Good (or even decent) sounding portable?

[jeendicott]

This question may end up stripping me of what little audiophile credibility I might have had, but what would forum member recommend in terms of a good sounding portable CD player (aka "boom box") that can be taken to a mountain cabin with minimal hassle?

I know nothing is going to provide quality even close to a good home system, but there's got to be something better than the Emerson I'm using now--worthy of the gold CD backups I'll be playing through the summer.

Another alternative would be hooking up my ipod to a good pair of computer speakers--but that would involve mp3s, which are less than ideal. Still, my Cambridge computer speakers sound okay.

Tanx in advance,

JE

[Dan]

Originally posted by jeendicott

Another alternative would be hooking up my ipod to a good pair of computer speakers--but that would involve mp3s, which are less than ideal. Still, my Cambridge computer speakers sound okay.

Tanx in advance,

JE

I have an iPod. I would think that would be the best solution actually. Why take a bunch of CD's when you can a ton of songs on the iPod?

I've found that most brand-name boom boxes that are affordable fall into the generally "acceptable" category. I wouldn't want to spend more that I have to for something that I would use infrequently.

I did see a killer deal on a Sony that they were blowing out at Target the other day. Semi-waterproof and played CD-R's and MP3 CD's too. $64!

[Claus]

I also agree... the iPod (Mac/Win) is the best portable music source. I mixed my own compilations and I have more than 4000 songs on the iPod...

[d.r.cook]

Originally posted by Claus
I also agree... the iPod (Mac/Win) is the best portable music source. I mixed my own compilations and I have more than 4000 songs on the iPod...

I "third" the ipod option and, as someone mentioned on the ipod thread here, you CAN load it with higher quality files in smaller quantity.

Also, take a listen to the Tivoli Auido products. I've got the new PAL all-in-one mono speaker with AM/FM radio and line-out for ipod or other player. Two folks in the office have the same set-up, but with the stereo version from Tivoli.

These products have always gotten rave reviews for the tuning section, and ability to pull in tough signals; the overall sound, for a portable, is good.

My buddies here have even got those customized cases with heavy padding inside for the various pieces that pack down to smaller than the average brief case.

doug