Needing some help with my new NW-A808

[HOUSEkid]

I have just bought a NW-A808 to replace my lost 30GB iPod. I have a few questions and would be really greatful if anyone could help answer.

1. Most of my stuff I had on my Ipod was 192k+ MP3s. As I now only have 8GB to play with what format would it be best to convert the MP3s to without loosng too much sound quality but saving more space?

2. Is doing the above easy in SonicStage and will it leave my existing MP3s as they are?

3. If I copy a DJ mix, will it have gapless playback?

4. Is there a volume limit on the European NW-800 versions and if so can you take it off?

5. What are the bundles headphones like? Is it worth replacing them with some Stein CX-3000 or maybe the Sonys MDR-EX90LPs?

Many thanks for any help.

[juli_]

HOUSEkid' date='Aug 23 2007, 02:15 PM' post='26358'

I have just bought a NW-A808. As I now only have 8GB to play with what format would it be best to convert the MP3s to without loosng too much sound quality but saving more space?

Congrats on your new purchase You can convert then to Atrac 132kbps (or lower) which I believe would result in smaller files than you have already. But I would test a few tracks at differing bitrates first to make sure you're happy with how they sound

2. Is doing the above easy in SonicStage and will it leave my existing MP3s as they are?

If you want to leave your mp3s as they are - just make sure you have ticked the option: "Transfer as is" as I think the default setting is set to transfer/convert as Atrac 64kbps

3. If I copy a DJ mix, will it have gapless playback?

You can only get gapless playback if the CD was imported in Atrac format

4. Is there a volume limit on the European NW-800 versions and if so can you take it off?

There isn't a limit thank goodness!

5. What are the bundles headphones like? Is it worth replacing them with some Stein CX-3000 or maybe the Sonys MDR-EX90LPs?

They're pretty good considering they're 'freebies'. I'd wait to see what you think of them first before buying another set. I went through a long journey of headphone testing, 'finally' settling on the Shure SE210s, but have 'finally finally' settled on the Denon AH-C700 which have the same kind of fit as the Sony EX range. I got them new from eBay for $125, and they cost £149 here in the UK, the same price as the Shure SE310s - and they are so comfortable I can't feel I'm wearing them! The sound quality is amazing, but best of all is the cable which untangles itself!

[HOUSEkid]

Thanks juli for your help.

One last question, what version of Atrac is best to use? Atrac3 or Atrac advanced lossless? I guess the player supports it.

Thanks again

[juli_]

Thanks juli for your help. One last question, what version of Atrac is best to use? Atrac3 or Atrac advanced lossless? I guess the player supports it.

Yes, the player does support Atrac advanced lossless, but I did an experiment last week between atrac @ 352 kbps and advanced lossless @ 352kbps, and could not hear a difference at all. The difference may be noticeable on a home system but through the 808 I can't tell the difference, plus the file size is much smaller! I've got around 400 songs on the 808 at 352kbps and still have 4.6 GB to spare. I don't have a huge music collection so space is not an issue (although my collection is growing as I type!!).

I would definitely play around with a few tracks you know really well, and encode them at different rates - once you're happy with them, just use that setting all the time. If you test them first, you'll save a lot of time later if you then had to redo them all.

[Guest Stuge]

@HOUSEkid:In the first Place I will not suggest you to convert them to Atrac .

[dura_]

I agree with stuge. Converting from one lossy format to another spoil sound quality. the converted files will sound worse then MP3 192, and worse then Atrac 128 ripped from lossless.

Better rerip to 128, or keep your MP3s.