Sony NWZ-A818 (8GB, black)

Pros: Menu navigation is simple and intuitive. Sound quality is Sony at its best, never needs bass boost rubbish etc, just great sound reproduction. Playlist!!! Yeah baby.

Cons: Proprietary USB connector, Why Why Why. Bluetooth can only stream audio, can not transfer file via bluetooth to the player, great idea half implemented.

Summary: Day one, brought a 4g iPod Nano ($229 NZD). Took it back the next day, why, iTunes. Next day Philips GoGear Vibe ($149 NZD), took it back, too basic in operation. Screen was too small as well.
Then at last this bad boy ($200 NZD). As a professional musician I needed a player that could make playlists of music for between our band sets. Sometimes we have rock, pop and hiphop, or easy listening depending on the venue. And she does it all! First copy over your albums and tracks in MS Media Player. Then using MP build up playlists and drop them in the sync window. If the song is on the player it doesn't copy it over just keeps it referenced in the playlist.
One other important thing is its wakeup speed. Don't what to be waiting for the break music to kick in or the crowd with walk off. the A828 starts playing almost instantly from OFF. Something the philips didn't..
As stated in the cons, I thought that I should be able to pair up the player with my laptop for bluetooth transfer of music but that is a no go. Bluetooth is a handy technology but isn't that greatly use in products here in New Zealand as yet.
Not intentionally but looking back at the portable music player I have had over the years they are always Sony, my cassette Walkman, my miniDisc, my HD miniDisc, and now this A828. Keep up the great work.