Topic: Are h120's better than JB3's?

[waltflanagansdog]

I've been looking into the iRiver h120's recently.  The size and capability appeal to me, but are they a good replacement to/for the JB3? 

[alienbobz]

Depends on what you do. If you are more of a stealther or don't mind the fact that the h120 doesn't take optical in yet (I think it does but Rockbox can't take it?), then the h120. If you want the conveience of having an optical in then go with the JB3. I haven't used the h120 yet but it looks like many people like since Rockbox came out.

[waltflanagansdog]

Oh.  So the h120 doesn't take optical in?  I thought it did.

Thanks

[alienbobz]

I am not 100% sure about that. I think I remember that it can, but the Rockbox hasn't been setup yet to take the optical in feed. Don't quote me on that because I haven't done that much "research" on it.

[rokpunk]

Oh.  So the h120 doesn't take optical in?  I thought it did.

Thanks

it does.

[Aaron41]

I like my H120 a lot more than the JB3 I used to own.

[china_rider]

Not only does the iRiver have optical in but it also has optical out. 

Once I got one and stealthed with it successfully I decided to get rid of my JB3 gear.  A few shows under the belt and I am still happy.  Smaller, better meters, does not overheat (yet) in even mild Arizona heat.

[shaggy]

These are the best full featured Audio only MP3 players to have been made.  The sound is incredible from them, the Rockbox firmware is very easy to navigate, it should have been a iPod killer.  The bonus bit is that it can record rather well, with an analog-in section like the JB3 and function as a bit dump for 16bit depth recordings.  It is a stealthers dream, the remote can be hidden in a handy location and brought up to eye level to read without lowering your head; and speaking of remotes the unit is backlit and can control the gain unlike the remotes that come with the PCM-M1 or TCD-D100.

The JB3 was a fluke.  The H120 has been tailored to our needs via the rockbox and flyspray forums, and continues to be improved on by the likes of mmmm and paulheu on the rockbox forums.  The code is open sourced, which means we could contribute as well.  To me, this is a no brainer and already the price of JB3s are starting to fall.  The only issue with them is the fact they probably will never be able to do 24bit depth.  But if you are a true blue recordist, and you know your shit, you don't need 24 bit to ride the line and get excellent dynamic range from 16bit.

[china_rider]

Agree 100% but I say verify your unit with the remote.  Each remote I tried introduces significant noise  in the recording.  I will never use the remote while recording.

[willndmb]

hows the battery on these?

[Aaron41]

hows the battery on these?

I keep hearing 8 hours of recording. I haven't run any tests though.

[poppag76]

Where can you find the best deal on one of these?

[George]

Where can you find the best deal on one of these?

ebay.  FYI: You can upgrade the battery in the iriver to a 2200mah battery and nearly double playback time and I'm assuming recording time.  I recall reading that the iriver H120 can be upgraded to a 40GB HDD and the H140 can be upgraded to a 80GB HDD if need be.  It's such a slick recording device it's scary at how well it works.

[Todd R]

I've owned and recorded with 3 different JB3's dating back to late 2002.  I recently picked up an iRiver H140 and find it to be a better recording deck than the JB3.  

Same experience and findings as stated above:  it is smaller, as cheap or cheaper, better battery life, better meters, has digital optical in and out, tested (by me) to be bit accurate, seems at least or more reliable, and no apparent problems with heat related shutdown.

I've heard of 8 hours of record time.  I tested my to just shy of 6 1/2, so my experience is that 8 hours would be on the high end, but there has been a bit of variation.  And this is with just the stock battery (compared to ~3hr with the single stock battery of the JB3).  You can order an ipod battery that fits the iRiver and do a battery swap.  I've ordered mine -- less than $20 delivered -- but it hasn't arrived yet.  The ipod battery is 2200ma-hr, compared to I think 1300mahr for the stock battery, so it should be good for 10-12 hours of record time.

A huge plus to me is that it seems much better about operating in hot environments.  I used mine a couple weeks ago at Wakarusa and had no problems with heat-related shutdowns.  I talked to several other tapers using the JB3 that weekend who were experiencing heat-shutdowns, even though their JB3's were out of their bags and under umbrellas for shade.  I had my H140 shut up in my closed bag in the direct sun without any problems whatsoever.

I will say that though it is a really nice 16bit recorder, and nice compact 40gb mp3 jukebox (that also plays .wav and .flac files with rockbox!), I don't like the sound of it nearly as much as either my JB3 or my Zen Xtra.  Still, for the size and functionality, I'll put up with the reduced playback sound quality.  As a bonus though, with it's digital optical out, it is nicer for my headphone playback system, that includes Grado SR225 cans, a Pimeta amp, and a Audio Alchemy DAC.  Now I can just plug the H140 into the AA DAC with the optical out and just use the H140 as a bit bucket even for playback.

[Scooter]

i am really thinking about getting one of these to use instead of my JB3.  just need to find a good deal.  man i wish this thing would do 24b!