 RCA Lyra 2840 40GB MP3/WMA Media Player Strengths: Compact/Lightweight, Drag&Drop ExtHDD (No Cumbersome Software), Multi-EQ Setting & User defined EQ
Weaknesses: Thin Plastic Casing, Inset Volume & On/Off/Stop Buttons, Leather Case limits access to buttons, Like/Dislike Buttons
Summary: I have had my RCA Lyra since September 2003; needless to say it cost me a pretty penny. My first impression was that it was a decent, "low-budget" unit, slightly smaller than my walkman but bigger than the iPod. It seemed very well-made/sturdy and the main feature I liked was that it worked as an external harddrive thus I didn't need cumbersome software to transfer music to it, SWEET! (I don't get why more manufactures don't add that feature). Anyway, I discovered rather quickly that I didn't like the style of the on/off/stop and volume buttons. All three are inset which makes them hard to find just by feel, plus, by being inset you have to press them with your finger nail. Another feature I found senseless was the like/dislike feature which allows you to select which files on the mp3 player are ones you like to listen to and which ones aren't. I think that is worthless because why would I bother to put music I didn't like on my unit? They could have put the stop button there instead of making it the same button as the on/off switch. At the time I didn't let these minor inconveniences get to me. The earphones it came with were decent; they clip over the ears which makes them easy to wear while laying down relaxing; however, after a short while they do tend to get bothersome, and if you're in a noisy place, the earphone won't do you much good.
Yet another minor issue was the dust-cover for the usb connector; I took one look at it and new it would eventually break off because it was made of a thin rubber, plus it got in the way when you wanted to connect it to the computer. For the most part I was very please with my purchase, and I believe this mp3 player is a good economy/low-budget unit, especially considering that at the time I bought it, it was half the price of the 40GB iPod. Well, I take reasonably good care of my stuff which is why I am so frustrated with this unit now. I seldom ever travel, thus my mp3 player hasn't been out and about all the much and when it has it was well protected and taken care of. Unfortunately, that didn't keep it from falling apart. It is still usable, but there are several cosmetic flaws. As I mentioned earlier, the rubber usb-dust-cover broke off. Also, the left side of the unit has started to separate, which makes me wonder why there are only two screws holding the unit together, and when I push the left side back together it causes the volume to turn down as though it's putting pressure on that button. The screw on the right has two small cracks around it in the plastic casing. And the thin-metal belt-clip on the leather case has gotten bent/warped just by being on my belt (That's one way to spell CHEAP); the leather case also has a tendency to fray around ALL the edges. Needless to say, I am no longer as happy with my purchase. So, once again I am in the market for a decent mp3 player. The two I have my eyes on are the Toshiba Gigabeat MEGF40s and the MEG201-G21 (which is only available from Japan) Well, I hope this review is helpful to those of you who are looking to buy the aforementioned unit or a similar item from RCA; personally I plan to stay away from RCA's brand.
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