the PSP over the iPod. Its a trade-off for sure, but one that I don't mind.

I got mine at cost. $40. My cousin is a Belkin rep. and is stationed at the largest Comp USA (or was it Circuit City...hmm) in the US (and it's in NYC) and he gets an employee discount, even though he isn't an employee. Hehehe. =D

Trakball: I don't quite understand, you do at least know that your avatar is from a Junior Senior video right? Just wondering.

 

[Lord Error]

PSP does sound pretty damn amazing. The other day I've listened to it through Sennheiser PX-100 and the sound was so mint, so great, I couldn't believe. I haven't had a chance to compare it to iPod, but it sure kicks the hell out of my iPaq pocket PC when it comes to sound quality. Too bad, that's just not my type of headphones - I'm more for earbuds. Now I'm really hoping that EX71s that I want to buy, will sound anything comparable to that pair of Sennheisers...

With 1GB stick, PSP is a very nice music player (especially because of it's great sound quality) for someone who doesn't need to cary around whole music library.

 

[AlphaSnake]

PSP does sound pretty damn amazing. The other day I've listened to it through Sennheiser PX-100 and the sound was so mint, so great, I couldn't believe. I haven't had a chance to compare it to iPod, but it sure kicks the hell out of my iPaq pocket PC when it comes to sound quality. Too bad, that's just not my type of headphones - I'm more for earbuds. Now I'm really hoping that EX71s that I want to buy, will sound anything comparable to that pair of Sennheisers...

With 1GB stick, PSP is a very nice music player (especially because of it's great sound quality) for someone who doesn't need to cary around whole music library.

Yep. And even still, 1GB = ~500 songs, which is a shit load.