As per title really. I’m looking for a new small music player that will play MP3 and FLAC files. Preferably that takes a large SD card, otherwise has at least 128gb of storage. I want to be copying files directly on to it in a file browser and for them to play in the right order (I have a player that plays in the order the files were copied on to it, which is full on madness). I have no interest in iTunes and I run Linux as my computer OS.
Also needs to be less than £100.
And I really mean no wireless functionally at all, I don’t mean “includes Bluetooth but it can be turned off”.
Build your own? Given the constraints, that might actually be more viable than you’d think. Keep in mind, you could disable or even block radio transmitters to comply with whatever your environment is.
I did this with a Pi Zero once. It’s a fun project if you have the aptitude for it.
Think you would likely have to scour garage sales and used buy/sell sites for one of those ancient portable mp3 player devices. I remember the old iRiver devices did support FLAC natively but that was before 128GB storage existed so no idea how something like that would behave when you stick in a 128+ GB SD card into it.
The other tricky part is that something that old/used may have a worn out battery so any device with a built-in battery may not stay on for very long.
The other comment makes a good point, starting out you should focus on anything that https://www.rockbox.org/ supports since that’ll give you FLAC support. (besides the Archos, apparently it is impossible to play FLAC on those https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/WhyRockbox.html).
The other tricky part is that something that old/used may have a worn out battery so any device with a built-in battery may not stay on for very long.
If you can solder, you might be able to replace old batteries.
Honestly, if you think about all the increasingly-aging hardware out there with built-in rechargeable batteries…given that some people would like to use them, the way there are people who like vintage hardware from earlier decades, there have to be some people out there who must specialize in replacing internal batteries.
sound waves are a form of wireless transmission, better make sure to not connect any kind of speaker to it
Someone works for hezbollah and doesn’t want his music player blowing up unexpectedly
AGPTEK U3 USB Stick Mp3 Player, 40GB Music Player Supports Replaceable AAA Battery, Recording, FM Radio, Expandable Up to 128GB
Follow up question, why do you need music?
iPod 5th gen (aka Video), flash modded and with Rockbox.
If going without Rockbox, Rhythmbox on Linux can upload mp3-s to the stock iPod but (IIRC) not flacs.
I just did this in the last year, it’s a solid recommendation. I did the HD swap with some microsd cards, too
Yes, iFlash is the best IMO, though a bit on the expensive side.
The tutorial can be found either on YouTube or iFixit.
OP most likely works in a SCIF - where such restrictions are pretty common.
TL;DR OP is a fed or fed contractor
Wouldn’t it still count like a USB stick though?
If you need flac, absolutely NO radio, and wired headphones… I’d look at old devices that support flashing the Rockbox custom firmware. You can probably find something used with over 128GB storage for under your price point.
Rockbox supports almost any audio type you can imagine (flac, mp3, wma, chiptune formats like spc and nsf, tracker formats like xm and it, anything). It beats out the old click wheel iPod OS in terms of functionality. Playlists, construct a temp playlist while listening to other music, shuffle the playlist, shuffle the queue, shuffle a subsection, play all songs, play albums, play all by an artist, play all in a genre tag, etc. Everything you could expect and probably more.
Ever wanted to play Doom on crappy mp3 player controls? How about a janky proof of concept GameBoy emulator?
Rockbox is deeply customizable, but that also includes themes that mimic the default old school iPod OS or other old MP3 players if you want simplicity. It connects to a computer as a standard flash drive. No software needed for sync, no stupid MTP protocol making file transfers take stupidly long.
I think that it does support a few devices with FM radio, so you’d have to check that. The Sansa Clip Plus suggestion someone else made is one of the supported devices with FM radio. There’s an incredibly slight chance it supports some device with Bluetooth, but take a look at the project site and tell me if you really think it does. I’d be shocked.
Also, probably outisde of your price range, but old iPod Classics don’t have FM hardware, and up to 6th gen support flashing Rockbox as the OS. Apparently storage size limit is right at 128GB though, from a quick search. So you’d have less after the OS install. Would also probably have more available replacement parts like batteries and expanded storage mods. Either way you are probably looking at something used.
I have a hard time imagining there also isn’t an existing small market for mp3 players for secure facilities or for prisons that would have devices with the limitations you’re looking for. Probably not nice prices or feature sets though.
Shockingly, if that market exists, it doesnt advertise itself. Otherwise they’d be making bank off the DoD and anybody else with restricted device policies.
Its not exactly a complicated device to produce afaik, either;
- internal storage
- no recording capability (camera/microphone)
- no wireless capability (no antenna whatsoever)
- analog audio output
- bonus points for a non-data-carrying charging port (aka, barrel power connector, not USB) so you can charge it in a SCIF (USB cables not permitted).
If you’re fine buying slave-labor import, I found a “MECHEN M30 HiFi MP3 Player” on AliExpress for about $45 USD. Pretty good reviews all things considering. No wireless that I can tell, headphone jack out.
These kinds of standalone “hifi” portable media players will be the only things that support memory cards and “no wireless” like you’re asking for. And even then a lot of them include Bluetooth, if not just for remote control support, as well as audio out.
Looks like a good option. Thank you
Of course.
Keep in mind YMMV on their firmware. People seem to be happy with it but I don’t own one so I cannot say how well it will perform, but I am at least assuming it can handle normal Playlist sorting and other things you need.
deleted by creator
Based on your requirements, your best bet is to hum to yourself.
If this is a normal restriction at your office, would other people who work in that environment have solutions?
Just buy a Walkman and enjoy your life
New?
I highly doubt that exist.
Mainstream?
Nope.
Best recommendation off of the top of my head?
Used iPod mini that you flashmod and put Rockbox on it. then you put the files directly on it from what I can tell.
The lack of hardware BT and WiFi is too restrictive of requirenments these days, and to be honest I don’t see the point of such a restriction, but eh, I am not the one looking for a device like that.
Isn’t stock iPod OS good enough? I remember it being instanteneous for things like playing next songs, or switching albums. That’s what I never experienced ever again. For YouTube Music it sometimes takes few seconds to play the next songs and it drives me crazy.
OP didn’t want iTunes
yep, commoditization + SOC means youre not going to find this hardware with no radio. op is looking for a unicorn or an antique.
