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 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
This item is no longer available
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 14994
Color: Black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries: 1
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2
Dimensions (in): 6 x 6 x 1
MPN: DNF430
Model: DNF430
UPC: 027242683440
EAN: 0027242683440
ASIN: B000EEQ83K
Release Date: February 17, 2006
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| Customer Reviews:
I like it but it has some problems January 29, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Well, I bought this product so I could play my mp3 discs on it on the go other than just on my stereo system, and since the space is only limited by the amount of CDs you can hold. I'm using it as a supplement to my HD mp3 player and stereo system but I'm finding I use it more than those even.
While my stereo and HD mp3 player can play mp3s just fine this sometimes has problems. when I was using my mp3 discs I made with windows media player everything seemed to be fine at first. Then, I noticed the cd player would stop for several seconds between tracks and make a crunching sound like the cd was stopping and then spinning again. I thought this was normal. Also, the mp3 discs started skipping at certain spots (the shock protection doesn't seem to work for this) and some wouldn't even play all the time. I tried them on my stereo and computer at the same spots and there was no skipping or anything. So, I started burning mp3 discs using another program and it fixed the crunching sound and the long pause but it still skips in some spots but not as much as before. So, in other words I don't think it handles MP3 discs well with any kind of error on it no matter how small or even discs without errors. I haven't used it much for regular CDs but it seems to play them fine.
The sound isn't all that great even with better earbuds and messing with the equilizer trying to make it better. My HD MP3 player and stereo(it's a cheap one BTW) sound quite a bit better. There seems to be a lot of static, fuzz with this player.
The battery lasts a long time. I'm using sony rechargeables and get 13 hours of playback, and I'm under estimating quite a bit I think.
This is a nice player but just be aware that it's not the best machine that plays mp3s.
Edit: The more I use this the more I don't like it. O.K., I realize playing audio CDs work fine. The problem is that it plays mp3 cds horribly, even after trying different software, different file systems and after finally getting it to work without the long pauses in beetween tracks. I reburned many CDs just to get it to work with this thing. It still skips and won't play all mp3 files or it will just play a few. Just when I think it won't skip or stop playing them it does. Like I said none of the options work for this problem. Sometimes it does it in the same spot which could mean that the disc is not right , but I doubt it because my Sony Stereo plays all my mp3 discs just fine, so it's probably not my fault. I don't know if it's because of the power saving technology or what but this is unacceptable for something of this price and the main reason why I bought this unit. I could of just used my old citizen that I got for a few bucks if I just wanted to listen to regular audio cds, and it sounds almost as good. I got a feeling all of these sony cd walkmans of this model(and probably other models too) are the same and it's probably just not mine. That's why I really don't want to waste time and money sending it back and getting it fixed or replaced just for the same thing to happen. I would be interested in hearing what other people that use this mainly for mp3 discs think. Most of the reviews here don't really cover the mp3 aspect.
If this worked properly I think it would be even better than those flash or hard drive mp3 players.
EDIT: 3-30-08
OK, this is what I found out and why some don't work properly and the problem with the skipping every once in a while. If the file name is too long, there is anything else on the disc including album art or you use an incompatable file system, it won't play it properly even if it appears too at first. It still plays ATRACS smoother than MP3 discs, in other words no half to two second wait between tracks.
The problem with ATRAC is it doesn't sound too great even at higher bit rates, and Sony has pretty much dumped the format and Sonic Stage. The MP3 discs work that are made using Sonic Stage but Itunes does it better. Do NOT make a regular data disc of MP3s even if you don't put anything else on it because it probably won't work right, especially if you use one of those free burning programs.
Other than that it works great now that I got it figured out and after spending lots of money on discs trying to find a way to get it to work.
 Excellent January 22, 2008
Daisy's review really says it all. A great product at a great price. Everything I was looking for - and more!
The only quality portable CD players left standing. January 11, 2008
[Update: Notice that this player is already commanding a premium price. ATRAC is dead, and Sony and Panasonic are phasing out personal CD players. Sony no longer even makes a single-battery model. But what's left in the marketplace is sheer junk (don't be misled by the $20-30 price tags for GPX, Audio Solutions, Colby, J-Win, and all the other "generic" excuses for CD players). If you still want a CD player, now may be your last chance. Sony's DN340 is the best that's still available, and even that is going above retail.]
If you have a good portable CD player, hang on to it. Of the models currently advertised on Amazon as best-sellers--Colby, J-Win, Emerson--they're at best very temporary solutions, sure to fail in short order, to consume batteries voraciously, to skip and play erratically, to be deficient in volume. Only the Sony DN series is worth considering, even at twice the price of the others (including the more basic Sony models) and even if you have no interest in ATRAC/AM/FM/TV/Weather capabilities. Unfortunately, these features slow down and complicate operation (I still find it quickest to turn off the machine by simply opening and closing the lid). But most importantly, the Sony continues to work when the others fail. Moreover, Sony's getting the machine to run efficiently on a single AA battery is in itself a minor breath-through, practically making AC operation beside the point.
It's clear that manufacturers are no longer attending to CD player technology with any commitment, but if you're still a fan of the format, this line of Sony players is probably your best (maybe your last) hope. I'm not sure I understand why the compression features of the machine would appeal to some users more than an MP3 player, but if that's the trade-off for a decent CD player I'll put up with them.
Walkman Review January 7, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Excellent quality, competitive price, and very fast delivery. Very pleased with vendor and service overall through Amazon.
 Menu & feature items not accessible January 4, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
Sony DNF430 MP3/ATRAC CD Walkman Portable Compact Disc Player with AM/FM/TV/Weather Digital Tuner
I bought this to play audio CDs and listen occasionally to the radio based on star ratings. After a lot of fooling around I was able to get the volume control to work about half the time. The radio works and it plays CDs. None of the menu and various setup features are accessible. The instructions are useless; it's all by trial and error, mostly error. There is a toggle switch that seems to be central to the operation, but it is largely unresponsive. Working it several times usually results in a volume adjustment, but other times it switches away to unbidden modes. This gadget has endless features with impenetrable secret codes required to use them. I would certainly never buy this model again. There must be better products on the market.
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