While you're saving that $250 over the next year, feel free to indulge on any of the dozens of equivalent products already on the market at the $35 price point.
I'd be interested in a $250 one or even a $400 one if it had good features. 64GB storage (SD extention is cool, but built-in should be way higher) and 20 hours battery ain't that. No mention of the DAC and headphone specs are a joke. 3.5mm? For $250 I want a 1/4-inch jack for hi-fi headphones as well...
I felt like a real hacker when I did it!
You are also correct but I think I recall 512GB CF being way more expensive than SD which I paid $32 for Sony 2 years ago. Different iPod models had different adapters too. I think the mini was a CF card or similar