CD based MP3 players are passe. The iRiver Slim-X 350 is probably the best during its time and certainly value for money. 3 and half years ago I was looking for a decent MP3 player. Looked at all the products from Sony, Philips, Thomson and then I was lucky enough not notice a not so well known(then) brand iRiver. The iRiver SlimX 350 then sold for $150 but had some of the most rocking features. I got mine for $120.
Some of the best features that iRiver provided
1)Support for FM (not even Sony provided that)
2)A Full functional 4 line in-line Remote that allows one to access all the features that the player provides at the yr finger-tips.
3)Rechargeable Batteries which last for a long time. Though iRiver claims 11hrs on the batteries I got close to 8hrs on a single charge which was much better than what most players provided.
4)Support for ID3 Tags.
5)Storing yr MP3 in multiple levels of Folders.
6)Support for MP3, WMA, ASF and Audio CD followed by OggVobis through a firmware upgrade.
7)The feature which Bowled me over was the Firmware upgrade. Which even today not many brands provide.
8)8 mins of jerkfree music buffer.
9)The size and sleekness was better than most other player.
10) The price too compared with a sony is justified as compared to the features.
The player could do with a good pair of earphones. Still far better than the rest.
Though the FM has stopped working and battery life has reduced I still use my player.
Would recommend the latest Iriver SlimX series. if one is looking for a CD based players.