Thomson Lyra PDP-2756X - MP3/Player recorder

For a while I've been wanting an MP3 player which can take external cards. I've also wanted something capable of recording in quality over line in.

I recently came across this little bijoux from Thomson which I bought from RueDuCommerce for just 47 euros here. Oops, seems I was too slow they don't have any left!
I ordered it 25th (late evening), it arrived on 27th and now 30th their all gone.

Anyway, I wanted to say something about why I ordered this and my first impressions.

I'd seen comments on the rueducommerce site from people who'd tried it with a 1GBy SD card (Thomson support upto 512MBy apparently).
I also ordered a 2GBy SD card (actually a Transcend mini-SD card with adaptor) so eagerly filled it up with MP3s to see if the Lyra could read it. Success!

I'm really pleased with this as a player. Nice user interface with clear menus. A little slow to browse my (2GBy!!) SD card but that's normal I guess. Coloured back-lit LCD display.
I like the layout of the display showing filename (scrolls), artist and track info as well as time and track time information. However the font is small. I like that though I've found that when I'm at the Gym I can't pedal and read at the same time!

I intend to use the line in to record old cassette tapes.
I expect I'll get better quality going straight to a PC but this shouldn't matter too much for these 20 year old tapes. I'll test and see. Will update here ....

Verdict: 9/10 - for the price it's excellent
+ I guess 47 euros was a sale price
+ takes 2GBy SD cards (will try 4Gby later ...)
+ has internal 256MBy (good as emergency)
+ records from line in
+ nice Display and menus - but you have to like small characters
+ Takes standard AA battery (autonomy untested but seems fine so far on NiMh rechargeable)
+ Complete with USB cable, behind the ear headphones, 3.5mm male-male cable, neckstrap

Should have a look at what's on the CD which came with it.
I might read the manual when I'm on holiday, then again who reads manuals ...

Thank-you Thomson,
Thank-you Rue du Commerce.