Wired (non-portable) simple, cheap MP3 player

[jbartosh]

Hello group,

I have an in-home arrangement where I play my mp3's via an old PC and cheap PC speakers. The computer is moving and I'd like to cut the fuss of moving all the wires and extra power consumption by hooking up a simple MP3 player with audio out to my powered PC speakers. I can't believe there doesn't seem to be a simple solution for something like this available on the market??? If anybody knows of such an item, please let me know! I'd use my $10 portable mp3 player if I didn't want to waste AAA batteries all day (plug into good old AC power would be ideal). I wan't something that doesn't take up a ton of space, is quick to power on, and can be used with my current speakers. Any links or mfg part numbers would be great! Thanks!

[jagabo]

There are tons of iPod-like MP3 players that will accept external power.

[jman98]

Finding something that can work with your speakers is very unlikely. I'm not an expert on MP3 players so I can't say it's impossible, but I do think it will be very difficult and maybe it really will be impossible.

[loster]

Powered PC speakers will work with any headphone/line level type output. I would just buy any mp3 player that charges from usb and leave it connected to the charger while it is playing.

[jagabo]

Finding something that can work with your speakers is very unlikely.

He won't have any problem. In the worst case, where the headphone level are too loud for the speakers, he will just need some attenuators.

[jbartosh]

Thanks for the responses. I'll look into something like that and charge via a USB to AC plug. Ideally, if anybody could provide a link to a unit that can connect to USB without the need of a battery at all that would be awesome. It would be great if there was just a cheap hub with audio out that could accept SDHC or high capacity USB and playback with random file rotation. Anybody know of a unit that would fill that bill???

[smrpix]

Go to newegg.com, search by your requirements, read the user comments then google for a better price. You'll get much more specific advice that way.

[hello_hello]

I don't have it handy, but I bought a cheap MP3 player a while back (Laser brand) which I think will still play while it's connected to a USB charger. I know my "good" MP3 player won't, but I'm pretty sure the cheap one does.

Buy an MP3 player with a rechargeable battery, like a phone. They'll play for hours between recharges. I think mine's rated for something like 20 hours, and it's quite old now. Newer players might go much longer. Or buy some rechargeable AAA batteries. One set it the charger, one set in the player.

[jbartosh]

Yeah that's a great point, I've tried searching all morning and that's amongst some major questions in mind:

1. Which ones can play while connected via USB to an AC adapter in "charge mode"?
2. Which ones can support up to 16GB on usb, micro sd, or preferably sdhc? (many claim only 8GB support even with said inputs)
3. Which ones can play the files randomly?

Those are all necessary points - I really don't want to fool around with charging batteries. Amazing there isn't a product out there to specifically do what I'm looking for it to do.


Basically, I've found two popular variants (both Chinese) the mini portable speaker cubes and the "clip-on" micro-sd players. If anybody has experience with these or anything that will fill the 3 points above, please advise. Trying to look into higher end players than the above, all I get is more unnecessary features (video support, lcd displays, etc.) All I want it to do is play up to 16GB of music, while plugged into the wall with a simple audio output for my own speakers...

[jbartosh]

Do any of the car mp3 players (DC connection) have a headphone out or any type of 3.5mm audio OUTput? (All they care to advertise is audio-in for connecting ipods) That would work...

[loster]

You might be able to use Rockbox http://www.rockbox.org/ with an mp3 player to enable it to be connected to a charger any play music. This alternative firmware lets you add a number of features.

[jagabo]

Do any of the car mp3 players (DC connection) have a headphone out or any type of 3.5mm audio OUTput? (All they care to advertise is audio-in for connecting ipods) That would work...

Look for pre-amp outputs. Those will be line level, usually RCA connectors. You'll need a hefty 12V power supply to use an automotive head unit though.

Some of the SanDisk players have microSDHC slots. I think they accept up to 32 GB cards. I have one of the older devices without the microSDHC slot. It can run off USB power (short cable supplied). I plugged it into my amplified computer speakers (M-Audio AV-40) and it worked fine though the output level was lower than the computer. It does have a random (shuffle) playback mode. The tiny form factor and navigation aren't optimal for a home theater A/V setup.

[jman98]

Finding something that can work with your speakers is very unlikely.

He won't have any problem. In the worst case, where the headphone level are too loud for the speakers, he will just need some attenuators.

I did not know that and that was indeed my concern. Interesting.