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”.
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.
AGPTEK U3 USB Stick Mp3 Player, 40GB Music Player Supports Replaceable AAA Battery, Recording, FM Radio, Expandable Up to 128GB
Just buy a Walkman and enjoy your life
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).
Yeah this isn’t a bad idea. Especially if you get one that supports MP3 files on a CD, you can have several hours of material on one CD-R.
I wrote a little blog post about my experiences trying a variety of different alternatives to just streaming music like most people do. Using players that support physical formats has been a very fun way to expand my music taste in unexpected ways.
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
You don’t need iTunes to upload music to iPod, although it’s still not as user friendly as opening it as regular storage device.
yep, commoditization + SOC means youre not going to find this hardware with no radio. op is looking for a unicorn or an antique.
I specifically remember getting Linux to load music on my iPod Nano during my Ubuntu phase. There’s got to be a way to do that still, but i understand the frustration.
Maybe a generic player like those old generic USB MP3 Players? Nothing i found comes with 128GBs of space unless it also has Bluetooth or some wireless functionality.
If all else fails just get an old Android phone and don’t use the wireless features if you find one with an audio jack.
The closest you’re going to find is probably the SanDisk Sansa Clip+. It can receive FM, but IIRC no wireless other than that. I don’t think it’s made new any more but you should be able to find it for less than £100 online.
I came to suggest a clip too! Loved those things
deleted by creator
Sorry, FM is out too, I didn’t even think of that when I wrote the post.
Ok, now you are just being ridiculous.
This is clearly a troll thread.
Based on the comment saying
Can’t have it in the office.
I don’t think this is a troll. I think OP works in a high-security setting, or around extremely sensitive equipment. I’m leaning toward the latter because I wouldn’t expect an SD card to be allowed in a high-security setting.
An FM receiver is purely passive. I mean there might be places with rules against it, but why? It doesn’t influence or affect anything…
That is an absolute possibility, I had hoped OP would respond with something line:
“I work with highly sensitive equipment, radios can cause then to report inaccurate data, so no radios!”
My guess is OP works in a max security or super max prison.
Do you think an FM radio is enough to be banned from a SCIF?
I have a friend who occasionally works in a SCIF. My impression is that a radio receiver would probably be allowed, but an SD card would not. That’s what makes me suspect it has to do with sensitive equipment, though I’d be a little surprised any electronic equipment not explicitly vetted is allowed in that situation.
I don’t know exactly what you’re avoiding wireless for, but it has no ability to transmit, only receive FM if that matters. You could fairly easily disconnect/break the antenna and permanently disable even that.
Why? I am curious now.
I’ve had 3 Sansa Clip+ players. I never even accidentally switch to FM. I understand why your workplace bans Bluetooth. Mine does as well. Do they also ban the FM tuner?
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?
Based on your requirements, your best bet is to hum to yourself.
Someone works for hezbollah and doesn’t want his music player blowing up unexpectedly
🤣
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, 256gb microSD support, 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.
I’d suggest looking at small embedded computers and hats for them to fit your objective.
Since you’re familiar with Linux, I’m thinking an Arduino might work out. There’s probably a better way but I’m imagining you configuring it to work like a USB drive and dropping in playlist files along with your music and using the hat to select your preferred playlist like a homemade iPod.
You’ll want to avoid the generic junk mp3 players online since there’s no way to be certain it’s free of radio chips before detailed inspections. Since that stuff is typically pumped out with whatever junk was available that day.
If this is a normal restriction at your office, would other people who work in that environment have solutions?
A cassette walkman
An all-in-one modern solution for that: https://www.wearerewind.com/
(The Fiio CP13 is better, but it doesn’t have recording functionality)I have a WM-EX631. I dont trust anything made after 94 thats not Sony. 2004 is my absolute cutoff.
I’m jealous, that sounds like a very nice unit. Unfortunately it’s hard for me to trust used portable machines like that one if I can’t verify they work beforehand. I’m sure it sounds much better than the newer units though.
There is still a trove on EBay and Etsy. They’re just expensive. Just make sure theres pictures, the seller mentions its tested, and you have 200-400 bucks you’ve luckily come into.
The only issue mine has is it sometimes flips to the other side of the tape automatically before reaching the end. Though I think thats operator error somehow.
How do I transfer my FLAC files on to it?
You need a male-male 3.5mm audio cable…
You dont without effort, but theres not really any modern Walkmans that dont connect to WiFi. You are pretty much limited to cassette and disc Walkman, maybe a minicd player. You could burn your FLACs to a CD if you wanted. I’ve looked at a few modern Walkmans and they are basically shitty android devices, a phone with a 3.5mm jack would be better.
