Absolutely do not get an iPod, I currently have one and it is one of the worst products I've ever owned. I wouldnt buy a Creative product on principle because I expect the interface to be awful, but maybe theyve fixed all their problems I dunno. Irivers are pretty good, I'd go with an ihp-140 or whatever theyre called these days if you can find one cheap (and get a
decent pair of headphones with the money you save).