as most know, i have a number of edig products. my favorite is the mxp100 with the 1 gig micro drive because of the size and the sound.
the odyssey is next. i have had no issues with it at all. the sound and performance is equal to the mxp, maybe better, but because i usually am doing work outside when i listen to them i prefer the mxp only because of the lower weight. although, since my oldest son hijacked the mxp, i'm growing more accustomed to the odyssey. used with a pair of sony behind the head headphones the sound is great. used with bose noise cancellation headphones, the sound is tremendous.
i don't use voice activation that much. when i do use it, it seems to work very well.
i would have no problem recommending this player to anyone.
when i was in the hospital this week overnight, the first thing my wife asked me if i wanted was the odyssey. i guess she's noticed that i use it a lot.
in answer to your question:
voice activation = 2
player = 1
jay