MP3 audio quality

[mike587]

Is the audio quality of mp3's markedly superior when listening on
an mp3 player (as opposed to, say, listening on a laptop with DFX audio enhancer?)

 

[jsmithepa]

If you are talking 128 kbps MP3, it doesn't matter where you play it.

If you are talking 320 kbps MP3 (minimal compression) you may hear a difference.

Good original materials don't need enhancement. What may make a difference from a PC/laptop is noise shielding, PC/laptops tend to be noisy suckers that can interfere with audio, BUT interference only affect analog, so if you keep things digital and use an external DAC/amplifier is the way to go for golden ears.

An external DAC/amp also helps with the amplifier stage, which is often weak in ALL portable devices.

Don't go the deep end. If you can't hear it, what does it matter.