Hey guys,

I got to this thread through Google, go figure. I have one of these units. I got it on ebay. It is pretty cool. I like it so far. BUT (there is always a but huh?) Apparently I bought a "preview" mod that someone was supposed to be previewing. There is no software to transfer the music. I know it is built on Linux. I can access the drive it is full of idx, dbm, and mp3 files. The mp3 files seem to be encoded at 128 but I can hear a tinny sound when there played....anyway that is not important....the files are named 6-0000001b.mp3 like that.....You guys have any idea how I can get music to this thing? I would love to get ahold of the beta software.....

ANY help would be great....

Biff

Wow, the reverse is true for me. I find that lately I listen to a CD before buying it. Also because I'm lazy, go figure.

I managed to listen to the last Charlatans album well before I found it available locally for instance (doesn't help that they don't have a NA record deal).

It's also easier to organize things on the empeg than with physical media. You don't want to see the mess of CDs I have stacked all over the place, not to mention my two large CD cabinets with discs all out of order (that I haven't sorted since moving last year).

Bruno

Most of the stuff I buy I buy on speculation at the record store. They have listening stations for a lot of stuff and good recommendations. Not to mention that I couldn't find most of the stuff I listen to these days on P2P sites anyway, even if I tried really hard.

Oh yeah, don't hijack threads, just start a new one....

Just out of interest where did you get this unit from? Did it come with a sled, a box, a remote, any cables? Sounds slightly dodgy to me.....

Oh no, now we've got a Biff and a Bitt on the board.

Is there a Bill to complete the trifecta?

Sorry, I read his post and assumed he mean't an empeg. Oh well, he's in the right thread, although sadly in the wrong forum.....

Can't help with the software but I would love to see some pictures of the unit.

Biff,

According to the website it can work "PC free". i.e. the concept was it could rip it's own CDs. i.e. put the CD in and it has a CDDB database already loaded and it does all the ripping/tagging/naming for you.

I was flipping through a new PC Magazine today and saw a full page, color ad for this.

I have to admit, when I saw that, I was thinking to myself "That's all it would have taken... one full page ad like this and the empeg would have been a hot product." Dont' waste time advertising to the audio snobs. Get the computer geek squad interested in it. Those are the people that spend $400 on a PC power supply!

This thing looks pretty good, but I agree there's a big lack of info. At the very least, when empeg was small they had actual information () on their site, not some dumb-ass "experience" flash animation that does nothing but show an animated convertible driving though different locales. How stupid are the people running this company? When I saw the "experience" button I thought "great, it's a crappy flash site, but at least I'll get one of those virtual product tours." No dice.

I also have a question about the specs on the purchase page. It says "Capacities: 2GB*, 20GB (CDDB preinstalled)." What does that mean? Specifically, what's the "2GB*"

And Biff, you could try emailing the support address on Estone's website (techsupport@estone-tech.com).

Anyway, while nothing is going to match the empeg in terms of quality and software, I agree that if anything could replace my empeg, this wouldn't be bad. I think one of the other important points to note is that it has a built-in amp, which I think was a big turn-off for a lot of geeks. I agree with you Brad, but I still think that the empeg was in a tough position. The car audiophiles didn't get the whole computer aspect, and the computer geeks refused to pay $1500 or more for a car stereo once you factored in the cost of an external amp and the installation.

Anyway, once the product picks up, we'll have to see what people say about it. Biff, what's your opinion on the quality of the device? Does it feel solidly built, or does it seem like cheaper plastic? If I bought something for that price, and the shiny "metal" finish started scraping off the knobs, I'd be pissed.

Lastly, I think there's one thing that's agreed, no product can ever create a following that could replace the empeg boards.

Using the Estone is like reading a Chinese menu written in Mandarin when you only understand German. Damn, what a piece of crap interface. The empeg has its faults, but there's obviously not anyone interested in coming out with something *really* usable.

Bruno

I saw this unit at CES last week. And weak it was. Damn, it's ugly as sin. Destined for failure I believe. Especially with the ipod connection systems getting better all the time. Clarion now has iPod support on their in-car LCD (Macworld this week). The interface looks like garbage (further confirming Japanese companies don't know anything about interface design). But then you have choices from Dension (IceLink) and a new Monster Cable interface product. iPod will become the defacto in-car MP3 standard if it has not already.

Bruno