As far as Audiotron vs IR1000, I can't see anywhere that the IR1000 comes out on top. As an Audiotron owner (you can have my Audiotron when you pry it from my cold, dead hands! ) I know that it doesn't need a computer to function, and without a computer anywhere it will function in a similar capacity to the IR1000, with internet radio only, but the Audiotron supports MP3 and WMA internet radio formats.

In addition to that, the Audiotron has a TOSLINK digital output.

With all of the current worries over internet radio (the new heavy license fees that the RIAA wants to charge webcasters), the possibility of of buying the IR1000 only to have 99% of all the internet radio sites shut down, leaving your $300 purchase useless isn't too appealing. At least with the Audiotron you can play music from a local computer.

So what, if any, are the advantages of the IR1000 over the Audiotron, given that they're not only the same price, but I picked mine up at a local retailer for $299 (which is a huge advantage to me)?

- Mike