EggXpert

everyone agrees, the iPod EQ presets is a joke, distort/crackling very badly when enabled.so i found some useful information from this article...

http://www.dapreview.net/content.php?article.133

"All mp3 files have a default volume tag of around 95 to 105dB (decibels - a unit of loudness). When the iPod plays at this output volume, distortion does not occur. When you boost the iPod's bass however, with the equalizer, you are increasing the volume of the lower frequencies past this value (in order to make them more prominent amongst the other frequencies of the sound), and this, in turn, causes clipping and distortion. Basically, the iPod's amp is trying to output a volume that is greater than its inbuilt volume limit - so it serves crackling. By using MP3Gain to reduce the volume tag of your mp3 files to around 89dB, we can leave some headroom to further boost some frequencies without overdriving the iPod's amplifier."

Ripping songs from an iPod is a lot easier than many think.  Just follow these easy steps:

1) Open "My Computer"

2) Double Click on your iPod (should show up as a portable hard drive)

3) At the top of the window, click on Tools>Folder Options

4) Click on the View tab and select the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders"

5) Copy the hidden music folder to your music library folder

6) Right-click on the newly copied music folder and go to Properties

7) Uncheck the "Hidden" option

8) Now, in iTunes, add the newly copied folder to your library.  If iTunes is set to automatically organize your music, it will automatically organize and re-name all of your songs for you. 

Guardian:

Ripping songs from an iPod is a lot easier than many think.  Just follow these easy steps:

1) Open "My Computer"

2) Double Click on your iPod (should show up as a portable hard drive)

3) At the top of the window, click on Tools>Folder Options

4) Click on the View tab and select the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders"

5) Copy the hidden music folder to your music library folder

6) Right-click on the newly copied music folder and go to Properties

7) Uncheck the "Hidden" option

8) Now, in iTunes, add the newly copied folder to your library.  If iTunes is set to automatically organize your music, it will automatically organize and re-name all of your songs for you. 

There are a lot of media players other than iTunes out there that will do this automatically.  Winamp or Foobar2000 being my preferences.  iTunes has the worst iPod support if you ask me :]