Price Paid:  $220.00

Summary:
RCA Lyra mp3 player is pretty good. If you are looking for value and simplicity this is for you.

Strengths:
Light weight, easy to use, backlighting lcd screen, 64mb flash card included, sound quality is excellent.

Weaknesses:
Why is it necessary to encrypt mp3 files to mpx files? You will not be able to copy files from one computer and transfer them to another. Lyra encrypts the mp3 file and recompresses them into mpx. Realaudio jukebox does not support mpx files. This is it's greatest weakness.

Price Paid:  $200.00 from computers4sure.com

Model Reviewed:
RCA lyra

Summary:
Great mp3 player

Strengths:
Cool design, belt click, perfect sound

Weaknesses:
No voicerecorder or fm turner

Model Reviewed:
RCA Lyra 2201

Summary:
The Lyra is a great product. I have not used the other MP3 players on the market, but the Lyra package meets multiple needs for me which means I probably will not migrate to a competitor. The compact flash medium is the same that I use for my Kodak digital camera. The Lyra came with a parallel port card reader which meant I did not have to purchase a compact flash reader for digital picture transfer. I usually compress the sound at 44 kbs stereo instead of the 128 kbps the Real JukeBox software allows. At kbs I can store almost 1 1/2 CDs or about 1 hour of music on the 32 meg card that comes with the Model 2201. Sound quality is supprising good at 44 kbps (320 kbps for the serious audiophile). I use my player during the morning commute and work-outs (mostly running). I do not need more than "radio quality", but the sound is better than FM radio. I am thinking of purchasing the newer 64 meg 2204 version for my girlfriend. She won't need 64 meg of compact flash. So we'll swap!

Strengths:
Multiple formats; sound quality; grat headphones; lots of features.

Weaknesses:
It's only a Mp3 player and does not record of have FM radio. The case and construction is somewhat fragile. I run with clipped "inside" my shorts so it cannt fall to the ground and disintegarte. One drop and the battery compartment cover broke. The spring in the battery compartment separated from the red wire. I am lucky to know how to solder. Transmission is slow and you really have to plan ahead to download a variety of music on the compact flash card without missing your train. My version did not come with the AC adapter or rechargeable battery pack. The adapter plug is so so small Radio Shack couldn't help.

Similar Products Used:
None.

Model Reviewed:
Lyra 64MB version

Summary:
okay...this is where things go BAD>
Bad BAD BADD software - plan horrible. RealJukeBox AKA Real FlukeBox and RealPUKEbox is the worst package imaginable. Of course you have to buy RealJukeBox Plus to actually be able to use this as a Jukebox Play... makes me wonder what the hell RealJukeBox basic is like *ugh!*. The on player OS is disgusting with irritating load times and no view of play list during actual song play. It's heavy (compared to others), the sound quality is a bit hissy. I'm really unhappy about the casing...it's cheap plastic (don't let the weight fool you - it is obviously not sturdy). Why oh why do you have to re-compress the file and change it subtly from MP3 to MPX? This take precious minutes when uploading to the compact flash reader/writer. Why in the heck is there a PS/2 pass through?? Power power management!

Strengths:
CompactFlash,COMPACTflash, COMPACTFLASH!!, playlist, good headphones, 5 level EQ...

Weaknesses:
weight, bulk, software, re-compression

Similar Products Used:
Rio, Nomad, NOW PURCHASING THE YEPP to test.
Rio and Nomad sucked.

Model Reviewed:
RD2204

Summary:
I am really enjoying the Lyra. It's nice to put a bunch of tracks/songs together for the commute and change them out again for the next commute. The DSP modes work well and the 5 band EQ lets you customize the sound to your own liking. The included headphones are better than average, too. The bundled hardware includes a car cigarette power source and cassette adapter. The 64mb Compact Flash Card holds enough music using RealAudio 96kbps to fit more than an hour of good sounding, quality music. The bundled software is Realjuke Box "Gold", although you won't find the term "Gold" anywhere. I like RJ as I was already a fan of it. I upgraded to the "plus" version and like it even more now. Another benefit, the 64mb flash card also fits in my Epson camera! That's a lot of picture taking. Everyone I've shown the Lyra to has listened to it and liked it a lot.

Strengths:
great sound, bundled software, nice features, strong case, bundled hardware

Weaknesses:
Startup "loading" delays, pass-through port on provided cable does not work with scanner. This means I have to connect/disconnect from the back of the computer when I need to use the scanner. A USB Card Reader is due out later this month or next (Feb.)

Similar Products Used:
none