Hello all,

First time poster, I've had a NEO 35 1st gen for just over a year now and last week it broke! SSI is taking forever to get back to me. And I just noticed the price drop on the Rio Car. I've always wanted one since it came out as the empeg even the Mk. 1 but it was way too much for me.

My question is where can I order this in Canada and how much would I expect to pay in duty? There must be someone from Canada on this board.. hehe :)

Just an FYI I'm planning on selling my NEO35 if/when I get it fixed.

Also how much better is the Empeg/ Rio Car compared to the NEo 35 for playing and finding a song?

I have 26GBs of mp3s on my Neo and I basically have it in Artist and Albums a directory for each Artist with a directory for each Album.. I'm assuming that the Rio Car can basically do the same thing?

I basically have it in Artist and Albums a directory for each Artist with a directory for each Album.. I'm assuming that the Rio Car can basically do the same thing?

Yes, and so much more! You have no idea how flexible it is. Go to www.riocar.org and read through the FAQ to get an idea of how it works.

You have two options - you can buy from the SONICblue eStore (which is in the USA) or you can buy from the International empeg store (which is in the UK). You pay in US dollars at the eStore or UK Pounds at the empeg store. Shipping will be cheaper from the eStore - and I suspect that the tax situation will be better as well (you will probably have to pay import duty if you buy from the UK).

The eStore is at http://store.sonicblue.com
The empeg store is at http://www.empeg.com/store/

Regards

Rob

On that note... Rob, are you at liberty to say how the stock is doing? Is there still a ton left or are they going quick? Or do you have access to that info at all.... just curious. =]

I read a post about the USA SonicBlue store not excepting Visa cards and such from outside the US. Have they fixed this problem?

Thanks
Ben

Time for that classic British comment of "but I thought Canada was in America"...

For my next trick I will accuse a New Zealander of coming from Australia (which tends to have a similar effect).

I thought it was Americans who believe that Canada is the second most northern State..

We know all about Canada in the UK - it's a bit like America except the population understand irony.

Rob

I have no idea what is sold and what is in stock at the eStore (which is, of course, where the majority of players are sold). At Empeg Towers we are selling players at a healthy rate, but have no shortage just yet.

Rob

I believe that the eStore may require a photocopy of your credit card (or perhaps your statement) if you are outside of the US. They certainly required this from me when I made a staff order!

The empeg store also asks for this from time to time.

Rob

For my next trick I will accuse a New Zealander of coming from Australia

They're already all over here anyway!

Hi Fasttrack!

I remember you from the Funmp3player.com bbs. I suppose you've read my post over there concerning the differences between Neo and Rio. I was once in the same situation as you were, but I decided to take the plunge. I have not regretted it one bit. In fact, I've ordered a second Rio in case anything ever should happen to the first one. I can't imagine that I would have ever done the same with the Neo.

Go for the Rio. While the Neo is comparable to a multi-multi-multi-Cd-changer, the Rio is so much more. You can actually organise your tracks, apply filters and playlists like your wouldn't believe and find every track you need in a heartbeat. Also, the quality is better, and the community behind it is much, much stronger. Take the time to read these forums for a coulple of days and you'll know what I mean.

Trust me, there is no comparing. (I you have any specific questions, feel free to ask)

Hey, I remember your nick Archeon but I didn't read your post on the Neo Forum... I hadn't visited the forum for about 4 months before my neo died.

I've always wanted a Empeg... now the price is about right ... For the 10GB model that is... Now what about upgrading hard drive? I've read that it can be done, but it voids the warranty.. From everything else I've read these players are built like rocks, so should I be concerned about opening them up?... I would of course use it for a couple of months without upgrading anything.

I've had enough with the NEO :) I had all sorts of problems with noise and stuff, and now I don't really know why it broke. So enough is enough.. Time for a Rio Car .. hehe

Thanks all

Two months ago I thought the same you did :
I bought the 10gig version, and added a 48gig IBM drive to it. It's not really that hard, just be a little careful when you're doing it. The FAQ Tony has written on it and that you can find on riocar.org and here in the FAQ section is really good and all you need to know really.

Last week the car2.harddisk builder utility got updated and should show no more problems with Rioplayers (or Empeg MK2a as most call them here) anymore. I had to do it the hard way since this utility didn't funtion correctly then with MK2a's, but you won't have that problem anymore

I had my player for a week before I did the upgrade. So yes, I voided the warranty. But the Empeg guys are real cool about that. See, I had forgotten that the harddisk cable is glued to the harddisk (to prevent it from falling off during transport), and I damaged the cable somwhat by pulling it too hard without removing the glue first. I contacted Empeg and they've sent me a new cable free of charge, despite me voiding the warranty! How cool is that?

I suppose if you don't do anything really stupid like breaking off a cap because of rude behaviour or opening up the player whilst the unit is playing and by that short-circuiting the thing, they will still help you if you're in trouble.

This is also one of the BIG reasons which made me decide to buy an Empeg. See, here the original designers of the product or somebody else from the company actually TALK to their customers and try to help them in every way they can. SSI could learn a thing or two from these guys!
When you've asked the Empeg guys something and they answer with "sorry, can't help you there", you can be absolutely sure they've done anything in their power to help you but it just can't be done.

So so yourself a favour : buy that Rio!

Ok I think I might go for it!

Archeon any idea how much I should be able to sell my Neo 35 for?
I have the Unit, Computer Dock, 2 car docks and the USB Home bay. I don't have a wired remote or anything.

I really like the fact the support for the Empeg is 100% better compared to SSI.

Also anyone know the exact width of the Fascia on the Mk2a?... I have a Taurus Wagon, and I want to make it'll fit. Of course if it doesn't i'll be doing some mods :)

Thanks again for all your help.

Good for you!

Erm... I sold mine for $650 last month, but of course that was the jukebox version of the Neo 35, with remote and all other stuff.
That USB home bay, is that the Neo 45 you're talking about? If you add that to the package, I would think you should be able to get $500 for it. Then whip up $200 onto that and tadaaaa : Riocar!

The width of the fascia is standard DIN size. If your Taurus can host a standard DIN aftermarket headunit, the Riocar will fit. If you want exact measurements, that's 18.6cm by 5.6 cm (or 7.3" by 2.2").

No problem, and I'm not only doing this for the sake of proving to you that the Empeg community really is the better one!

Now what about upgrading hard drive? I've read that it can be done, but it voids the warranty.. From everything else I've read these players are built like rocks, so should I be concerned about opening them up?...

There is a monolithic entry in the FAQ on this subject. Please check that out for all the details.

I already read that! Looks quite easy :) But I think I'll use it for a bit just to make sure it functions as designed, before I start upgrading it.. hehe

And yes i'm speaking of the NEO45. I'll get back to you when I place my order, probably tonight!

Hello Fast

I am in Windsor Ontario, did anyone answer your question about how much duty? If I remember correctly (I have had mine since March) I paid about $300 GST/PST for my machine on a cost of $2200 CDN. We don't pay duty because of free trade agreements with the UK but you will pay GST and the applicable PST for the province that the player arrives in/gets cleared through. As well, expect to pay a customs broker fee (I paid $30) for them to clear it through customs for you...I was kinda pissed at that but it was unavoidable if I wanted to get my player cleared...

John

Well I ordered mine tonight, from the eStore in the US. So I guess I'll get charged Duty.. gee I wonder what it'll be. What fun. I'm in Ontario as well

Well I ordered mine tonight, from the eStore in the US. So I guess I'll get charged Duty.. gee I wonder what it'll be.

Err, doesn't FT in NAFTA mean Free Trade? I imagined that this means rules similar to EU (i.e. no import duties, but normal sales/value-added/whatever tax)...

I much worse effect actually!!