The first-generation iPod Shuffle offers superior sound quality in comparison to other digital audio players due to its SigmaTel STMP35xx chip having a push-pull headphone amp. Two transistors per channel instead of one result in a near-perfect square-wave rendering. Other single-capacitor audio players render it closer to a sine wave.

I have been so impressed by the sound quality and versatility of the first-generation Shuffle that I am on my seventh. Five replacements came under warranty from Apple within 48 hours. Apparently, the comfortable and useful lanyard does not imply jogging with it under your shirt. Sweat killed my first five - some within the same week. My sixth lived for over a year, outlasting its warranty before succumbing to the blinking light problem. Lucky number seven was sourced from an online acquaintance for less than what it would cost to drive to the Apple Store.

And it is this lucky Shuffle which has recently been set on fire. It was an honest accident involving an aerosol can as a makeshift flamethrower. Although scarred and stained, the Shuffle remains in active duty for my audio and pendrive needs. rebuild_db allows you to bypass the restrictive, bloated iTunes and simply drag files onto the Shuffle.

My headphones of choice are Skullcandy Ti’s. They offer excellent sound quality for their price, are very comfortable, have an enticing warranty, and come in a stylish white.