RCA Lyra RD2315 512 MB Personal Digital Audio Player with Voice, Line-in and FM Recording Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I decided to replace my iRiver 190T after a 3rd party cable adapter malfunctioned and fused the pin connection to the USB cable together.I wanted USB 2.0 for the faster connection and a larger capacity, but still desired standard user replaceable batteries on a flash based player so I picked this up on sale.

I may still search for a used iRiver 190T after playing with the Lyra RD2315.I like the ruggedness of the 190T a bit more than the RCA Lyra RD2315.

Pros:
User replaceable AAA batteries
Expandable SD slot up to 512 MB
Decent sound for biking and general yard work
Screen is able to be positioned at 0 or 180 degrees for easy reading from belt clip/lanyard
Line in recording and voice for short memos
3 different color backlights for user preference
Decent battery life

Cons:
Headphones are worthless.Placing them in ear prevents clips from holding them in place
Slow reaction on interface compared to older iRiver player "Please Wait..."
Belt clip is going to break after minimal usage (like ink pen cap clips do)
Doesn't seem like USB 2.0 speed, just normal USB 1.1
No armband or case available

I used firmware 3.11 for my testing after upgrading from version 1.11.

Click Here to see more reviews about: RCA Lyra RD2315 512 MB Personal Digital Audio Player with Voice, Line-in and FM Recording

Product Description:
Nicely lightweight and easily pocketable, the RCA Lyra RD2315 flash memory digital audio player goes with you wherever you roam and offers 512 MB of storage. And unlike many of today's palm-sized players, it features large, easily accessible and intuitive controls as well as a good-sized, dual orientation LCD (which also lets you choose between red, blue, or purple backlighting). It comes with both a neck strap and a belt clip for easy transport.
It has 512 MB of flash memory storage and playback capability for both MP3 and WMA, and it's also compatible with DRM-protected WMA files from online stores or subscription services (including Audible.com). The 512 MB memory will store approximately 8 hours of CD-quality MP3 tracks (encoded at 128 kbps) or 16 hours of WMA tracks (at 64 kbps). You can also expand the Lyra's memory with optional Secure Digital (SD) and MMC memory cards.
In addition to digital audio playback, the Lyra also has a built-in FM tuner (with 20 presets) featuring an FM record function, enabling you to capture your favorite songs and programs to MP3. It also has a voice recorder for short notes to yourself and line-in jack for direct recording capability from external sources such as a cassette deck or CD player. It connects to PCs via an ultra-fast USB 2.0 connection, and will easily connect with both Windows and Mac-based computers. It's powered by a single AAA battery, which provides up to 20 hours of continuous usage.
What's in the Box
512 MB RCA RD2315 digital audio player, USB cable, line-in cable, belt clip, neck strap, clip earphones, AAA battery, installation CD-ROM, printed operating instructions