Apple Ipod

Go for it, I'd consider the 20 or 30GB over the 40GB version and use the extra $ to buy a pair of premium headphones like etymotics.

before you buy the i pod, encode some cds to mp3, convert back to wav, and burn on a disc. play them in your system and see if you like what you hear. if you don't like the way mp3 sounds you might not want to do the i pod thing.

I might be a bit biased, being an Apple dealer, but as a music lover, the iPod really makes it possible like never before to make a large collection of music practical in almost any environment. As an example, my typical morning starts out in the car on the way to work listening to music on the iPod, played through an iTrip, a device that sends a radio signal that's picked up by the car stereo. Sounds much better than you would think. At work, I drop it into its cradle and play it through my office system. On weekends, I drop it into another cradle at our ski condo, and, voila, 400 to 500 CD's are at my disposal. Apres ski never had it so good! A good wine, a fire going, and Miles on the system; you get the picture!

How good is the Ipod in terms of it being used as the main digital source in your system? Any good minijack to RCA connectors? Also, can I upload my CDs onto the Ipod?

Recently I started dling some music and movies onto a 8.5mm 60 gig external USB notebook drive, and the sound and picture is tremendously clearer and smoother when playing them from the USB drive than from my laptop's internal drive. I sort of want to explore this external drive avenue in terms of music playback in my system.

I have the ipod 40gb , got it at xmas. I also have a very good audiophile audio system. I highly recommend this tool. I have 2 cradles , 1 @ the computer and the other @ the stereo, which I take with me on the road.
I have 7800 songs from my collection, anytime anywhere I can listen to. It just doesn't get any better than that, for now. Parties no more changing cd's. Create your own files/ Dinner musik /Party musik/ On the road,skiing folder.

I have the
Etymotic 4P headphones
The Pivot mini to Rca interconnect
Creative -Travel Sound speakers ( WoW )unreal 3"x6" unit
I take this amazing little kit with me on holidays and this little speaker system is A MUST BUY, not cheap, but worth it.
Anyone know of any better sytem please let me know.

Nothing beats playing your music threw your chosen front end, on your home audio system. For comfort of random playing and travel, this is a 10/10 system for me.

Enjoy!