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This one kicks ass and blows the Ipods out of the water. Supports FLAC yay!!!! and does recordings. Get the X5l version as it has way longer battery life. Mac compatible.
The M5 looks to be just as good.

Ok - don't know about the external unpowered mic thing. hmmm
You may have to email them on that one. That's getting awfully picky now ain't it? You just can't have everything in this world. It still beats thepants off the Ipod and CNET reviewers agree.

http://www.cowonamerica.com/products/iaudio/x5/

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everyone has an ipod for a reason. although i am tempted to buy one of the knockoffs because of how they have cleverly but and 'i' in front of all the names