Hi everyone, many thanks for your helpful responses.I went back to the Shack and found the 1/8 to rca adapter (thanks again Joe). I plugged a pair of Harmonic Technology Truthlinks in, just to see how much of a difference there would be when compared to the $5 adapter with rca terminations. Well...the Truthlinks do give a smoother, bigger, and less grainy sound, but given the source, it is not that big a difference. If I planned to play lots of CD-R I would keep the adapter with the Truthlinks, but for an occasional listen, the other adapter is just fine. Maybe I'llI will look into finding a decent under $50 set of interconnects at Audiogon, and use the 1/8 to rca adapter. I can't afford to tie up a $200 pair of interconnects for an El Cheapo portable CD player. As a Sony DVD9000ES owner it was a relief to know that I can inexpensively get CD/R and CD/RW playback by purchasing an inexpensive portable CD player. My toal cost is under $35. I got the Sony portable at a Sony Discount center at an outlet center in Woodbury Common, N.Y. They sell many discontinued or refurbished units at around 70% off original prices. Just thought to pass that along for anyone in the area. I'm not sure if they would make shipping arrangements, but you can always call and ask. I will post their phone number when I find the damn receipt . As I write I'm listening to the portable through the Truthlinks, and it's sounding better to me by the minute, I guess that with having them up in my closet for 6 months they needed a few minutes to "warm up", now I'll have to think this over! Thanks again. Martin
