ISD Devices vs MP3 devices + Quality+ Miniaturization

[BENOIT]

I have been told that ISD devices have a crappy quality
I have two engineering sample of the ISD5116 and would
like to realize a prototype controlled with IIC with any kind
of microcontroller.
do you have any ideas further more to store 4 minutes of
good audible quality audio signal?
someone tell me instead of using an ISD chip that
he would be tempted to buy an MP3 device (a whole device
- not a chip) and use that. $30USD or less!
what do you think about ISD device quality+miniaturization+low
power;
Also I wonder what microcontroller to use with the ISD5116 chip
which is controlled by I2C protocol. this is a 3V supply chip,
any hints appreciated,
MB.

 

[Nick C.]

The quality has gotten better since the old ISD1xxx
chips. Still no MP3 player, but fine for voice prompts,
etc. Any microcontroller should do fine with this
interface - even a Basic Stamp would do.

Nick C.