iRiver H140 dead - suggestions for replacement?

[capt_cornflake]

After nearly 4 years of faithful service my iRiver H140 finally appears to be dead.
The battery has been gradually getting worse and worse recently, and after attempting to replace it the hard drive is now not recognised.
A few posts on the Rockbox forums suggest the problem may involve a bit of fine soldering to resolve (a bit beyond me i think)

So I'm after a replacements any suggestions gratefully received.

My Must Haves:

• At least 40 Gb capacity (preferably more)
• mp3 and ogg playback
• gapless playback - at least with ogg, mp3 is a bit more of an issue
• Decent battery life
• Drag and Drop interface - no itunes or the like
• Decent construction - nothing that seems cheap and plasticky
• Decent DAC

And Nice to Haves:

• Ability to Rockbox (been using it for a while and it's great. Would be nice to continue if possible)
• In line recording
• better screen than H140 (doesn't narrow the field much)
• On board recording
• FM tuner
• Something that is still on the market - I don't really want to get a 2nd hand player unless I really have to

[dmuz]

I was looking to replace my H140 a while ago and couldn't find many non-ipod alternatives. The only one I could find was the Cowon iAudio X5 which meets most of the requirements you list, including rockbox support. However bear in mind I don't have one, so can't recommend it personally.

http://www.cowonglobal.com/

£255 at amazon, though you can find it cheaper no doubt
http://www.amazon.co.uk/iAudio-X560-.../dp/B0009D5J7C

I didn't consider the Creative lineup cos they're not drag and drop (have to use buggy, crappy Creative s/w). In the end I decided to keep the H140 for a bit longer hth

[capt_cornflake]

In the end after scouting around a bit I decided that the in line recording and radio weren't that important and ordered for a Toshiba Gigbeat F40, which I'm currently waiting to arrive.

Out of the box it looks shockingly bad, but it looks like a very good candidate for Rockbox.

The X5 did look good though (and appears to do everything the H140 does out of the box), but I in the end I really didn't like the idea of having to use a separate subpack every time it needed charging or hooking up to PC.

I just wish keeping my existing player was an option, still I managed to get a bit of cash for it, even knackered to put toward it's replacement.

[directhex]

Originally Posted by capt_cornflake

In the end after scouting around a bit I decided that the in line recording and radio weren't that important and ordered for a Toshiba Gigbeat F40, which I'm currently waiting to arrive.

Out of the box it looks shockingly bad, but it looks like a very good candidate for Rockbox.

The X5 did look good though (and appears to do everything the H140 does out of the box), but I in the end I really didn't like the idea of having to use a separate subpack every time it needed charging or hooking up to PC.

I just wish keeping my existing player was an option, still I managed to get a bit of cash for it, even knackered to put toward it's replacement.

good choice!

want my gigabeat build of rockbox with album art and a smarter settings reset procedure built in?

[toolsong]

The X5 + Rockbox is fantastic.

I understand your thoughts about the separate dock but mine has been no problem and I've made a couple of these:

http://iaudiophile.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3782

Unfortunately you've already said soldering is out...

[dmuz]

Originally Posted by capt_cornflake

Toshiba Gigbeat F40...
Out of the box it looks shockingly bad, but it looks like a very good candidate for Rockbox.

Man, that is one fugly piece of kit

This thread renewed my interest in the X5 so I asked my bro to bring one back from the states next month - only £130 for the 60gb one

[directhex]

Originally Posted by dmuz

Man, that is one fugly piece of kit

This thread renewed my interest in the X5 so I asked my bro to bring one back from the states next month - only £130 for the 60gb one

he's talking about the software, which has zero codec support, and only plays back encrypted files transferred with the "gigabeat room" app

the player itself is quite nice in the flesh

[dmuz]

Originally Posted by directhex

he's talking about the software,

Yeah maybe, but that doesn't stop it being fugly.

which has zero codec support, and only plays back encrypted files transferred with the "gigabeat room" app

Wow, not at all restrictive then. Cross off 2 of the "must haves" listed by the OP! Does installing RB make it a drag and drop player?

the player itself is quite nice in the flesh

I'll have to take your word for that