Neuros N3

[carl]

mrchyles said it perfectly and I totally agree with him.  I feel 'betrayed'.  I've been checking these forums almost daily for news about the N3 for the past year and now we find out it's going to be 'at least' another year.  In my experience this means at least another 6 months after that.

So, mrchyles, I think you're right: neuros is missing a great opportunity right now and the technology will have changed so much in a year+ that it will have to be totally re-designed (e.g. the way things are going, 10-20GB flash players are going to be the norm by that time).

I think I'm going to have to do the unthinkable and get a ipod.  Ah well, I think waiting a year for vapor-ware is long enough.

Carl.

[RevRon]

Being one of the "long time" advocates and supports of Neuros regarding the N3, sadly I have to agree with you Carl.  []

It appears that the N3 is dead and will not be a viable instrument in our possession any time soon, if ever.  With all the delays and the focus being on equipment that doesn't truly fit the Audiophiles need or desire, I'm sorry to add my energy to the switching from the N3 to other available players.  [V]

I will keep watching and be interested in seeing how Neuros addresses this "opportunity" for development; however, since there is no meaningful growth in the direction of developing the N3, I am going to start researching other viable options. [?]

Do you really think that a 10 or 20 GB flash player will be available and reasonable soon?  That would be a very interesting development!  Imagine the size and the design you could have.  I know there are players that are using SD chips and I know some of those are fairly large in capacity.  I think that would be a nice option to the "Backpack HD".  []

Rev. Ronald G.

[Zithromax]

If NA really did care to release the N3, it would have been done by now. I doubt it's a personal attack on former Neuros owners or for just not caring. They probably think that there is greater interest in the general market for the Recorder or the 442 than the Neuros and therefore, they can make more money. I personally couldn't care less about the 442 or the recorder and I too noticed how many other things they have made since the last Neuros. At this rate I doubt the N3 will ever exist. I recommend everyone just buy something else. There's a lot of options out there and there's probably something that will work for you.

[carl]

Reverend,

In a year -> year and a half, there will be even more options than there are now.  Here's an example:

http://reviews.cnet.com/4531-10921_7-6535687.html

And we should also have bluetooth built in (imagine bluetooth headphones ... no wires ... mmmmmm).

Carl.

[mdt123]

As bummed as I was to hear JB say the N3 is at least another year away, I do appreciate that he was honest about it. I think it's got to be so hard for any company to compete with the iPod. Most folks have no idea what an "MP3 player" is, but at the same time, they all know about the iPod. And that's what they buy and that's what they buy their kids, etc, etc. Heck, people ask if my NII is an iPod all the time! I also think most of those people say the sound from theirs is great. Whatever; some of us do know the difference. I love my NII, but I want to get my hands on the N3 as much as everyone else here. I'm pretty sure I am going to wait for it too. I'm not happy about this news, but what are we going to do? I guess buy a different player, complain a little more or wait it out. DI knows there are a bunch of us waiting, but they have to run a business. I just hope they decide to offer that trade-in deal for those of us who have been waiting for so long.

(mdt)

[RevRon]

After the initial shock of the time delay and the lack of information about the status, I too was pleased that Joe was honest and coming out with a timeframe.  I also know that the timeframe can shift; maybe longer and maybe shorter (I pray that it will be shorter.)  After all, who knows what the future holds and with all the work being accomplished on the 442 and the R3, the N3 could be right around the corner!

I too will wait for the N3.  I will appreciate it much, MUCH more when I get it because the potential of it will be greater the longer we wait for it.  Look at how fast the computer industry is growing and developing; the N3’s technology will advance just as rapidly.  I know the market share might not be as great, but then again, word-of-mouth can do a lot for a product, and loyal "fans" of Neuros can really generate a lot of positive energy!  Let's all start focusing on the "best" N3 that the Neuros Team can, and will, create.  By holding that vision in our "collective consciousness" we'll create the environment for a perfect mp3 player to come out soon.  Also, by keeping up beat and positive, we can generate "good vibes" that will go out into the Universe and create that perfect N3 sooner rather than later.  (Yes, I'm a New Thought minister and we look for the good in everything! [])


Rev. Ronald G.

[mdt123]

Ahh, the religion of "healthy-mindedness". Let's change our experience by changing our thinking. Good vibes never hurt anyone. So maximize your potential and vibe away Rev! I'll do the same.

[JoeBorn]

It really does pain me to dissapoint you guys.  As you know, I take this stuff very personally.  I also recognize that many of you would feel "abandon," and believe me, that factored very heavily into our thinking.  There was an enormous amount of thought and discussion (more of which should have been online but it just happened to be in-person meetings, etc).

In a nutshell, all of us agree that there continues to be a great unserved area of the market for the N3.  And the MP3 market is absolutely massive.  The real trouble is that the standard for success is really "masterpiece." The iPod is on Gen 5 now and they've squeezed every cubic millimeter out of the thing, not to mention the effort that's gone into the firmware and software (and iTMS).  

None of that is said to mean that we can't compete.  We're all firm beilevers that we can.  There's a good chunk of users that just want drag and drop and to eliminate iTunes altogether, a good chunk don't want to iTMS either, etc. etc.  There's no question that we don't need (or want) to duplicate what Apple (or the rest of the market) is doing.  At the same time, we do need to have parity with them on a lot of areas and that's simply not something we currently have the resources to do.  The Recorder and 442 are growing our business and allowing us to add those resources.  The 442 was just a lot easier to develop because we're using the housing and mechanical that the factory had already built.  Again, that housing is solid and high quality and adequate, but hardly the masterpiece level required for the N3.

It's painful, and more painful for me than anyone, I can promise that, but I do believe it's the right thing to do.  I won't say there aren't other alternatives, there are, but overall I believe this is the right choice.

jborn (at) neurosaudio.com

[carl]

Wow.  Thanks for the heartfelt update Joe.  I believe that's all we were asking for was just some sort of understanding behind the slow development of the N3.  After reading that comment, I'm going to hold off purchasing another mp3 player for a while (heck I've waited this long =) and will keep monitoring the forums because I really do want to buy a Neuros masterpiece.

Carl.

[RevRon]

I agree with Carl, Joe!

Thank you for your input and unwavering support in the quest for a perfect MP3 player.  Neuros truly is a "Masterpiece" on all levels, and just like the masterpieces of old which took time to create, the N3 will be a classic as well! []

Rev. Ronald G.

[degauss]

Ya know, I still have and love my N1.  Battery still chugging away and sounds as good as ever.  As I'm a roadwarrior and travel weekly I get sniggers from the iPOD guys all the time...unil they hear my ogg vorbis playback through the Bose NC headphones.  I'm kinda unique in my electronics buying.  I tend to use stuff until it's broken.  Then I buy something new.  Waiting for N3 seems like a good way to go for me too.

What's that oshifer? I swear dat light wuz ernch.

[mdt123]

I feel 'ya Joe. You got to do what you got to do. If Neuros can't stay afloat, then there will be no N3 to look forward to. Thanks for the updates though. Like the rest of us here, I eagerly await the unveiling of the N3, but I really can't complain about my NII. I used to complain about the size, but I'm over it. I love the thing! I use it daily and will, proudly, continue to. All I ask is that you leave us a note, every now and again, to let us know what's up with the N3.  - Thanks

[RevRon]

Yes please do keep us updated from time-to-time Joe and let us know you're still thinking about the N3, even though it might not be a in the front most portion of your agenda.  There are some diehards in this N3 Group, me being the "hardest", so know we're still out here anticipating!


Rev. Ronald G.

[chad(at)gambit.net]

Joe,

You know, if a lot of these design choices are happening in meetings and you'd like to share them with everyone online, why not podcast design meetings?  Set up a topic header so responses can go under each respective "episode"?

I'd say "Neurocast" it, but that's something entirely different and cooler.  

[CallMeDrWorm]

Thanks again Joe for the post. I still have my Neuros I and love it. I've dropped it a few times. Use it almost everyday at work. Again if the other things 422 and recorder are making you guys money to support the N3, then I say go ahead with them. I personally see no market myself for them. But who am I. I'll wait for the N3. Look forward to future post. Thanks again.

What are you looking at?