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+-- Forum: Tangara (https://forum.cooltech.zone/forumdisplay.php?fid=3)
+--- Forum: General (https://forum.cooltech.zone/forumdisplay.php?fid=5)
+--- Thread: Questions on Crowd Supply Edition (/showthread.php?tid=173)
Questions on Crowd Supply Edition - NovaRainbow - 2025-05-08
Hi there! I'm considering getting a Tangara, as I'm fed up with the current state of popular technology. I'm considering ordering one from Crowd Supply, but I want to make sure that it's the right kind of audio player for me before I commit.
I'm not especially tech-savvy, and I want to make sure that I'm not biting off more than I can chew with Tangara. Am I correct in assuming that the Crowd Supply version comes fully assembled? If I just need to screw it all together, that's fine, but I don't have experience with soldering. I'm also wondering about the ordering process. It says on the Crowd Supply site that current pre-orders will be shipped around May 16th. If I miss this pre-order period, will I have to wait for the next batch of pre-orders? And if so, how much time typically passes between batches?
I'm considering the Tangara because I want an audio player that's sturdy and reliable, that I can take with me wherever I go for years to come. I'm not an audiophile (I currently mostly listen to music on my Google Pixel), so I'm not picky about audio specs, but I want a bespoke device that I can store all my music and podcast episodes on. I don't really have the brain for coding (numbers are my sworn enemy), but I'd like to dip my toes into it with the customization options. Same with the hardware: I don't currently have skill with it, but I can follow instructions, and I see the Tangara as a potential learning opportunity! Especially with the forum here, and the open-source documentation.
So, all in all...do you think the Tangara is the right kind of device for me? If not, I'd be open to any other recommendations!
RE: Questions on Crowd Supply Edition - sbszine - 2025-05-09
It's shipped fully assembled and it's easy to update the firmware. The audio sounds great too. It's a bit more technical than something like an ipod though, e.g. playlists are something you need to create as a file and copy onto the SD card. It's also pretty new so still some kinks being ironed out. You don't need any programming knowledge but it would help if you know (or want to learn) how to use a command line.
The other thing to keep in mind is there are some SD cards that play nicely with it and some that don't. There's a thread here of recommended cards. I've found the SanDisk cards are a really tight fit too, so even where they are technically compatible they are harder to work with than some other cards (the Samsung ones fit easily).
RE: Questions on Crowd Supply Edition - NovaRainbow - 2025-05-09
(Today, 02:06 AM)sbszine Wrote: It's shipped fully assembled and it's easy to update the firmware. The audio sounds great too. It's a bit more technical than something like an ipod though, e.g. playlists are something you need to create as a file and copy onto the SD card. It's also pretty new so still some kinks being ironed out. You don't need any programming knowledge but it would help if you know (or want to learn) how to use a command line.
The other thing to keep in mind is there are some SD cards that play nicely with it and some that don't. There's a thread here of recommended cards. I've found the SanDisk cards are a really tight fit too, so even where they are technically compatible they are harder to work with than some other cards (the Samsung ones fit easily).
Thanks so much for your reply!! I'm definitely willing to learn these things. I've never made a playlist file before, but I figure at worst it'll just be time-consuming. The tip about the SD cards is super appreciated!! That's definitely something I wouldn't have thought of until I accidentally bought the wrong one....
I've used command lines maybe...three times? So I'm not entirely inexperienced with them, lol. I figure anything I can't figure out from looking at guides and past threads, I can just directly ask about.