maxthrusters Posted December 31, 2005 Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 (edited) I bought myself an A608 today!I got it at the Sony Store, in silver. It was $249.99CAD plus tax, however I had a Pulse coupon for $15CAD off. This new player is to replace my MS-70D.The salesman said "Oh, don't install the software on the CD in the box...use SonicStage instead" LOL!Really classy packaging: purple carton containing a solid gift-type box in black. Nice change from the cheap looking blister packs on other Sony "Mp3" players these past few years.After charging with USB cable (about 2 hours for full charge) I set up the date and time formats the way I like, did a preset scan for my local FM radio stations (87.5Mhz to 108Mhz on Canadian model), turned off 'beep', and turned on AVLS.SonicStage 3.3 recognized the player as an "ATRAC Audio Device", meaning that auto sync works for this player. A first for me, as I haven't previously owned any other players that supported this feature.There were two sample songs already on the player at ATRAC3plus 256, a nice touch. I set up a dynamic playlist for transfer, 1.9GB of tracks with transfer count of zero. I selected "as is" so no converting: my music collection is quite large, consisting of ATRAC3plus 256, ATRAC3 132, MP3 192 CBR, and MP3 320 VBR.After this was done (not sure how long it took, I went and watched some TV) there were 331 songs on the player. Not bad at all! In fact, too good as I doubt I would want to listen to all that in one session. Time to re-rip some CDs in a higher bitrate!It was then time to listen to music, so I tossed the included headphones right back into the box. They are those "hard" in-the-ear type which I personally find most uncomfortable. I'm using a pair of Sony MDR-NX1 headphones, which have a leather neckstrap and silicone buds just like the MDR-EX71 model.My music sounded great, better than on my MS-70D. Most likely from no transcoding. No hisses or whatnot that others have reported.Some friends came over then and were all "oohing" and "ahhing" over the player. It does look great in silver, like jewelery almost. They use SanDisk players, and seemed boggled that I would want a player that can't have MP3 files just dragged and dropped onto it from any computer. So am I actually lol!I now decided to flirt with danger and install the Connect Player. As I said before, the sales guy at the Sony Store advised to "just use SonicStage". Once again Sony has made a super player yet crippled it with really bad software! It's a resource hog, and loads quite a few mysterious processes (I counted five or so).After updating to the most current version I decided to import my music, so I started that and went to bed. A few hours later I woke up and came to see if it was complete....and Connect had sucked up so much memory that Windows had put up a warning about low memory lol.I stopped the import and closed Connect, and rebooted. Nothing had been imported into Connect after all those hours I was asleep! Perhaps too many music files cause this (I have over 10,000), so I will try to add some folders individually next time.To deal with the extra processes Connect starts I decided to disable auto-update and all Internet functions including Intelligent ArtistLink. An ominous warning message appeared, saying I won't be able to use the Connect Store. This was funny as being Canadian I can't use it anyway (not to mention I'd never buy DRMed low bit music).Perhaps after a few patches Connect will be more usable. I think this terrible software is why none of the new players are available in the USA yet. People would install it, have problems, and just return the player in frustration. Perhaps Sony thinks Canadian, Japanese, and European folks are more tolerant and forgiving of their software than Joe USA would be.Included accessories: yet another USB cable (I've got so many of these now lol), a flimsy plastic clip that I won't be using, velvety pouch, the Connect Player CD (with Acrobat version of manual), Quickstart guide, and the previously-mentioned painful headphones.Pro: Looks great, sounds great, plays MP3 with no need for file conversion, works with SonicStage 3.3 just great, USB 2.1, great capacity, very portable size, no moving parts (like all flash players).Con: Connect Player software seems like poor beta software, Clip and Headphones seem poor quality, must use Connect Player or SonicStage to transfer music. Edited December 31, 2005 by maxthrusters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kungfool Posted December 31, 2005 Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 Thanks for the review! I'm curious, what is the frequency range for the radio on your canadian version NW-A608? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxthrusters Posted December 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 The FM frequency range is North American on my player: 87.5 to 108 Mhz. I wonder why they don't just make them all world-band.Thanks for the review! I'm curious, what is the frequency range for the radio on your canadian version NW-A608?←Shocking development!!! I fell asleep listening to tunes, and to my horror on waking up there was liquid under the screen! I think I drooled on it....I am about to fix it by removing the tiny screws to remove the cover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxthrusters Posted December 31, 2005 Author Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 (edited) Alright, repair complete. That was scary! I used an eyeglass repair screwdriver to get the tiny screws off under the USB cover. Once I had the clear outer cover removed it was a simple task to wipe away the liquid from the inner silver cover and the inside of the already removed clear outer cover.Discovery: the two buttons on the unit don't appear to be attached to anything, the clear outer cover design is what holds them in place. Unless they are supposed to be glued and I had one that wasn't? It flew across the room, I had lots of fun trying to find it.Once everything was cleaned up I replaced the clear outer cover and screwed the player back together. The silver button that had come off seems quite secure, as before. Advice to all: don't fall asleep and drool on your new walkman lol Edited December 31, 2005 by maxthrusters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishiyoshi Posted December 31, 2005 Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 Advice to all: don't fall asleep and drool on your new walkman lol←Mein gott! Well, glad all is well now. I shall post up my NW-A608/SI Winter Edition pictorial shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stuge Posted December 31, 2005 Report Share Posted December 31, 2005 I shall post up my NW-A608/SI Winter Edition pictorial shortly. ←Looking forward for your review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asadasad22 Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 hi! Is that sure, that with this player must use Connect Player or SonicStage to transfer music? Have you tried to simple transfer the music as to a pendrive? Does it works? I read this in the Sony's official site: "MP3 direct playback - YES" What does it means? I so define it, that means this, what U can simply transfer music to the My Computer/MP3 player simply? How does it works? I would like to buy this player, but its important to me! And another: Can this player play MP3 files? The previous NW-E407-507 can't, just Atrac, this can? Please reply me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stuge Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 hi! Is that sure, that with this player must use Connect Player or SonicStage to transfer music? Have you tried to simple transfer the music as to a pendrive? Does it works? I read this in the Sony's official site: "MP3 direct playback - YES" What does it means? I so define it, that means this, what U can simply transfer music to the My Computer/MP3 player simply? How does it works? I would like to buy this player, but its important to me! And another: Can this player play MP3 files? The previous NW-E407-507 can't, just Atrac, this can? Please reply me!Hello asadasad22,Please don`t post same question everywhere . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZero Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 Is there anyway I can get the A608 in the US? If not, where is the cheapest place to order it from, and will I have any problems (with the FM and all) by having it imported from another country? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxthrusters Posted January 28, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 EZero: you could get a Canadian one, we use the same radio frequencies as in the USA. Euro or Asian ones would be different FM.I think all the A series here are still exclusive to the Sony Stores/Maison Sony (and sonystyle.ca), but they don't ship out of Canada. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Stuge Posted January 28, 2006 Report Share Posted January 28, 2006 EZeroLook here : Radio broadcasting frequences of Different countries.You can aslo import A608 from U.K also . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madleet3 Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 btw those u use e500 and A600 seires FMdo u notice its kinda mono in music? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ascariss Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 The 2 gig A608 is also for sale at futureshop and possibly best buy, didn't check their site.the price is 239 Canadian now, 10 bucks instant savings. the don't ship outside of canada though I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZero Posted February 22, 2006 Report Share Posted February 22, 2006 The 2 gig A608 is also for sale at futureshop and possibly best buy, didn't check their site.the price is 239 Canadian now, 10 bucks instant savings. the don't ship outside of canada though I think.That's my problem. If I could get an A608 (Silver), I'd be able to use that until Sony releases a competitive MP3 player. But I can't find it anywhere that can ship to the USA. I'm stuck with the iPod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedemptioN419 Posted February 26, 2006 Report Share Posted February 26, 2006 (edited) I too live in the US...must have A608!!As for me, i'm stuck with a CD player with a broken lid. So I have to stick a metal paper clip in a slot so the player won't read 'OPEN' when I turn it on. Only advantage is, I get to be entertained by an exposed spinny CD.Perhaps after a few patches Connect will be more usable. I think this terrible software is why none of the new players are available in the USA yet. People would install it, have problems, and just return the player in frustration. Perhaps Sony thinks Canadian, Japanese, and European folks are more tolerant and forgiving of their software than Joe USA would be.I do agree with you there. Sad, very very sad...for me. Edited February 26, 2006 by RedemptioN419 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxthrusters Posted August 20, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2006 (edited) It's been awhile now since I reviewed my silver A608, and I thought I would follow up with some additional commentary.I'm still quite pleased with it. Using the A608 with neck-strap headphones makes it very convenient to use. I wear it everyday when walking my dog or going somewhere on the bus. Friends are quite impressed with it's appearance, small size, and design.I've loaded it with about 900 songs at ATRAC3plus 64kbbs, converted from Mp3 of various bitrates (mostly lame alt preset standard) and ATRAC3 132kbbs. Given that I'm using the player in noisy environments the sound is entirely acceptable in quality, even with transcoding.Since I bought the A608 I've also bought an A3000. Comparing the two I have to say that I like the 'intelligent' features as implemented on the A3000 better. I do like how the player uses a standard USB-to-Mini USB cable (unlike the A3000).Not being able to delete or mark songs for deletion on the A608 is inconvenient. Viewing the display outdoors in daylight is difficult to impossible. The small rubbery latch that covers the mini USB port shows wear from use.SonicStage CP has worked just fine with my A608, with the exception of some songs that would not transfer due to improper tags.Overall I would say that I'm quite pleased with the A608.Update: I decided to try the included headphones and clip, having stripped the wiring on my neckband phones. They aren't painful at all, like older "included" headphones, and actually sound remarkably good for 'free' phones. Edited August 26, 2006 by maxthrusters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimKill Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Well yeah, I agree the rubber seems very delicate shall we say...The battery life simply rocks man...everyone in my college is envious of that, and that's the first thing I tell them...When I show it to them first(Power Save Super/ Screen Off), they're like Oh, it's like the iPod Shuffle. I tell them yes, but with one major difference, and pull out the shuttle, you should just see the way their jaws drop...they're like OMG(pun...that's the old atrac extension(I think Open MagicGate), hell it aint open in anyway) and all...A few who've got creative zen micro have to keep replacing/rechargin their AAA batteries every 10hrs or so, and I tell them I've not charged mine for 3 weeks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxthrusters Posted August 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 I tell them I've not charged mine for 3 weeksIt's true, the battery life in really great. I've been unable to completely drain the battery even after all this time. Of course since I change the music every couple of weeks it gets a charge. I think rated life is 50 hours or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimKill Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Yeah, it's rated at 50 hours, and it IS long, like u could travel round the world in a plane, and still have juice for the trip from airport to home... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.