442 vs. Cowon A2

[ejp]

I know this forum is really for the 442, but I've posted this in some other places without any real great answers, so I'd like to ask the 442 users directly here.

I'm looking to buy a PMP, and right now, it's either the 442 or the A2. It seems the 442 is better at recording quality, although I've seen a sample, and it's nothing to be amazed about, but it's respectable. The A2 seems to be better at file handling and everything else, especially how it looks.

Right now, if I were pressed to buy one, I'd get the A2 because many consider the 442 to be too "premature". I know the 442 is just around the corner, although there's no set date, and I'm hoping for the whole  open-source thing to blow all the other PMPs out of the water.

I've read a lot about what may be the future of the 442v2, but the question remains, will the 442v2 be better than that A2? If anyone is really into the details of the 442v2, please post them. Tell me the capabilities of Linux and open-source, which I hope will win me over.

One other thing; if I should go with the 442, should I get it now and do the whole $100 trade in? It seems like a good idea, and although there's no set price for the next 442, is the trade in worth doing?

I also hope to get opinions from those who've used both []. Or perhaps other PMPs I should consider.

Thanks.

[Flamethrower]

While I cannot comment on the 422, I have owned the original neuros audio player and was faced with the same questions when I went into the market for a pmp 6 months ago.  

While I was quite pleased with the original neuros, and am a big fan of the whole open source concept, I did find that the wheels did move rather slow when it came to firmware updates and when they did come, there usually wasn't much I was interested in.  I always found the support of the product to be excellent, I did have a problem with the recharging connection and support took care of it quickly and for a nominal fee.  It was big and fairly ugly, but it did serve the purpose and it wasn't an Ipod.

Last December I decided to get a pmp and was seriously considering the 422, and ran across the A2.  Although I liked Neuros, the community and the concept of open source, I decided that rather than buying based on potential, to go with the A2 because it seemed much closer to working at it's potential.  I have been very happy with the purchase and to be honest am overwhelmed with the number of firmware updates (average about every 2 weeks).  Needless to say I am very happy with my choice, and since they have actually open up there source, an I am anxious to see what fruit that bares.

I really do like what John and his team have developed here at Neuros (both product and community), and although it may seem rude to recommend a competing product in this context, it seems candor has always been appreciated on this forum.  I obviously still check back in to see what's in the works and certainly would not rule out buying something in the future.