My Sister wants an i-pod

So help me out with a metaphor here, you can probably come up with a better one than this. "People who complain because an iPod can't possibly compete with their megabucks home rig would also complain that their Ducati can't pull their Airstream." Something like that.

Most of the time when you're going to be listening to an iPod there's going to be enough ambient noise that even the difference between lossless files and 160 kbps mp3's isn't going to make that much difference. But if you do want the best of both, put your favorites on there in lossless format and fill up the rest with compressed files. Kennyt is right, just put some music on it and annoy your fellow commuters by singing along.

Right on Sfar. You gotta have platinum ears to hear the diff when you are on an airplane, sweating on a treadmill at the gym or riding the bus/subway. don't worry, be happy!

I pod will never be a high end device.
By a multi p[aler CD instead. I pods suck for hifi

Thanks! You guys offered some great advice for this mid-40's, out-of-the-loop audiophile:
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I don't expect them to be high end, but when I travel, they are a must

your sister will probably be very pleased with the earbuds that come with the iPod.

put your favorites on there in lossless format and fill up the rest with compressed files. [That's a good idea; also, some CD's are recorded well (use lossless) and some aren't that well recorded to begin with...]

Get iPod 40Gb 'cause it doesn't pay to underestimate the fun

don't worry, be happy! [The best advice for an audiophile purchasing an iPod.]

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The an$wer to an audiophile's que$tion:
CD > iTunes (Apple Lossless Compression) > 40G G4 iPod (just sound; no photo or video) > HeadRoom Portable Amp (Airhead/Bithead of some sort) > Shure E3 or E4 earphones. Welcome to iPod nervosa!

[Thanks for the advice; problem is (not your fault), for a little more money than this she could put together a small home theatre system!]

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Thanks guys, I know know where to start and what it would take to make an iPod great (ok, good).

We'll start with a 40GB iPod and regular earbuds and avoid compressing files for a few weeks, then see where we are.

For the price of (good) earbuds one could purchase two pair of good Grado (125) headphones!!! We won't be going that direction right away. I think we will avoid comparing our factory earbuds to someone else's shure earbuds - ignorance will be bliss!

Thanks again; plus, now I also know how to SPELL iPod!

I have had an ipod for several years. I don't use my ipod at home because my main system sounds better and my record/cd collection can't possibly fit on any ipod built today. But I think that the ipod is fantastic for portable use and even with my headamp and Sennheiser HD600s the sound is better than fair. The ipod is a fantastic way to have access to several thousand of your favorite songs any place and any time.