N1 vs N10

[Abyss]

I have a Sony r-500 at the moment and am getting tired of having to uploading music in real time, after taking a look around the Sony N1 and N10 look right for me. I can't really decide what one to get. Money isn't a problem, please feel free to suggest any other models. Also I don't do any live recording and very rarely take trips longer than a day so battery life isn't my top priority.

[mAjEsTiC]

upload as in from MD -> PC??? well if this is the case you won't find much luck if you turn to the N1 or N10 since they don't support faster than real-time uploading of music...but if you meant downloading music from PC -> MD then yes the NetMD functionality of both the N1 and N10 is very appealing to you...i own both unit and i have to say that i like my N1 unit better than my N10 because of it's battery life and also sound output (the N10's sound output feels somewhat lacking as compared to my N1 IMO)...Sharp has also put a really interesting NetMD on the market (IM-DR580) just currently, utilising the 1-bit digital amp used on their high end AUVI units it seems like a good buy...take a look at these units yourself...and if you have anything specifc that you want to ask feel free to post any questions here and i'll be happy to answer the ones that i can...

[Abyss]

I'm very bias and would like to stick with Sony, so if you could explain why the sharp model would be better that would help alot. Also I already have experienced the joy that is getting anything from a minidisc back onto a computer. God that's a pain in teh arss.

[mAjEsTiC]

hmmm...Sony vs Sharp...well IMO i can't really say which is better but the new DR580 seems like a very very promising model from them...featuring a funky dock + having a 1-bit amp (4-pole headphone connector which truly seperates the left and right channels) the sound output will be better (in theory) than that of a Sony...i own a DS8 player and a Sony E10 player as well...out of the 2 of these i would agree that the Sharp is a lot nicer in terms of sound output, the overall sound i quite like...the Sony's not bad but seems a bit lacking...the N1 unit i prefer over the N10 for similar reasons...even though you can muck around with the VPT Sound settings on the N10 (kinda like diff EAX environments on creative cards) and even use the custom EQ i still think that the N1 sounds nicer...more stronger output...ok enough with sound i'll get on with it...N1 unit is a nice unit overall, though not as small or light as the N10 it does indeed sound a lot louder and alos has a better battery life than the N10 relying on a more readily available NiMH gumstick battery...N10 is the 10th anniversary unit from Sony and meant to be something special...in terms of looks and design i would say yes...the internal Li-Ion battery is something i kind of dislike due to the fact that it doesn't last very long (plus it's very low capacity ~340mAh as opposed to the 1400mAh NiMH gumstick on the N1)...both are fine units in their own right...backlit remotes feature on both as well as a 3 line display (N1 has a slightly darker text colour (black) than the N10 (grey)) with a jog dial, (and both are plagued with similar NetMD related problems see forum threads for more details on problems with the two units that users have encountered)...DR580 has a backlit remote, 1-bit digital amp (1st of it's kind on a portable and very very impressive), very functional dock with input and output connectors onboard, thin + light with good battery life, very simple and practical recording features (which i doubt u'd have much use for but it's there nonetheless) and trademark Sharp kick ass signature sound output (8mW per channel as opposed to Sony's 5mW per channel)...and being the newest unit out of the line up it is a very tempting unit (for me anyway)