Here's a 5th gen ipod benchmarked with RMAA:
http://hifiipod.co.uk/?page_id=65
The results are very good.
Here's a similar benchmark of a Creative Zen Touch (in russian, hehehe)
http://www.ixbt.com/multimedia/creative/ze...uch/touch.shtml
Looking at the numbers, I would say that there is an apparently noticeable difference between the two. As for the listening tests, it is wise to only trust those that are double-blind and properly conducted.
Overall, current-generation iPods are very impressive portable players. And nothing else on the market does gapless playback with official firmware
I have issues trusting the iPod test site because it asks you to buy iPods through their site so they get money via referrals
QUOTE(mthrnite @ Nov 28 2006, 04:14 PM)In defense of the iPod, I have four, a 1st Gen, a 2nd Gen, a new Nano and a 1st gen Shuffle. They all still work, and have decent battery life.
The 1st Gen iPod had a firewire issue that required me re-soldering a joint, but worked fine after that. They're not crap, and if you have a Mac they're a good choice because of iTunes and the Music Store. If you don't have a Mac, it probably wouldn't be my first choice since the software is a bit lacking unless you go 3rd party.
Cnet gave the Zune an 8 out of 10, and said for a new player it was looking good. I don't have any experience with Creative, but I have a little iRiver that I love to pieces (iFP 190.)
I guess what I'm saying is if anyone gives you "they're the shznit!" or "they're crap!", filter that out and realize they've all got good and bad points.
Boy, that didn't help much did it?