You're right, when we're spending the time to rip, got to do it at a reasonable level that strikes the right balance between size, portability and quality - we'd all be ripping to FLAC otherwise Sure am glad I didn't spend a lot of time ripping my CD's when 128kbps (or even 192kbps) was considered "plenty" good!

I did read that some found MP3Gain could "theoretically" mess with a good APS/APX encoded file, but I think it is probably one of the best options practically speaking. Right now, Replay Gain is awesome because it doesn't touch the MP3 and works fine in normalizing all my files when I sync the iPod with JRMediaCenter. That's if I'm listening through the headphone jack - and those were the "dark" days of my iTrip usage (until two days ago ).

JRMediaCenter works great with TiVo's HMO, check out the 30-day trial! Another nice software is Predixis MusicMagaic Mixer, which also works with HMO.