Where do you start? Is there any hope?

Is the sonic impact any good?

Variable volume is simply a level control on a cd player, so when you hook it directly to an amp, it becomes your volume control, this is a very good way to go for both cost and sound quality, less equipment in your path will give you the best sound possible, and in your case save you money aswell.
As for sound dynamics rts3 that is simply a model number of a peice of equipment....I think a speaker but dont quote me

the sonic impact is quite good. it sounds very clear, detailed and full. however the bottom octaves ar a bit rolled off, and speakers will need to be decent efficency. i ran 86dbl fronts up to about half volume on the sonic impact before distortiion became noticable. it was loud, but if van halens jump came on you'd definately want more juice than it can give. does that make sense? anyway sound dynamics rts-3's are a bookshelf speaker. the company is now called athena and the bookshelves under that name are similar in build and price. i have not heard them however, but they are supposed to be as good as the original. oh

Honestly, don't start. If you haven't started, walk away. Get the iPod and forget about it. Keep your sanity and just walk away. If you really love music, buy a guitar or a piano and learn to play, but forget about electronic audio. It has no endpoint.