Home audio became digital long ago but it's still facing a digital revolution. The delivery methods are turning digital from your home, the Internet and satellites. Whether wired or wireless new options are being introduced almost daily including instant access to millions of tracks without ever having to purchase them. For a few dollars a month you can have access to a world of music.

      The new generation of HD players have introduced audio codecs via HDMI and it will be at least this winter before AV receivers will be able to catch up. Until then your AV receiver's analog inputs or HDMI PCM capabilities just might fully support these next generation audio codecs if you happen to use one of the few currently available future proof AV receivers.

      The times are changing and today is the best time ever for enthusiasts. Never before have we been able to enjoy our music and movies at such high quality, listen to our music wherever we want and have it instantly delivered to us from around the word.

      Here are a few hints to hopefully make your purchasing decisions a little more successful.

• Audition speakers if at all possible in your listening environment

• Invest in high quality speakers as they will long outlast your other equipment

• The listening environment will greatly influence your system's sound

• Sound absorbing panels can dramatically improve your room's acoustics

• Consider using a NAS for local music storage and Internet music services for whole house distribution

• MP3 players which feature Internet music services can open a world of music for a small monthly fee

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