Karma for $175

Thought this might interest some folks

http://compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?sid...mp;category=MP3

There seems to be a 'clear out' happening on the Karma. Best Buy has them for 199 but only online now.
Is there a replacement coming out soon?

Wow thats cheap.

That has been the theory everytime there is a price change, but then again this isn't riovolution. When rio releases a karma replacement I'll be sure to buy one, but the timeframes are always guesses at best.

I really want to get a Karma...... the BestBuy online price with extended warranty may be enough to force me over the edge.
Its the indecision from waiting for a new player with bigger disk versus the risk that the new player will not have the good software.....
constant flip flopping here in the ashmoore household

Ah, and that is flip-flopping that is done without music (or audiobooks) playing in the background.

I would (always have and always will) recommend getting the player and enjoying it instead of waiting an undefined amount of time based on rumors of "something better" to come along.

Disclaimer: I am a Rio beta tester and I am covered under an NDA. Meaning that I can not say anything on this topic.

The karma in its current state works pretty well. The only annoyances I have with the thing are the shutdown or getting stuck problem. Which happens once or twice a month for me. It is easily fixed with a tap to the back or a hard reset.

is it possible to swap out the disk for a bigger one?

[edit] maybe I should check the faq first.......

I would definitely recommend the karma to anyone looking to purchase a DAP. I haven't had as many lock up issues as others. Rarely do I have to reset using a paperclip and I've thankfully never had any of the HD issues I've often heard about. The only issue I have with it is that the rotary wheel was poorly secured. If your clumsy like me and you drop it, pray you it doesn't land on the wheel otherwise you'll have to epoxy it back on. Despite that I'd say getting the karma at this price is a great bargain and if you have even the slightest interest in it then you should just break down and buy it.

The 40GB disk is thicker than the 20GB. That said, the answer is actually yes, if you're willing to do some work and take some risk.

I read a project somewhere online where someone did squeeze a 40GB disk into a Karma. He used a dremel to remove much excess plastic from the inside of the unit.

I'm sure a Google would find it.

40GB Karma hack
http://www.mindknob.com/hack/

I knew I shouldn't have waited on bestbuy. They no longer carry the Karma, it must have been a $179 clearout.
If I have waited this long, then a few more months a difference will not make.......