Hmm, I was not aware that iBasso used Android on their DX100. Its a shame that they apparently really did a poor job with the implementation. They most likely underestimated the necessary development that needs to go into making a good Android implementation. In fact, it is probably easier to build a basic system from scratch.

Rockbox is great but once again, I feel that it is just too limited in this day and age. I have very fond memories of my Sansa players with Rockbox but I don't think I could live with a player that is incapable of streaming music from the cloud.

So yeah, instead, I just use my Android phone. It drives my Amperior well enough and if I really do need that extra amping, I just use a FiiO E17 with the phone.

But then again, I am one of those people who think that 24/192 files are completely pointless for playback purposes. I am well aware of their benefits for the production of music, but not for playback.

Why are the Sony Walkmans never considered? Why the interest in these barely-functional bricks? They ain't exactly cheap. Just curious.

Sony lost a generation to Apple due to their obsession with Atrac and TERRIBLE software. I think the Walkman name barely even registers for most people. They probably still think of them as cassette players.

Honestly I can deal w/ pretty much any crap UI (w/ the exception of the DX100 bricking itself of course).  Long time PC user here, heh.  I usually find it stimulating to learn the 'character' of such devices and their various work arounds and what not to do.  I'm just waiting for something to unseat my Leckerton's amp performance.  It's not the DX100, the AK100/120, 801/901, anything Fiio, Sflo2, Cowon, Pico Power (comes close in high gain) or the last Sony I heard (older unit).  Just give me the best sound and you could use a broken abacus for the UI for all I care.

Yes, Sony has awoken a bit.  Fortunately Bluray won as it should have, they learned from Betamax.  If HDDVD won, Sony would have likely died since they were already on life support.  We'll see.

Yes, Sony has awoken a bit.  Fortunately Bluray won as it should have, they learned from Betamax.  If HDDVD won, Sony would have likely died since they were already on life support.  We'll see.

A bit yes, but much of the business is still in the red, and the days when Sony was any sort of tech leader are simply gone. The near term future belongs to the South Korean juggernauts, who will eventually have to contend with China in much the same way that Japan Inc had to deal with those pesky SK upstarts a generation ago.

The smaller Japanese firms are in big, big trouble. Sharp and Toshiba in particular are basically screwed.