Hello, seeing this group and joining and my desire to have an MP3
player caused me to dust off the old Lyra RD2204A that was in a box
in the closet and get it to working. I'm currently using Energizer
NIMH rechargables in it and they work good. No issues there. Rather
than trying the whole Mp3/MpX deal I just did the following:

1. Converted my files to .WMA with bitrate of 96kbs.
2. Downloaded the PMP folder from the "Files" section here (THANKS!)
3. Grabbed a spare CF card (see below) and formatted it.
4. Using a generic 9in1 card reader copied the PMP folder and WMA
files to the card's capacity.
5. Powered up the Lyra and allowed the unit to read the files.
6. Listen to music!

Some helpful hints:

DO NOT USE VARIABLE BIT RATE (VBR) WHEN ENCODING! This will sound
chopped and garbled. Use Constant Bit Rate within device guidelines.

COMPACT FLASH CARDS: I used the process above and was able to listen
to music using the origional 64MB card supplied with the Lyra (yes, I
still have it and it works fine, just small), a 128MB SimpleTech CF
Card, and a A-Data 1GB Card.

With the larger capacity cards you can have no more than 100 files on
the card before you have to start using folders. I just named a
folder 1, 2, 3, etc. and placed 100 files in each until I reached the
card capacity. No problems.

Now for a request. Does anybody have a copy of the manual for this
unit? I seem to have the parallel port reader, the disk with the
drivers on it, but no manual. I'm sure it's somewhere. But I don't
know where. My search on the RCA site was unsuccessful and I wasn't
able to fine it online.

Thanks!