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Karma = dead, so Creative Zen or Samsung YH-J70?
david 2007-11-01, 12:04 #1
Member since Sep 2006 · 6 posts · Location: Quebec, Canada
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Subject: Karma = dead, so Creative Zen or Samsung YH-J70?
Just last week my Karma, which I got in October or November 2003, was playing on the bus commute and it shut off after only about 7 minutes. The battery is dead. And I would replace it, but the unit has other problems (I want a bigger hard drive, my volume buttons to work, my scrollwheel to scroll properly, etc.) This was quite emotional as it was the best little mp3 player I could hope for, except the body of it breaking all the time. I remember the first time I opened its package and saw it in the parking lot of the UPS center.

So I won a 30 GB Creative Zen on e-bay, and I was considering also the Samsung YH-J70 which is also 30 GB. I lost the Samsung auction. Right now my Karme is sitting in its dock in my room, as it can no longer be without its power cord.

When will I find a worthy replacement for it? (I'll update you on the Zen when it gets here)
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RubenNYC 2007-11-01, 17:12 #2
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My condolences on your loss.  The Karma w/dock might still work great as a car player. :)
Sean Michael Taylor #21 (1983-2007). Thank you for giving it everything you had. Rest In Peace.
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cbc 2007-11-02, 10:38 #3
User title: Jr.Karmologist
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Zen is bigger, software clunkier, and only plays 2 or 3 formats. But ..has user replaceable battery
I have a Nomad Zen Xtra 30GB. It just sits there... ;-)

Have you considered getting a used Karma or parts to fix yours on fleabay?
John30_06 2007-11-02, 16:17 #4
Member since Nov 2006 · 342 posts · Location: Heartland U.S.
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Here's one on ebay with about 3 hours to go- (it's 5:00 + Central Time now) that's so far slipped thru the cracks. I've bought 2 from him, 1st one was in excellent shape except for the Hard drive- as he advertises- 2nd one should arrive in a day or 2.
 Pick one up, throw your HdDrive in it, and 10 minutes later, keep on truckin'.

http://tinyurl.com/2ncqse
david 2007-11-05, 11:02 #5
Member since Sep 2006 · 6 posts · Location: Quebec, Canada
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Actually the point was to increase my HD space to 30 gb this time, so the Karma won't do anymore. I was thinking of DIYing both the hard dive and the battery, but I've taken apart my Karma before with mixed results. I actually won now both a Samsung and a Zen, both 30gb so I'll try em and sell the loser. Hope I make a quick buck. Also considering selling my Karma but unwilling to let go yet.

Thanks for the suggestions
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mrk (Moderator) 2007-11-23, 10:10 #6
User title: Watchman
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You can, with relative ease, put a 30GB HDD into a karma. And by "relative ease", I mean that there's no dremeling or soldering to be done. Plug and play :D.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
John30_06 2007-11-23, 16:35 #7
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Quote by mrk:
You can, with relative ease, put a 30GB HDD into a karma. And by "relative ease", I mean that there's no dremeling or soldering to be done. Plug and play :D.

That's if you can find one that's 7mm. If you know of a source for them, please publish the URL. I think I saw some at a supply house online, but they were not cheap.
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mrk (Moderator) 2007-11-23, 19:02 #8
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Here? It's the HTC426030G7AT00, if you want to look for it yourself.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
david 2007-11-23, 20:04 #9
Member since Sep 2006 · 6 posts · Location: Quebec, Canada
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In reply to post #6
Well I got a Creative Zen and Samsung, both 30 gig players. Aesthetically and physically the Samsung is very beautiful and most pleasing. But the software and firmware are awful. Why oh why did they decide to use Windows Media Player as the main interface?

I have used the Creative Zen and have found it almost as good as the Karma. There's a few things missing, like a propoer insert/append menu, and of course gapless playback. The menu grew on me as I learned to use it better.

Neither of these players are still nearly as good as the Karma was an an audio device, of course. But they have made me realize that although i would repeat buying a new Karma in an instant, it is quite an ugly device.
Both players have a better screen. The Samsung's is VERY bright, and also has very high quality. These two players both require attachments for connecting to anything. Neither of them has direct line out, or standard USB connections on the player itself. Some of the controls on the Samsung feel a bit fragile, like the centre button and the hold switch, but not as fragile as the Karma's control buttons and wheel was. The Zen feels very solid, but is still a bit of a brick.

I attached some pics so you can see:

[Image: http://static.sxc.hu/s/sa/saturnsc/910219_45235818.jpg]
[Image: http://static.sxc.hu/s/sa/saturnsc/910220_17070573.jpg]
[Image: http://static.sxc.hu/s/sa/saturnsc/910217_97469376.jpg]
[Image: http://static.sxc.hu/s/sa/saturnsc/910218_51215484.jpg]
John30_06 2007-11-23, 20:17 #10
Member since Nov 2006 · 342 posts · Location: Heartland U.S.
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In reply to post #8
Quote by mrk:
Here? It's the HTC426030G7AT00, if you want to look for it yourself.

That picture must be wrong. The drive should look exactly like the 20's,  although the part # is right and that price does seem ballpark like what I recall for the drive...i.e. pricey.
  However, assuming it's the right drive, wrong pic,  the price might be worth it since as you say, you can just drop that puppy in, format, and wallah, new improved Karma in 5-10 minutes. Plus, the 'G' series are alot better in all respects, from what I've seen.

 I saw a guy on ebay with some new 60's for $200, but of course 9.5mm. For those who don't like the case hack  I did, I'd recommend getting a thinner battery like Jimmy, never mind about adding a jack. I'd estimate 4-6 hour playtime with a tinier battery, but that's totally ballpark, no science or statistics.
 I wonder if with all the miniaturization why they can't build a thinner, stronger battery the same way as everything else......?
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mrk (Moderator) 2007-11-23, 20:21 #11
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I was thinking that that drive looked wrong, too. I suppose it is :P. But... if it is the right one (with the wrong picture), and you really want the Karma goodness... you can't go wrong.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
John30_06 2007-11-24, 08:01 #12
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Ayep. I looked again and that was a stock photo of a 2.5" Toshiba.  frankly, 30 is damn near enough in a DAP, imho.
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LycoLoco 2007-11-24, 14:02 #13
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Quote by John30_06:
Ayep. I looked again and that was a stock photo of a 2.5" Toshiba.  frankly, 30 is damn near enough in a DAP, imho.

Ya know, I used to think that 20 was enough, but now with FLAC and auto synching my new bittorrent tracks to the Gigabeat, I don't know anymore. I'm still not sure where the 40 gigs have gone...
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