Secrets of iTunes and iPod, music server

The author says apple 128 coding transparent enough for most music and
160 for more difficult classical.  He has both technical and musical
basis for saying so, and as also based on subjective listening. 
Provides info on getting different musical formats unto ipods for
correct access. 

After reading it occurs to me this makes it possible to set up a mac
based system with remote to control entire music collection and playbac. 
A mac mini for about $500 with the footprint of a cd case now has
frontrow' which works with a remote to control itunes and other
functions.  With an external largish drive even lossless coding could be
used.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/apple/itunes.htm