Bring MP3s to Your Stereo With Ease

Michael Gowan

Your stereo can become the best MP3 player you've ever heard, thanks to the $300 AudioTron digital music player from Voyetra Turtle Beach. Unlike more-expensive stand-alone MP3 stereo components, the AudioTron uses your PC as a music server, connecting via an ethernet or HomePNA 2 network (HPNA lets network data use phone lines). Your music files reside on the PC's hard drive, and they stream to the AudioTron when you select them via the device's built-in LCD.

Tinker with a network, and you risk trouble. In setting up my shipping unit, I found a compatibility problem with the router I use for DSL bandwidth sharing on my ethernet network. Voyetra tech support eventually found that the conflict involved the router's firmware; an upgrade from that vendor's Web site resolved it.

Once set up, the AudioTron sounded great. It plays MP3, WMA, or.wav files. Even an MP3 file recorded at a skimpy 96 kbps--which sounded garbled when played on my PC--came out defect-free via the AudioTron. At 320 kbps, the sound approaches CD quality.

The AudioTron's easy-to-read, backlit LCD lists artist, song, album, and time during playback. When not playing music, you can use the included remote control to browse your library over the LCD by song title, artist, album, genre, or playlist (assuming you've created these on your PC).

Buying Information

AudioTron Great sound quality, easy access to music library, affordable. Network setup can be trouble. Worth possible headaches. List price: $300 Voyetra Turtle Beach 800/233-9377 http://www.voyetra-turtle-beach.com