Pandora

I understand the term "in-home components" to mean components that have Pandora build-in from the factory as opposed to computers where you have to download the application. Examples would be my Integra AVR or Samsung Blu-ray player. These just required me to enter a password to get started.

I use Pandora daily on my system. It's no match for a CD or SACD, but it sounds good enough to impress anyone that listens. I have to prove to them that it doesn't sound good by pulling out something better. I've been way more impressed that I would have ever anticipated. It's far better sound than my iPod on the dock using similar music files. Pandora is 128 MP3 and it takes Apple Lossless on my iPod to sound equal or better.

You can build quite a nice system and still enjoy an improved Pandora sound, it'll just never sound as good as other sources can.

Sfar - What I was intending to say (correctly or incorrectly) is that my receiver indicates that the Pandora files are 128 MP3 files. Am I understanding that if I pay the $34 per year I will get higher quality 192 MP3 files or will the same quality files just stream faster? Am I completely confused as to what my receiver is telling me?

I may be upgrading soon, thanks.

As a follow up, Pandora One doesn't not work on in-home components. I'm fairly certain that this means that my Integra receiver wouldn't benefit from an upgraded subscription. I'm glad I found this information on their website before paying the $36, it appears to only be a benefit where the program is downloaded.

http://blog.pandora.com/faq/contents/64.html