Product Description

Sony has a personal S2 SportsM-^Y CD player that can do it all: CDs, CD-Rs, CD-RWs, and MP3 files. It has the ultimate skip-free G-ProtectionM-^Y technology, so you wonM-^Rt have to worry about your tunes skipping while you exercise. The unit features MP3 playback capability that lets you play music files that were downloaded and recorded onto CD-Rs and CD-RWs. Plus, itM-^Rs water-resistant and you can get up 24 hours of MP3 playback on just 2 M-^SAAM-^T batteries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #126076 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Sony
• Model: DCS901
• Dimensions: 1.50 pounds

Features

• 2-Line / 10-Character Dot Matrix LCD Display
• Supports ID3 Tagging & CD Text
• Easy Access Folder Function
• Supports MP3 Bitrates From 8 to 320 Kbps
• Active Control Playback Operation

From the Manufacturer
Push your music as hard as you push yourself with Sony’s D-CS901 S2 Sports CD Walkman Portable CD MP3 Player. Featuring the New S2 Sports Design, a Reflective Hand Strap, Active Control Playback Operation, Ultimate Skip-Free G-Protection Technology, and Water Resistance**, this player is built to take the pounding that active music listeners dish out. So lace up your skates and running shoes, grab your skateboard, or head to the gym – this CD MP3 Player comes complete with MP3 and CD-R/RW Playback Capability, 24 Hours of Continuous Playback of MP3 (with 2 "AA" Batteries), 32 Track RMS Programming, and 11 Playback Modes. For ease of use, this player also includes ID3 Tagging and CD Text Support, and an Easy Access Folder Function. Add the D-CS901 to your active lifestyle and enjoy the ride.

Customer Reviews

UNBREAKABLE WITH VERY FEW FLAWS
PROS
1. EASY TO USE
2. HAS PLAYED ALL MP3 DISCS WITHOUT PROBLEMS
3. DON'T SKIP - EVER
4. LOADS MP3 DISCS IN ABOUT 20 SECS
5. FEELS UNBREAKABLE
6. WATER RESISTANT
7. GOOD SOUND GUALITY
8. BATTERIES ARE STILL GOING AFTER APPROX.18HRS OF PLAYING AND INDICATOR IS ONLY HALF WAY

CONS
1. 2SEC GAP BETWEEN MP3 TRACKS (CAN'T CHANGE THIS - OR NO INFO IN MANUAL HOW TO HAVE NO GAP)
2. NOT FIRMWARE UPGRADEABLE.. BUT IS IT REALLY REQUIRED?
3. A LITTLE BIT LARGE, BUT IT'S THE PAY OFF FOR A REALLY STURDY DESIGN

Great mp3/CD player!
I just got this model and I love it. I must confess though, that until using the mp3 feature I was on the fence of hating it.

First thing that bugged me was this annoying "beep" every time you use a button. Second thing was the volume nob is in the most stupidest place ever. If you use the strap you will constantly raise and lover the volume inadvertantly. The third thing that annoyed the bejeebus out of me was the lack of back lit screen.

Now the good side ot those is that you can infact learn to avoid triggering the volume, and you can sut off the beeping noise, but unfortunately the screen is still not backlit. This is not major, but nonetheless a downside.

Also there is no "pause" feature, only stop and resume, so kinda, but not really, that makes sense in a few ways as it's a sports walkman.

Now to the good parts.

The mp3 capability is great! You can drag and drop ripped CDs as folders and literally put a whole catalog on one disc. I got every Beatle album (studio LPs) on one disc! This is a great feature! The only down side is the jump track function as about a one second delay between songs, but thisis only when you skip, not play an album, although I have to confess, unlike a CD segues don't do well in mp3, as there is a slight pause between tracks.

The construction is very sturdy and by far now outdoes [many] models.

The headphones that come with it are also a bit tinny sounding, but that is the natur of ear bud style. Fortunately...you can upgrade to the regular "sport" style headphones (mdr-g57) that sound far better and have cool reflectors on them.

So to summerize:

PROS:
Strudy
Great sound
MP3 Capability is supurb
Splash and rain proof
Great design (looks)
Long battery life as well as a battery meter.

CONS:
Volume control not placed well
No backlit screen
crudy headphones
no pause feature

I realize with all of those cons, five stars seems generous, but the fact of the matter is that in it's class it is best with the Phillips/Nike close behind.

Perhaps Sony should backlight the screen, get a remote control, and include better headphones...

Oustanding performance, versatile and ergonomic
If you are in the market for a high-end portable cd-player, this model is defintely for you. The sound quality and sampling is amazing, and it is easily the most durable portable player I've ever owned. I'd been looking for the "Sports" series for 3 years when mp3 portable players were just starting to come into the forefront, and at the time, the "Sports" model wasn't available for mp3 playback...until July. Sony has made tremendous improvements over the years, but I've always been biased towards their portable electronics since the 1980's.
The headphones are an extremely comfortable design...much improved from earlier models. Sony has outdone themselves, and hopefully Panasonic will be able to catch up to this unit, because, as of this writing, they have yet to come out with a "Shockwave" mp3 cd player. For now, if you don't mind paying a little extra money, you won't be disappointed.