Semi-short and to the point, most reviewers see this as being a superior product, I agree. Some express concern about the quality of sound output and that's the main reason for my authoring this additional review.
If one reads the manual bundled with the player it's easy to glance over the sound output options but they're important features to note. There are three different basic sound settings, one standard and two enhanced. For those having trouble hearing, 1) use headphones (the only logical way to limit background noise and 2) use the "Dialog" mode for sound output, you will find this makes all the difference in clarity and output volume in most cases. A few other reviewers have mentioned noise cancelling headphones. I'f you're spending this kind of money on a portable player the additional dollars may put you over the top. If you're willing to go all out, look into the Bose offering, a bit on the spendy side but wow do they work well.
This is a wonderful unit, look no further.DC
