Rating: 
Summary: Almost perfect...
Review: I've gotten a lot of good advice from product reviews on Amazon so I feel obgligated to contribute now an then when I have strong feelings about a product. The Rio Karma is such a product.This isn't a complete review, just first impressions. I received my Rio Karma just last night. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order: Like the Apple iPOD, this isn't the product to buy if you drop things a lot or otherwise abuse your gadgets. If you want a player for your kid or to use while you play rugby, buy the iRiver iFP-395T. It has 512MB of solid state storage, it's light, rugged, and it comes with a functional armband carrying case. If you want an MP3 device that has similar attributes to the Apple iPOD but gives you more bang for the buck, this device deserves your consideration. In addition to playing MP3 files like the iPOD it also handles WMA, OGG, and FLAC formated music files, so it's more flexible. It has all the standard stuff like a cool cradle that has USB 2.0, Ethernet, RCA Left/Right audio out, and power. Since all PCs shipped in recent years have USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 ports you won't have to buy an interface card to use the Karma. The USB 2.0 port is backward compatible for computers with USB 1.1 and is as fast as firewire for those newer PCs with USB 2.0. If you have an ethernet network you can plug the cradle into your network and access the player using Rio Music Manager from a networked PC. You get the same functionality that you would using USB. Setup is easy, but the software and firmware included need to be updated to work properly. Mine arrived with Rio Music Manager 2.20 and Rio Karma firmware 1.4. As the drop in instruction suggests you should immediately upgrade to versions 2.40 and 1.7. If your PC is connected to the Internet when you install the Rio software, the installer will automatically recognize that there are newer versions available and offer to download and perform the required updates. Mine didn't operate correctly until I did this. (I have a Dell D-800 portable with WinXP Pro) The navigation controls are easy to learn and navigation is relatively easy. The Rio DJ playback mode is a real treat with lots of useful ways to have the player automatically create a playlist for you based on criteria like genre, most frequently played, most recently played, least frequently played, etc. The player fits easily in your hand and I had no problem with the RioStick and the jog wheel. While the stick is relatively small and light to the touch, it works fine and I haven't heard anyone say theirs broke, just speculation that it MIGHT not be very durable. Only time will tell. None of this gear has controls that can't be broken if abused. This player costs less than a comparable (20GB) iPOD. Probably because Apple historically has a high markup on their products and they have to fund software development and support for both Macintosh and Intel PC users. Rio skips spending money on Mac support and while this will undoubtedly annoy Mac owners, the rest of us who own PCs benefit from not having to foot the bill for software and support for a cross-platform product. I wish the Karma came with a belt pack or armband holster. I'll have to settle with a generic 3rd party product for now. Sound quality is excellent when hooked up to my high-end stereo system. I suspect that users who are disappointed are using low quality earbuds (the included ones are good, but not fantastic). Or they are playing poor quality source material, which is often the case if you download your MP3s from an unknown source. Rest assured that with MP3 or WMA files that are properly created most of you will be pleased. If not, with this player, you can playback FARC format music files which use lossless compression and should be as good as the original CD. The ethernet connection to the device through the cradle works fine. But you have to set a password on the player before you can connect remotely (which is a GOOD thing). If RIO adds remote control functionality to this interface in the future through a firmware update then this device could be used as a remotely controlled playback device for your home entertainment center. RIO, Please say you're working on this. If you do, I'll give you 5 stars in a followup review!
Rating: 
Summary: Good Karma
Review: I found my 20gig Karma on the web for less than $300 with shipping and I think that's quite a bargain for this unit when you compare it with the iPod. I value audio performance highest of all and I use Bose ANR headsets with my device. I am very pleased with this unit. The Karma's support for Ogg Vorbis, and the lossless format FLAC, really appealed to me and those are the formats that I rip (or compress in the case of FLAC) my music to using the included software. The Karma is able to drive my relatively inefficient Bose headsets to acceptable volume levels whereas my other (Samsung) MP3 player struggles to do so. Also the ethernet support on the Karma's docking station is a very handy feature because it allows me to sync the Karma with any computer on my wireless home network. Small gripes include: If you use the included power supply to power the base station you will not have one for traveling, but a trip to Radio Shack solved this need for about twenty bucks. Also, I wish that the unit showed on my computer as an external hard drive, but it does not offer that feature.
Rating: 
Summary: Bad Reputation
Review: Yes, we all want to believe the five star reviews and dismiss the one star reviewers as illiterate iPod partisans. The player is compact enough to show off to friends and has better features than the iPod at over $100 less. I was sooo close to buying one before I did a little research. Unfortunately, if you go to www.riovolution.com, you will find an absolute mob of forum posters confirming the one star reviews - the player has some serious defects that make it nearly inoperable for many users. A good deal of others are satisfied with their Karma, but admit that they've put some serious time and effort into it (i.e. playing with several firmware versions, replacing their unit multiple times), which is not what most of us buy a nice mp3 jukebox for. Go to the forum. Seeing the volume of very credible posters seriously dissatisfied or just burned by this player dissuaded me from buying it, and it's at least something to keep in mind before you throw down your $300. Better firmware is supposedly on its way, but I would NEVER buy something on a company promise (especially with the Karma's weak warranty).
Rating:
Summary: Nice machine
Review: Got this last week. Chose it over iRiver's ihp-120 because it was cheaper and smaller (short and chubby works better for me than tall and gangly). I was originally going to go for the Nomad Zen Xtra, which for the same price would have twice the harddrive space, but I saw one at a local chain store, and it was just too large -- I've seen smaller cassette walkmans. The unit works perfectly, and the software is simple to use. The various playback options are a real plus, as is the excellent sound quality. The controls are pretty easy to use while holding the player in one hand, though if you have particularly small hands, you may have to use both. The player feels as solid as a rock, except for the joystick button, which does feel a little flimsy. Navigation using the joystick button is relatively easy, though it would have been better had they made it a little firmer. My only complaints are: (1) flimsy joystick button; and (2) no carry-case included in the accessories -- they do include a little change-purse thing so it doesn't get scratched in your backpack, but I would have liked something I could attach to my belt. It was a hard decision between this and the ihp-120. The Rio Karma can't record, it doesn't have a digital line in/out, a remote, fm radio, or driver-less drag-and-drop like the ihp-120. But it's cheaper, it sounds slightly better, the playback options are better, and it's smaller (well, at least shorter). Also, note that the total capacity is actually 18.5 GB. I hate when they round up like that, but it seems like everyone does it....
Rating: 
Summary: NOT DESIGNED WELL
Review: Bought and returned twice, the joystick is useless and has average sound quality!
Rating:
Summary: Karma 20 Review & Linux Info
Review: Mini Karma 20 Review - There's only one option for Linux - ethernet into it using the Java code, Rio Music Manager Lite, (RMML). The Rio website has the latest supported version, but an even more recent version is probably available on the developer's private site, . The RMML Java code was bulletproof for me, even when I did goofy stuff like editing the song titles, artist, album name and track numbers as RMML was uploading those files to the Karma 20. It's apparently well buffered, and automatically compares the song database in the Karma 20 to the one I just edited on the PC and only uploads the changes I made. I was hoping I could just drag and drop files from the file manager via USB, upload files via the Karma's built-in web server, or ftp to it over the network, but it has a funky journaling file system so it's their way or the highway. But the Java is of course wonderfully machine independent, so it works very well with my Linux notebook. I recomend checking out their web site, which has an active forum of knowledgeable developers supporting the Karma 20. Ethernet downloads are fast. Sound quality is excellent in this 1" X 3" X 3" player (not the claimed .9" X 2.7" X 3") with 20 GB of storage (about 5000 songs). I like having my entire music collection in one tiny little device. The user interface is good for such a tiny device. Runtime is 15 hours on an internal lithium ion battery (bad news when it needs to be replaced because it's a custom battery). I like the fact that it has a charging cradle that also puts it on the local area network. I wish my latest digital camera had a charging cradle with USB communications. I also like the fact that it plays Ogg and FLAC files as well as MP3. I hope Rio supports this device far into the future because it's firmware driven and that makes it flexible enough to keep up with the evolving digital audio standards. Others have expressed a desire for a remote control and a protective carrying case. Both would be nice, but I'd particularly like the case. It'd be nice to be able to do active stuff without harming the Karma, yet also be able to quickly access the Karma's user interface as needed.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect player, still a few kinks
Review: I've had my Karma for 10 days and have been very pleased. It's small (fits easy inside the Bose QuietComfort 2 headphone case, making one less thing to carry). Sound quality is excellent, the docking station with Ethernet and stereo jacks is wonderful. The on-board software is very solid - create and edit playlists on the fly, change just about anything. The Rio Music Manager seems to have a few more stability problems, particularly with USB 1.1 connection, but the Ethernet is fine. Wish RMM would allow remote control of the player when it's docked and hooked to the stereo. Also be forewarned that the "case" is just a little drawstring pouch - pretty chintzy for an expensive player, but I'm sure the aftermarket people will have something shortly. Unlike iPod, the Karma accepts WMA files and doesn't impose a world of copy-protection schemes on moving music files. Service from D&M (Denon, Marantz and Macintosh, the new owners of Rio) has been good and I have confidence they'll stand behind the product. Overall I'm very impressed. The price is coming down - hard-drive-based systems are coming onto the market quickly - but the Karama is a great competitor if you value small size, flexibility and the ability to dock the unit to make it part of your home network and stereo system.
Rating:
Summary: Compact player with big features
Review: With the latest crop of HD music players hitting the market, I decided it was a good time to take the plunge. I opted for the Rio Karma for the features and the compact size, and so far I have not been disappointed. The Karma is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, but it delivers incredible sound--and the base station can be plugged permanently into my home stereo system for even bigger sound! Navigation is very easy to master; it took me only a few minutes to get accustomed to the joystick control. Setup was also quick and relatively painless thanks to the USB 2.0 connection, but I wish that I could access the Karma from within Musicmatch, my preferred jukebox, instead of having to use the Rio Music Manager software. I see that other folks have taken issue with the build quality, but I've been impressed by how solid this little device feels in my hand. And for support, I'll echo the comment about www.riovolution.com -- a terrific website for suggestions and a place to get help and insight from Rio engineers.
Rating:
Summary: high concept, poor execution..
Review: I've owned this for about a week. The upside is that it is feature packed. Ethernet and USB 2.0 connectivity, a nice cradle with rca (not mini-jack) outs, stable and intuitive software for the pc. Updating the firmware and software is a snap. My favorite is the bookmarking feature. Something all mp3 players should have. Love the features. The downside is that the product is already broken. The scroll wheel seized and will no longer allow for scrolling. The scroll wheel should at least have had a knurled edge to keep fingers from slipping. The joystick is sloppy and hard to navigate with. It's probably just a matter of time before the joystick breaks. In a...product as well conceived as this is, the poor construction and materials of the joystick and scroll wheel is unforgiveable. This would be a killer product if only they'd take a page from the Apple design book and give it a more 'quality' feel. They should have made it a little thinner and given more thought to what the makes a product pleasing to use. The joystick and scroll wheel feel cheap and are difficult to use compared to the iPods controls. Battery life falls far below advertised. Any navigation evidently eats up power. I'm getting an estimated five hour cycle before it shuts down for lack of power. Perhaps if you press play and leave it alone battery life might be longer. The battery indicator never shows more than about 3/4 full. Probably a firmware issue. And the heat! Some heat is expected but the Karma generates enough heat to serve as a handwarmer. I had high hopes for this product. If it had been a [less expensive] product rather than [its actual cost] product, I might have been more forgiving. Unfortunately I'm going to have to return it, something I rarely do with a product. Try again Rio. You're on to something good. All it would take to make this a jewel would be a precision four way rocker switch in place of the joy stick, a heavily knurled and precision wheel in place of the smooth plastic scroll wheel and an honest 8-10 hours of battery life. Real world battery life that is. Navigation, fast forwarding and reversing, bookmarking and so on should be taken into consideration. In the mean time I'll continue using an iPod, in spite of the fact that it has no bookmarking feature.
Rating:
Summary: NEW COMPANY, BETTER SUPPORT!
Review: Just to clarify a few things. Any review of this product that complains about SonicBlue and Rio having a bad rep is invalid. Rio was recently bought by D&M, a much better company than SonicBlue was, and the Rio support has increased so significantly. Check out www.riovolution.com and the forum there; it will prove to you that the Rio guys listen to the customers and even make software changes to the products that they release according to the customers' requests! Five stars for support, 100 more stars (which wouldn't fit on the scale here) for the features of this product! It's simply amazing!
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