I don’t want something I have to deal with some software like iTunes for and would rather plug in the device into any computer and move files and have the player automatically recognize it.
Want to use it when going for runs. Audio jack and Bluetooth support is a must. No need for anything else fancy
Edit: I came across the SanDisk 16GB Clip Sport Plus MP3 Player. Seems like it might be what I’m looking for. Anyone have any other simple mp3 players with Bluetooth support they recommend?
VLC. Plays literally everything. Will try and play things that aren’t even media files. Sometimes succeeds.
I guess I need to add some other details. I meant a hardware mp3/flac device. Like old school ipods.
There’s a VLC Android app. So, an old android phone would probably do the trick.
I almost thought you meant software as well…flac isn’t particularly in the old school category. In fact old school ipods couldn’t play flac.
I’d imagine you wouldn’t find a lot of support for it without as someone else said, going into alternative firmware.
Yeah, was wondering if maybe there had been some budget audiophile compact options that were no bigger than the size of ipod Nanos that were lurking around.
So not old school, but at least old school in not being a smart device.
Any old Android device should work. It’ll be easiest if the device supports MTP, but USB mass storage should also work. Programs like Rhythmbox will pick up on the device automatically and you can drag&drop music onto it.
Hoping something more compact, since don’t really want to carry around a smartphone sized device while running.
You could look at the Sansa mp3 player. It’s pretty small, and was still manufactured a few years ago when I bought it. It’s likely available used if they finally axed it.
Yeah I came across one sansa that has Bluetooth. It’s a shame these dumb device mp3 players got phased out. I found myself wanting one for when I don’t want to carry around a phone for something more compact while still delivering good quality sound.
I bought a cheap ‘mp3 player’ from eBay when I was trying to use my phone less, but it was rubbish: no library function (just the files, listed in the order they were copied), m4a support was limited to low-complexity), Bluetooth dropped if I moved my head.
I was surprised, because there’s definitely system-on-a-chip + open-source software combinations that would make a good, cheap player. The kind of places that make them though, will always prefer to use even-cheaper components than what the final retail price would suggest.
So, because everyone uses their phone for music listening now, it’s hard to get a dumb player. They’re either rubbish, like I bought, or they’re completely at the other end of the scale (as in more expensive than a phone)
SanDisk is certainly the way to go. They literally make an mp3 player specifically for your use case.
I would Google around budget audiophile mp3 player and see if there is something else that might fit your preference better.
I’m quite fond of my Agptek player. Add in a micro SD card to get an extra 256 GB, and I’m all set.
