I don't want to sound like an empeg/Rio zealot, but everything about the Karma is better than the iPod.

Ahh, you misunderstand. I actually wanted to hear from a zealot I understand that the Karma has more features (many of them inherited from the empeg) than the iPod, but in a portable player I just wouldn't use them. My iPod is always on random because I use it while working out or doing something else relatively active. A portable player (for me) isn't for serious listening, I would do that in a home (or at least car) environment where I am more of a captive audience. Also the iPod has some subjective advantages as far as I can see (simpler interface, more attractive, better build quality).

Anyway, I wasn't intending to hijack this thread to discuss what was the better product and my perceptions regarding pros and cons of the two devices may be totally incorrect. I was just wondering why somebody would get both!

-Mike