Intro

For quick context: I still use a digital music player (Sony Walkman NW-A45) frequently. I am not super fond of this player for reasons.

I have looked around for a while now, and I personally cannot find any suitable solutions (both new or old). I am curious if there exists anything that I might have missed, I would love to know about it.

The Short List:

  • Handles large media libraries
  • MicroSD Support
  • Preferably no network connectivity
  • Properly handles ID3 v2.4, Vorbis tags (A45 FAIL)
  • Handles album covers in a sensible manner (cover.png, embedded) (A45 FAIL)
  • Live play queue editing (A45 FAIL)
  • Preferably Sub-$300 USD
  • ClipperDefiance@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    1 month ago

    Have you tried Rockbox? It’s not a device, but an alternate firmware for a number of popular and obscure media players.

    My only other suggestion is picking up a slightly older Android phone and just leaving it in airplane mode. I like Vinyl Music Player. I think Vinyl does all the things you want.

    • jrgd@lemm.eeOPEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      Rockbox unfortunately is built with “dinosaurs” in mind. As a side effect, the project does not intend to properly handle modern ID3, Vorbis tags.

      I could use an older Android phone, but would have to find a suitable device to de-Google and load a custom music player app onto (such as Vinyl). Neither my Pixel XL nor Pixel 5a that I own currently are suitable targets (neither have microSD support, my Pixel XL has a damaged headphone jack and needs to be repaired). If you have any recommendations for something used that has a headphone jack, microSD slot, and can bootloader unlock via adb, let me know.

      • ClipperDefiance@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 month ago

        I did some research and the Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9+ (but only certain models, specifically the ones with Exynos processors) seems like a good option. They’re officially supported by /e/OS, have an SD slot that supports up to 400 GB, have a headphone jack, and can be easily found for under $300.

      • kamiheku
        1·
        1 month ago

        the project does not intend to properly handle modern ID3, Vorbis tags

        Which tags does it not intend to support? Not doubting you, just curious!

        • jrgd@lemm.eeOPEnglish
          2·
          1 month ago

          The explicit denial I saw is multi-genre, multi-artist in ID3 v2.4 I won’t be parsed.

          EDIT: The source.

          Rockbox will only pick up one of a tag (RIP Vorbis) and will only parse up to 500 bytes on higher end players, 240 bytes on other players of the grouped tag (RIP ID3 v2.4).