Top of the class

My second ipod, first was a gen 2 10 gig.
Classic is an excellent inteface with great features and build quality.
It seems redundent to say to many good things about this fine player...it has really all been said by others and many times at that.
Excellent form factor and build quality.
I differ from others on the earphone quality; as a non ethusiast who listens at lower volumn levels I find them very good. The headphones have a design that creates no feedback from the cables.
My main use is podcasts and music which I play through the car stereo.
Podcast playback is exceptional, allowing for resume upon return to unfinished podcasts.
The equalizer has multiple settings including spoken word for podcast playback...excellent feature. Podcasts playback with spectaular clarity.
Audiobooks have a play from resume feature as well and have a seperate filing system...wonderful.
I couple the unit with a Marwware Sportsuit, an excellent case.
Tried a Microsoft Zune 80 before this ipod and found it good but a slightly lesser machine in all detail.
At $249. the ipod classic is an extrodinary value priced at roughly half of the gen 2 I bought is 2002.
At this price it will make upgrades to newer units painless.
Seems to be priced at $249. with the exception of Walmart st $247.
I bought the 2 year extended warranty for $17., seemed cheap enough.