Originally Posted by dangerous_dom
Actually the Sony players DO support gapless playback, even on the HD1. As for it being imposible for MP3 to be played gapless, actually it's more than posible. You can rip to a single file and use a CUE sheet. You can already play a long file on an ipod etc, but its pointless without CUE sheet support. It's a dead simple method and the new Rio was going to support it before they went bust. Also i believe both Iriver and Creative have mentioned it, but have not done anything yet. My squeezebox supports it. It's THE best method of ripping a CD. Apple's aproach is basically - get stuffed.
However, gapless playback can be achieved with MP3 now even with single files - the LAME encoder supports ripping without the padding frames old style MP3 rippers added which made things tricky. That said, the player would still need to be able to play them gaplessly too. But that MP3, the better formats such as Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, Wavepack etc have supported it from the begining. Does the iPod support any of those? No. Why? DRM issues mainly. Apple want to force people into to own apple player forever. All those people who buy from Itunes are in for a shock when they find out they can't play thier music on a non-apple product heh.
Ok, I'm going off at a tangent here, but basically get with the program Apple!
Because most reviewers dont seem to completely understand the technology and never sctratch deeper then the shiney white little surface.
But they all have issues. I'm not a Apple hater per say, they make loverly gear, but i would not buy an iPod. If you think gapless playback is not an issue for you, think angain. It will at some point to some degree. But TBH, there is not one DAP on the market i really want.