Hy guys, I need a recommendation for an MP3/WMA player to replace my old Archos. I really want to replicate the way the Archos works but have not been able to find anything that does, and it seems impossible to get detailed info on how the wide variety of players actually work.

My Archos has all the features listed below but the new players I have tried at the cheaper end of the market all seem to have the same type of OS and list everything either Alphabetically or by some MP3 tag or other and either repeat the same selected album or just stop at the end of the album and they are driving me mad.

 

It must play album tracks in ‘Album Order’ not alphabetical or by some other MP3 tag order – very important as some albums tell a story and must be listened to in original track order.

 

It must also play the next album when it finishes playing the one selected rather than either stop or repeat the same album tracks.

 

Ideally it should store, list and access Albums in the order I load them on to the unit rather than just list them alphabetically.

 

It should have a reasonable size screen with an easy to use menu system.

 

Can anyone recommend a player that has these features.

 

Update

 

Only need 8-16gb, but will buy larger if they have the required features

 

Have spent hours checking players from £10 - £180 and all seem to store/play in similar ways, some even suggest using 3rd party S/W to edit file tags to get them to play in the order required - WTF

 

Albums should always play in Album order - War of the Worlds, language courses etc, what use is alphabetical sequencing

Edited 17 January, 20179 yr by octavia5

What is your budget?

Not really an issue but would prefer not have something beginning with 'i' - functionality is the issue in the end

Depends on the size of storage as well.

Also do consider the use of cashback sites such as Quidco and Topcashback, to reduce the bill.

http://www.advancedmp3players.co.uk/shop/

Also try Richer Sounds, Apple Store.

Edited 17 January, 20179 yr by TheWanderer

Just a thought - I no longer use a dedicated MP3 player and have a 64gb SD card in my Android HTC and the built in Google Music app. Haven't found anything it doesn't do yet and reads all my MP3's in the correct order...

Yes there are other options but I am really looking for something small and light that my wife (a non techy) and I can use, the Archos has done us proud for 10 years but nothing I can find has the same functionality or user interface, and none seem to be a step forward, just backward and more difficult to navigate - its just that replacement batteries are no longer available for the Archos and I doubt the 1inch 20gb hard disc will last much longer anyway.

In all honesty I would just buy a cheap pay as you go Android mobile phone and stick a memory card in.

The built in music player will be good but you also then have the choice of downloading any number of apps to help play and organise your music. Also have the choice of other music through Spotify which is free on WiFi and internet radio.

You could even get an Archos one:

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/5217496

Forgot to say you can use it without a SIM card which would obviously save battery power with it not being connected to the phone network.

You can connect to Bluetooth headphones and even pair it up with your car?

I used to use a SanDisk clip. Excellent sound, small, cheap, expandable by micro sd card. They do various permutations on the basic theme so you can probably find something to suit.

I also had a SanDisk player which was good until the wife ran over it with her car.

 

I've also used a Sony Walkman that was good but stopped working with newer versions of Windows.

 

The tricky bit will be to get one that will play tracks in the order you specify. If you've ripped them with a track number at the front you'll be ok but otherwise it might be a bit of a struggle.

 

I was also going to suggest a cheap android phone, for the same reasons that you'll have a wide choice of apps to replay the music on.

 

Something cheap from China might even do the trick. Amazon has dozens of random Mp3 players for under £20.

Yes there are other options but I am really looking for something small and light that my wife (a non techy) and I can use, the Archos has done us proud for 10 years but nothing I can find has the same functionality or user interface, and none seem to be a step forward, just backward and more difficult to navigate - its just that replacement batteries are no longer available for the Archos and I doubt the 1inch 20gb hard disc will last much longer anyway.

 

Make up a new battery yourself (or search oinline and fine a compatible one???)

Hi Octavia5. I also live "Nr. Wellingborough" and had the same problem as you when my mp3 player gave up the ghost. However, I solved the problem by taking one of my old Nokia N8 phones, stripping out extraneous apps and having only the music player as the single app on the homescreen. This makes a brilliant alternative to the mp3 player, even better in my view. The screen is far better than on the mp3 player, the battery life is very long, you can connect via 3.5mm cable or Bluetooth, the phone has 16Gb storage and a microsd card slot to add more if required. Songs can be added by drag and drop from Windows and the Nokia Music app sorts them into album/genre/artist, or whatever and album art is shown. As it happens I have another spare N8 phone so if you are interested, for the price of 1 beer token, send me a PM.

Have a collection of 4 different Chinese players from Amazon, all cheapish, all good sound, but all seem to have the same frustrating OS.

 

Was reluctant to try and fit a new battery to the Archos as its 1 inch HD is now over 15 years old and I am surprised it has lasted this long, but have found a cheap battery I can fit externally with a bit of recovering to keep me going till I can find a new player which does what I want.

 

Have an old Sony Ericson Slide phone which has the menu system I want and has great sound, with a clip on stereo speaker system, but it is really heavy in the pocket so not ideal.

 

Thanks to everyone for their ideas, but still nothing that perfect for me, guess thats progress.

Edited 18 January, 20179 yr by octavia5