I have a huge collection of mp3's. Lots of really great stuff, ex. (Atomic Rooster. in hearing of) that I couldn't stand not listning to on something more than computer speakers. I started thinking all music has some sort of compression on it, mp3's included of course. So what I came up with was this. I purchased a dbx 3bx off ebay (the unit was like new $202.00) I hooked it to my soundcard line out (non-amplified). Then ran that into my Mcintosh 754 power amp. From there strait to a pair of Paradigm 7 se's. I used MIT termanator2 cables throughout. This really produces a good sound for me. You're right some mp3's are encoded better than others, but people are starting to make them pretty good now for the most part. There is so many software players win-amp being one, that have lots of controls I find no need for a pre-amp at all. The thing is , the dbx really improves the high and low end of mp3's and makes them much better to listen to.
MP3 players
I just got DSL and discovered napster and so I was thinking how cool it would be to have an mp3 player with all my favorite songs downloaded on it and set it on random play and just kick back. Who would need a tuner? It should sound at least as good if not better and no commercials just my favorite music all the time and free. I just downloaded some brittany spears, googoo dolls and, queen stuff in just a couple of minutes.( Hey I just realised I could have done it all simultaneously and it would have been faster). So does anybody know of a good player and do they have a digital output? Does anyone even make a rack mount type player or just cheap portable ones? And where can I buy it? Thanks.