[*_*]

it sounds like you have an ?amp/receiver? and an ipod (what model ipod do you have?). if so... problem solved. run a 1/8 in. to stereo RCA cable between the two. this is what i do with my beat up 1st gen. 10 gb ipod. works like a charm. i just rotate the playlists on my powerbook every few days, or when i get a whim to hear something in particular that's not already loaded up. takes about as long as digging through ten shelves of CDs, so it's not really any more time consuming with all the unplugging/plugging/loading, etc.

i plan on getting apple's airport express soon, primarliy for the airtunes feature w/ optical out.