e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[Tenderloin]

Dion Cool Review No battery problems???
Dioneer rolls out some competition for the iRiver SlimX.
http://gear.ign.com/articles/383/383729p1.html

January 24, 2003 - Until now it's pretty much been the iRiver SlimX running the show. It wasn't the first MP3 CD player to hit the streets, but it took the form to new heights. Tons of features, great sound, and good value, recommending one was a no-brainer. A few companies responded with some nice players, but nothing could really touch it. It wasn't until the SlimX 2 was released that a better device came along. Now Dioneer, also know as the company with the funniest name, is taking a shot at the champ.

The Dion Cool (AKA DCP-400) is the company's new flagship MP3 CD player. As such, it's an incredibly well endowed player. The influence of the SlimX is obvious from the basic design to the telltale external battery pack, but Dioneer added a few things of their own. For instance, the Cool is the first MP3 CD portable to feature SRS sound processing. And all things considered, the Cool is quite an impressive device. It can't quite keep up with the SlimX, but you should give it a look if you're searching for a new MP3 CD player, especially if you're on a budget.

As you can see, the designers obviously took a good look at the SlimX portables before setting to work on the Cool. The main unit has only the most basic controls on it, with most of the features accessible only through the remote. The remote itself is large with a backlit, four-line LCD, several buttons, and two scroll levers. And then there is the battery pack, which is external and houses two AAs. Sound familiar? It should. The Cool is also about the same size as the SlimX players. It's actually a bit smaller near the hinge, but negligibly so. I have no problem with obvious influences and think Dioneer played it pretty smart with the overall design.

The main unit has an unadorned faceplate. On the front you'll find an open slider and toward the left you'll find six small buttons: volume up, volume down, previous track/reverse scan, next track/forward scan, stop/off, and play/pause/on. The bottom of the player has a simple hold slider, which thankfully acts independently from the remote hold switch.

The remote is squarish and a little larger than iRiver's. The four-line LCD shows track count, current track number, elapsed time, play mode, EQ/SRS mode, general tag info (artist, track, etc.), bookmarks, next track, file format, bitrate, battery life, and has a small spectrum analyzer. You can also have it show simply the track name and a large spectrum analyzer, but it's more fun to look at all the little specs. As you might guess, the text is outlandishly small. The case is the same with iRiver players, and is pretty much unavoidable on such a small but well equipped device.

I mentioned that the menu system isn't quite as robust as the SlimX's. While this is certainly true, Dioneer provides the user with an adequate amount of options. The only problem, and this is strange, is that the most basic navigation is unusual. You can't for instance, simply go to the root directory, select an entire folder, and then start playing it. You can bookmark things and then work through your bookmarks, or you can simply alphabetize all your tracks and the move directly to either one, but you can't directly play an entire folder. I think this is a silly way to organize things, especially considering how many tracks you can have on a disc. This is really the only problem with general usage. With hope this is something that Dioneer can remedy with a firmware update. (Hint, hint, Dioneer.)

As far as sound quality, Dioneer hit their stride with the Cool. The unit sounds clear as a bell and can play very loudly. There are more powerful portable out there, but the Cool holds its own. And if things aren't loud enough for you in normal mode, then you can always push things up with the SRS processing. I usually skip the DSPs as a matter of course, but I must admit that the 3D and TruBass sound pretty good on a portable. I wouldn't run it on a home system, but on the go with some headphones it works pretty well. Just make sure you have headphones that can handle the extra bass without farting out. You should also be warned that the Cool will distort should you turn it up all the way and then activate the SRS sound. However, that scenario is outrageously loud.

In the intro I alluded to an affordable price. Oddly, I couldn't find the MSRP on the official site and have no contact at the company; the player mysteriously showed up in my mailbox. However, I found it online today for $140.00, which is a good deal cheaper than the SlimX 2 and even a bit cheaper than the SlimX. This makes the Cool a very good value. This doesn't make up for the awkward navigation, but it still makes it a solid value.

Conclusion

The Cool has a lot to offer for a reasonable amount of money. If you can afford the additional $50.00-$60.00 for the SlimX 2, then go for that. I even prefer the original SlimX over the Cool, if for no other reason than iRiver's outstanding menu system and sheer amount of options. However, the Cool has a good spread of options, sounds great, has SRS processing, and is very compact. If you think you can live without the incredibly detailed system of options found in iRiver portables, then go for the Cool and you'll be set.

Recommended.
-- M. Wiley

Performance
Excellent sound and SRS processing. Good battery life and a decent menu system. 8.5

Build Quality
The body itself feels a little thin, but the whole thing is well designed and the remote is excellent. 8.5

Value
A little cheap than either SlimX and almost as good as both. An excellent deal... If you can find one. 8.5

Features
Pretty much what you'd expect from a high-end MP3 CD player. You also get the SRS processing, which sounds pretty good, hard as it is for me to admit that. The only problem is the strange menu system, which makes some basic features difficult to use. 7.0

Overall Rating (Not an average) 8.5