I want to start listening to music - how and with what device

[Soulvelocity]

Some questions are so dumb that some people think they're being set up. This is not a trick question. I'm not up on musical components so I have to ask the forum: is an MP3 player the best device for listening to music in your home? I've overhead some people say that MP3 players are not the best devices for listening to music. These people appear to be anti-MP3. If MP3 players are not the best device for listening to music, what do you recommend? Please note:

>i live in an apartment, so I don't have a lot of excess space to store large hardware items

>cost isn't really a concern

>i already have some 5.1 external speakers that are of good quality (the Logitech Z-5500's)

>i'm not concerned with portability, portability is not a priority, though if it comes featured with the device that'd be a bonus

>i host people in my apartment, so sound quality is important

[Spade5]

I don't claim to know but I believe there different levels of MP3 files. Depending upon which level the file is saved at, you can lose some of the detail you would hear on a CD. At my age and the volume level I listen at, I don't think I would notice the difference. Seems like the difference is sampling rate or something like that. The higher the rate the more detail but the bigger the sound file.

If you know someone who has an I-pod that contains the type of music you listen to, try hooking it up to your 5.1 speaker system to see if it does the trick. Most DVD players will play audio CDs so that might work as well.

[PeterV]

Usual mp3 encoding rates are 128 and 256kbs, still a far cry from audiophile quality.
Having said that, the type of music you listen to may not make a difference, for example heavy rock or music that has been heavily compressed during production.

Although music CDs have been eclipsed by MPEG technology (for the sake of speed and convenience) the audio quality between the two is undeniable. That also means you'll have to start buying CDs.

If you want more than mid-fi sound, there are a couple of ways to go about it without the cost getting out of hand.
A good quality CD player with an outboard D/A converter, a set of bookshelf speakers and a compact size integrated amplifier would leave a very small footprint in your apartment
A good example(pricey)Bang&Olufsen
or you can assemble the components yourself, new or used

And then (my favourite) there's vinyl...

[Rocky]

I don't know about MP-3 players but, my 26 year old Kenwood system in the living room does good enough for me and the bride of 30 years. If I want portable music I take a ride on the glide and turn it up!