How do I get an AV system set up using a computer and sound files that will reproduce sound from music as good as they used to in the 1970's? I want to get rid of my CD's for storage reasons but the sound from mp3 files sound tinny through my Bose 321GSX

Thanks Zen - the bose system itself has a hard drive in it for storing 200 CDs for play back - you would think they would have made a system to handle mp3. The Bit rate is not the highest, but not the lowest either. If you were to dump the Bose and get a system, what would you buy? I like the warm audio sound you used to get from stereo systems with a good receiver and speakers but they dont seem to go well with computer based recorded music

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by anucha123 on November 17th, 2008

Is this a system that you want to hook up to a HD TV at some point? If so, I'd suggest looking at something like the Samsung HT X50 Home theater system, which you can get for around $200, has a five disc changer but also natively supports mp3, DivX and other formats, as well as allowing you to plug in an mp3 player. So a decent MP3 player (not ipod) with about 8 Gb on it and this system should give you a good start.

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by Anon y mouse on November 17th, 2008

Thanks again Zen! Super helpful

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by anucha123 on November 17th, 2008

No worries.

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by Anon y mouse on November 17th, 2008

I have a great old receiver but I want to do away with vinyl, turntables, CD players and large speakers. Want to consolidate space and junk by running everything through the computer, creating a centralized home/audio/visual/TV/home office, using my computer and peripherals. But dont want to lose the great warm, clear, crisp audio sound of the past! Want to have it all, and maybe I cant. But I want to get as close as I can, and know one way or the other what I am going to have to give up to achieve modern convenience

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by anucha123 on November 17th, 2008

I'd keep the receiver and use the computer to serve up the sounds, assuming you have the space. The computer is always going to be able to play the latest format....no matter what. And the receiver gives you the sound you are used to. But Zen's option is another possibility.

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by lastwraith on November 18th, 2008