juli_

The display is very clear beneath the cover. Photos, videos and album art look really nice. I actually prefer the look of it with the case on. Don't get the silicon one unless you're not worried about the screen - it doesn't cover the screen so you'd have to buy one of those screen protectors (which doesn't protect it from anything except fingerprints). I had one and returned it the same day. It's really easy to access all the functions through the clear case as well. 2 weeks ago, my 808 took a crash to the ground and it would have been smashed to pieces if the case hadn't been on, also would have been smashed if I'd been using the silicon one! I've attached a photo - ignore the colour and picture quality completely. It is displaying perfectly in Photobucket, but as soon as I attach the link and then view it, it turns BLUE?? Plus it blurred as well, but I thought you could at least get an idea of how it looks inside the case. Believe me, album art looks beautiful on it, anyone can confirm that. http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee266/s...q_photo/808.jpg

The 818 and 808 are physically identical in every way, so yes, the 808 case will fit the 818. I just checked the eBay link, and it's the same place I got my 808 clear hard case from!!!

The thing is, if the unit's failed twice, there's no obligation to accept a repair OR an exchange, since this headphones jack thing is obviously an issue with some of the units. If it was me, I would look for another model altogether, and ask for the cost of the 706 to be deducted from the new unit. Unless you desperately want another 706, just get another model. You can't guarantee a new or 'repaired' 706 isn't going to suffer from the same problem again, as it seems to attack 'randomly'. I would be very firm about and say something like: "I'd rather not accept a third repair/replacement thank you. If it happens again it will be out of warranty and I'll have no unit. I'd prefer to buy a more reliable model and have the cost of the 706 put towards the new purchase". To be fair, I have been known to insist on my consumer rights quite loudly in shops!! I had a Sagem Freeview recorder that had some inherent fault with it, and 2 years and 3 exchanges later, I took it back to Argos (with one day left until the third warranty expired) and got a brand new Wharfedale to replace it. My argument was the Sagem couldn't be repaired because it was an inherent fault with most of the models, and I refused a replacement on the grounds I didn't trust the durability of the product. I'm sure if you use a similar argument, you'll be able to come to a satisfactory conclusion. Of course, if you don't want another model, then I haven't got any suggestions!

JesseB - the A818 doesn't play gapless. This facility was sacrificed since the newer models are now SonicStage/Atrac free and it was only Atrac files that could play with no gaps. I have the A808 and was initially peeved when the newer drag and drop models were released, but once I realised that gapless was no longer possible - I was glad I didn't buy one. Maybe it's possible (as you suggest) that Sony might release a firmware update to rectify this, but if they don't - maybe you should consider getting the A8xx series instead? But then of course, you'd be back to SonicStage again, and judging from the rave reviews about the A818, I imagine a lot of people would willingly sacrifice gapless than be lumbered with SS. . .

I was lurking at Amazon as usual, and noticed that the 818 has 11 5-star reviews so far. People are loving it. But when I looked at the 808 reviews, the ratings were slightly lower, with users knocking off stars because of SonicStage. So it was nice to see the 818 got maximum ratings based solely on performance and sound quality (now there is no complaint about the software!) Seems Sony are attracting a whole new crowd of fans, and that can only be good news. I always thought it was sad that SS put people off trying the later flash players, which, let's face it - are brilliant. I think most of the 818 reviews compare it (automatically) with the iPod. One reviewer said his iPod would be going straight in the bin Anyway, I feel ridiculously pleased that other people are getting to appreciate how good the Sony sound really is. As soon as SS was dropped, the praise started coming in from all angles. I'm always telling my friends to try a Sony, but their main priority has always been ease of use, with SQ coming second. Well, now they can have both!

So when you watch TV, will you have the surround sytem on all the time? And won't it sound weird to have sound coming from behind you if you're just watching basic TV programmes (rather than dvds etc?). I haven't had a surround system before so I wouldn't know. But unless I watching a dvd I would only want the sound coming from around the TV or else I think it would sound unnatural. Any tips?

I got the Thor scart to scart from Amazon for £17.99 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Thor-Scart-to-1-5m...4386&sr=1-1 It won What? Hi-Fi? Best Buy scart lead under £50, and I really found it made a difference. Normally I don't bother to upgrade scart cables, but in this instance it was worth it. You're right about the size of the Trinitron speakers! Unfortunately one of them had blown a long time ago, and there were no Sony replacements so we ended up with some strange generic one that didn't work very well. It would buzz at louder volumes, very annoying! I've got my eye on the DAV-IS10 surround system but I'm waiting for the price to come down. In the meantime I'm trying to adapt to the flatter sound, which is hard after my beloved Trintron sq (

That's interesting. I think my Trinitron was about 12 as well, maybe that's their average lifespan? The Bravia is excellent - but when I first turned it on, I almost screamed! Apparently, the settings are 'set' for showroom viewing, so contrast and brightness were on maximum. It was blinding! Once I'd changed all the settings and adjusted the backlight etc, the picture was excellent. My only complaint is that the Sony Trinitron had a much better sound. The Bravia's speakers seem to be a lot smaller and the sound is not nearly as full as the Trinitron. It's as if the sound doesn't match the picture if that makes sense?? I don't know how to boost the sound quality without linking it up to a surround system, but I'm not ready to do that just yet. I also bought another scart lead which made the colour much nicer. Bear in mind I'm not watching anything in HD yet (no Sky box and no HD DVDs), but the picture quality is amazing. All in all, I'm really really happy with it. I got a good price of £579 at Amazon, and the same TV would have cost £843 at John Lewis! The old Sony was a 28" and this is a 32" which is the perfect size for our room. It's my first widescreen TV, and I had to get used to the screen 'stretching' 4.3 formats which made people shorter and fatter, but I've changed the format to display as it was originally broadcast. Then I can change the screen myself if I want to.

Well, with your fake EX90s, and your hope for a fake version of the Sony MDR-EX700SL. . . or maybe you mean you seek Sony out for larger purchases, like TV's? :lol: If you're a Sony fan, have you never considered buying of their daps, like the 7xx or 8xx series? They're both excellent.

I can now add the Sony Bravia KDL32V2500 to my collection, Sony audio cradle/speakers, and another clock radio. My old faithful Sony Trinitron gave up the ghost 2 weeks ago and only switched on twice a week. . . it was also developing a pink hue and the original remote had ceased working long ago. So at least I could fully justify buying the Bravia

How did you manage to listen to the radio through it? I was never able to with my 706. The antenna thing's in the earphones isn't it? I'm sure you can only use the radio if you're using the supplied NC022 earphones, but if you've managed to listen to it through the CPF-NW001 then I'm obviously mistaken. Or did you find some other way of getting a signal??

You can't change album??? The guy at the 'help' desk told me the CPF-NW001 would definitely change albums as the remote control was configured differently to the remote for the other model. What's strange is that the CPF-NW001 is fully compatible with the 7xx and DOES switch albums. Now they're describing it as an audio cradle for the 8xx (doesn't mention the 7xx any more) - so you'd expect it to behave in exactly the same way. I'm glad I take no notice of the help/hindrance desk, seems I got the wrong information yet again. I was really looking forward to switching albums. I know it's not hard to do it manually, but it's so much easier just to point the remote at it. Anyway, I made £60 profit by getting a refund of £99.99 from Argos for the wi-fi one, and then buying the other one for less than £40. So I'm not too peeved

Oh, THANK you. They don't seem to be available from the UK site though. Mind you, I searched for 'replacement tips' and not 'ear cushions' so I'll go back and check again. I wonder why they insist on selling 3 different sizes in the replacement packs. I can understand supplying them like that with the players, but once you know which size fits, you wouldn't want 3 different sizes. I'd rather have 3 pairs of mediums. Oh well. . .

I have never been able to buy genuine Sony replacement tips, even from the Sony website. Luckily, I still have the ones that came with my player and I bought 'compatible' ones from eBay. Does anyone have a link to genuine Sony EX tips, rather than just 'compatible' ones?

Well, I just ordered the previous model (without the wi-fi) CPF-NW001 from Amazon for the amazing price of £39.77!!! For some reason, it's not even showing that figure as a reduction in price. I bought this one in February for £160, then sold it and bought the wi-fi version. Also, when I bought the original one, it was listed for the NW-S7xx series - now the 7xx description has been replaced by the A8xx - which is odd as it's exactly the same model as before. My hope is that the remote will switch albums!!!

Did you buy it from Sony, Amazon, eBay? Sony and Amazon have to honour the guarantee. If you don't want to take the risk of having the 706 replaced with another one, how about choosing another model and offering to pay the difference? As far as I know, if the replacement is 5 months old, they don't have to exchange it or refund it. They do have to send it off for repair though, and if it's not capable of being fixed, then they should offer you something else. It's unlikely you'd get a refund because they'd argue you've had the use of a 706 for almost a year. But as they know it's a problem you've had twice now, they should be OK with giving you a different model. If it was me, I'd suggest that to them. At least you might be able to get a brand new model for a minimal outlay. It's worth trying anyway.

if they can't fix it, then they should replace it. It's still under guarantee. There's no way you should be left without a unit after less than a year!

Which part of the unit is 'cheap and nasty'??? First time I ever heard anyone say that. Sure you haven't got a fake plastic one??? The last things these units are, is 'cheap and nasty'. What a strange comment to make with nothing to explain why! EDIT: Oh, maybe Shinji was right, were you referring to the powerpack??? That would make more sense!!

Maybe they sent you the pair they were copying from by mistake???????? I guess you've been lucky - but the problem with fakes, is when people buy a product in good faith (because of the Sony or Sennheiser name etc) and the product turns out to be awful, then they're unlikely to consider buying from the same brand again - once bitten, twice shy. OK, for the price you paid, you knew they were fake. But there are some fakes that cost the same amount as the genuine article. If they turn out to be inferior (as they normally are), the buyer's money is wasted, and a bad taste is left regarding the brand. I'm sure there are hundreds of people out there who would quite happily have 'risked' $7 for ANY pair of headphones. If they sound really good, they could have described them as sounding 'similar' to Sony or something. They could even have played a spoof on the name and called them 'Nosy' or 'Ynos (for drinkers!!). My point is that so many people buy fakes (without knowing they are fakes) and end up out of pocket, and very disappointed. I hate to buy anything which has even a whiff of 'fake' about it. When I bought my 808 clear hard case from eBay (because it wasn't readily available elsewhere) - I quizzed the seller incessantly to make sure it was a genuine Sony article (which it was). And that was just for a case!

It seems incredible. Fakes for $7 and they sound good? I'm amazed. I remember all the talk about the Sennheiser CX300 fakes being sold on eBay - and apparently the sound was awful. So it makes no sense that a $7 pair of Sony fakes can sound good. The amount can't possibly cover any parts at all, I just don't get it. But hey, if they sound good to you - then you've got the bargain of a lifetime

They've already been reviewed Zizone wrote a very nice detailed account of them, and included pics to go with it. http://www.atraclife.com/forums/index.php?...;hl=mdr-ex700sl

That's why I decided to stick with my 808 and to stop moaning about a firmware upgrade!! I hadn't appreciated all the features I'd lose, and gapless is top of my list as I listen to a lot of live albums. Any gap at all is jarring and unacceptable. I'm almost tempted to buy a second 808 to make sure I'll always have gapless - but it's possible that by the end of the 808's life - Sony will have brought out some more daps which will hopefully be able to play gapless. Also, I really really like the ability to create on-the-fly playlists. I find it so much better to add as I'm listening, rather than having to calculate what I 'might' want to hear.

Congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the Sony sound - it's great isn't it? Decent headphones will bring out its qualities even more. I'm using the Denon AH-C700 and they're just beautiful with my 808. Took a lot of testing before I found the headphones I wanted but it was well worth is, now I've got exactly the sound I was looking for. Have fun with your new toy. . .

treehome - the hardware IS identical, but the software is not. There's been huge speculation on here already about a possible firmware upgrade for the A808 to make it 'behave' like the newer A818. If you do a search, you'll see the final word is 'no upgrade' for the A8xx series. If you want to be free of SS, you'll have to buy the newer model. But you'll be giving up gapless playback, the ability to create on-the-fly bookmarks, ratings information etc - so the newer model is not necessarily a step up from the A808, depending on which features you value.

Raising Sand - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss. Just got it, Can't stop listening to it. Sheer brilliance and beautiful harmonies.