The Sound of Tomorrow...Today -The Best Digital Audio Products for Your Gift List Bismarck ND

Posted by : Matt Lake

Cassette tapes and vinyl are going the way of the 8-track. Sure, some audiophiles still cling to analog sound technology, but most headphone-toting beat buffs are drawn to digital tunes. And even CDs are getting passé. Detractors rightly say that low-res MP3 files can ruin good studio recordings, but well sampled digital files don't get scratched, hissy, or stolen at parties--and you can edit them and take them with you, in ways that your old C90 mix tapes could never aspire to.

Portable digital music players

iPod

It's smaller than a packet of Cigarillos, lighter than two CDs, and can hold more than 7,000 songs. What's not to like? The iPod is also a stylish piece of work, with some great extras, such as a "fall to sleep" mode that plays you to dreamland and an alarm clock that jolts you out of it with your favorite tunes. It sports FireWire and USB connections, is compatible with Mac and Windows, and plays MP3s and the more compact Apple format AAC. List price: from $299 (10GB storage) to $499 (30GB).

Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen NX

It's no iPod, but the Creative Nomad Jukebox Zen has the goods where it counts. It's a mite heavier and bulkier than the sleek 30GB version of the iPod, but it's only slightly less stylish. It has a mind-boggling capacity of 60GB (more than the average desktop PC!), and sells for $100 less than Apple's stylish portable music pack. Does style matter more than substance to you? If not, encode 16,000...

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