Rating: 
Summary: Fun and easy to use, but could use more memory
Review: After months of insisting I wasn't going to leap on the MP3 bandwagon, I've become a firm convert to the joys and ease of electronic music, and the Rio Diamond 600 is a big reason why. This stylish and easy-to-use pocket MP3 player is the perfect way to listen to MP3s on the go, and shows every sign of becoming one of the top models in the field.Affordable and easy to use, the 600 packs a lot of features in a tiny package. The volume level is one of the best in the field of MP3 players: taking Spinal Tap nine better, the volume control goes up to 20, very loud in your house but sometimes necessary during noisy commuting. The controls are uncomplicated and easy to manipulate sight-unseen if you have it in your pocket, although learning how to hit "pause" without skipping to the next song is a talent you'll have to practice. Unfortunately there's no "bookmark" function, so if you stop the player in the middle of a file and want to pick up from that point, you'll have to fast-forward manually to it. The blue plastic faceplate is removable and other colors are available to customize your Rio. Earplug headphones are included (their sound quality is fine, but you'll probably want to stick with your favorite pair of stereo headphones). Contrary to the Amazon review, there *is* a belt clip--a neoprene case that attaches with a firm clip to belt or waistband. It also comes preloaded with "new music" that you'll probably want to replace as soon as possible--but including it gives you a nice way to test out your 600 on the way home from the electronics store. Hooking it up to my iMac was simple and fast, and I can download a full player's worth of music to the 600 in a couple minutes. (Read the system requirements carefully, tho'--you need Windows 98 or higher, and a USB-equipped Mac with OS 8.51+). A CD-ROM of bundled software gets you up and running quickly, although it's very annoying that the software is shareware and prompts you to pay the shareware fee every time you start up. When I pay for equipment and get software in a box that's absolutely necessary to run the equipment, I'd expect that software to be totally included in the price of the player. I've seen several complaints about 600s that don't work, and I must admit that my first one was defective, with lines running across the small display viewscreen. However, this was easily returned and my second model has worked fine, even with constant daily play or a few instance of dropping it on the subway. The sole complaint I have is the usual one I've seen in most reviews: 32mb of memory is far too small. You need at least 64mb of memory to get an hour's worth of music recorded at 128mps. Luckily there is an add-on backpack which can increase your total memory to 64mb, but that backpack isn't cheap (about 2/3 the price of the Rio 600 itself). Announced future backpacks are supposed to be even larger, and probably even pricier. Diamond would have made me a fan without any complaints if the memory upgrades were less expensive or even universally compatible with other players. For this reason I'd recommend comparing it the Rio Diamond 800, basically the same machine with slightly redesigned controls and 64mb of built-in memory.
Rating: 
Summary: FLAWED...buy something else
Review: I am waiting for my third Rio 600 replacement...the first one broke within a few weeks (the on/off switch broke). They did replace it fairly fast. About another month later, the sound stopped working...all I hear is static-exactly like another reviewer here described. After 3 emails, I am still waiting for them to send me a confirmation to send it in AGAIN for a replacement. IMO, they need to correct the bugs in these things before they release them on the market. When it works, it's good and is a convenient way to carry a handful of tunes for a ride on the subway...too bad it has been broken more than it has been working!
Rating:
Summary: good player
Review: i figured that i would write a review concidering that i use this site to pick it i was debating weather to get a RCA mp3 player or the rio 600 and i stuck with the rio and i like the design of the player but as of many people say the joypad is very hard to hit the right place and the headphone hurt i had them in for a day of skiing and when i took them out i couldn't touch my ear they hurt so bad. the memory can fit about 11 songs if they are in the WMA format (use winamp) don't bother getting the face plates because they cost ($) for three it's a rip off. another thing i don't like is it doesn't have a belt clip or a A/C port. i hope you found this review some what interestingand helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Serious technical problems
Review: I've been through 5 Rio600s already, and each one of them has had the same problem, after about 2 weeks the unit suddenly stops functioning. All the unit produces is static. You can barely hear the music if you turn the volume up to about three times normal, but it's barely recognizable. Diamond has replaced each unit, sending a packing slip every, but each time I talk to tech support they say it's the first time they've heard of this problem, even though I've heard similar stories from other people. I'm trying to compile a list of people who've encountered the same issue, that that this problem may be made public. If you've experienced this defect in the Diamond Rio600 MP3 player, or think you have, please email me at grahamdrew@yahoo.com.
Rating: 
Summary: Dave
Review: The Diamond Rio 600 is great looking, compact and easy to use. Unfortunately, all its good points have been offset by a flimsy on/off switch. The on/off switch on our first DR 600 broke the day after it was received. The on/off switch on the replacement DR 600 broke after less than a week. Too bad, because otherwise it seems like a good product. Dave
Rating: 
Summary: Not Rio's best offering
Review: The 600, and it's big sister the 800, may be sturdier than the 300 and 500, but are otherwise inferior products. The backpacks (as opposed to the cards used by most other players) are expensive and bulky, and the whole is just plain ugly. There's no point to the ridiculous snap-on snap-off face plates that can be bought for the Rio 600. Also, I've found that a small but sturdy (attached)belt clip is more convenient than the little bag that comes with the Rio 600. What in the world were the manufacturers thinking? Who in the world did they think they were marketing this thing to?
Rating:
Summary: Unaccessible customer service
Review: This was a wildly expected Christmas present, but 2 months later we have yet to be able to get customer service to help with the software which doesnt work! Can you imagine a customer service unit which is not available at lunch time? Totally frustrating experience for my daughter and for Santa Claus.
Rating:
Summary: Good and cheap
Review: This product has worked well, and is quite good. It is very small, can hold an hour of your favorite mix of songs, and has VERY FAST transfer rates with the computer. It has a nice changable appearance and a backlit display so you can see it easily in the dark. It does have a couple of setbacks though. First, other people have said in their reviews that the middle button jams. I haven't had this happen to me, but be aware of that. Second, it doesn't hold a lot. I assumed that when it said it can have an expansion of 340MB, that I could buy the player, save up some more money, then by the expansion. This was a bad assumption. I bought this in the summer of 2000, and the 340MB expansion isn't out until Fall 2001- if all goes well. There are, however, 32 and 64MB expansions available now. The 64MB is around $...! I can't wait to see what the 340 is! Be aware of the troubles, but if you want an hour of music on the go, that loads in fast, get this. If you are take a long trips and need music that will last a long time I suggest a CD player that can read MP3 format on CD's. Rio Volt is one by this company. A large storage MP3 "jukebox" is another option. Happy buying.
Rating:
Summary: Abysmal Battery Life
Review: I love the fact that this unit is small and only weighs a few ounces, but I can't recommend buying it. The batteries are drained even when the unit is off! A fresh battery will only give you about 10 hours of life from the time it's inserted, regardless of whether you're listening to music or have the unit in your pocket turned off. I'm planning to sell mine and buy the Rio Volt, which can play MP3s from CD's you burn yourself. Twenty hours of music, as opposed to 30 minutes.
Rating: 
Summary: its great
Review: I think your problems come when you mess up. ive had mine for a long time and havent had any problems. I get about 45 min of play not quite an hour but close enough. I suggest buying one of these they are great.
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