The SD card on my Echo Mini was full. I didn’t like the idea of navigating even more music on one device, so instead of a bigger SD card I just got another device.
This device isn’t perfect, but I can’t think of better alternative for my tastes except maybe an iPod. But those are crazy money to get upgraded to today’s standards (larger storage, lossless support, etc).
A new device, the Snowsky Echo (not mini) has been announced and also looks gorgeous. But I like the idea of having a few identical devices. I might get a third for meditations, audiobooks (despite the lack of chapter support) and ASMR.
There is an ~8,000 file limit anyway so a bigger card doesn’t solve everything. But I actually get decision paralysis having more music than that on one device so I’m happy to have a few of them. I might keep classical, instrumentals and soundtrack on one.
i meant like, swapping between SD cards instead of getting a second player.
Oh, now I get you. That’s a good suggestion and I did consider that, but I would have to do a rescan every time I swap. I have ~200GB+ of FLAC files on the first card so the scan takes about 5 minutes. Too much fuss for me but might not be an issue for others.
I guess that makes sense
Is this 8000 file limit a hard limit? Can it not be removed via a firmware upgrade from fiiO? I am considering buying this player to avoid using my phone/PC to listen to music but ya… I mean, I am nowhere near that limit, but still.
The commentary online always suggests the limit can’t be passed due to inherent limits of the hardware. If you like the device except for that limitation, it’s worth waiting for the Echo Pro due out late this year https://www.hifihub.com.br/en/general/fiio-2026-a-look-ahead-at-this-years-dap-releases
Alternatively the Snowsky Disc supports 2Tb of storage and surely does not have an ~8,000 file limit.
I think I can live with that limitation.
How are you liking the device, after all this time?
I love it. I wanted something with physical buttons, with excellent sound and not a phone, and I really like that about it. I prefer albums to singles too. Part of the appeal for me is also the appearance, because I had portable cassette/CD/minidisc players when they were the tech of the time.
It helped that I was aware of the limitations in advance: limited (SBC) Bluetooth, no gapless and the need to ensure the files are tagged in a way the device likes. Using SDsorter/fatsort might also necessary if you use the folder browser instead of the media browser (takes five seconds).
It’s hard to get a sense of how small it really is online and I see many comments from reviewers saying they were surprised when their device arrived. My hands and eyes would prefer a bigger device, but then again my pockets would not.
If you do go for one of the Snowsky devices, I’d be interested in your experiences.