that explains why i can detect deviations in the quality from time to time.

too bad you need error correction, otherwise 44kbps per channel would suffice.

someone needs to build one of these receivers with a firewire out.

I was disappointed with the Delphi Unit. The output from the unit has a very poor s/n ratio (worse than my tape decks btw) and i couldn't get rid of the hiss. I spoke to Delphi and they know it's a problem and said it wasn't designed for audiophiles. I guess running it through a high quality home system reveals just how crappy their "near CD quality" audio really is. I hope the other units are better.

I agree with all of the positive comments here. I've had XM radio for about six weeks. It's awesome. The sound is not CD quality, I don't think, but it far exceeds what I get with an FM radio. It's way into that area where I can just sit back and enjoy the music without worrying or fretting over the sound. The variety and programming are excellent. I listen to it every day.

BTW, I only use if for home use, in my bedroom and in the living room. No reception problems in D.C., but that's no surprise.

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This is news to me.The guys at XM radio were loudly touting the sound quality of the Delphi unit during the CES exhibits.A large bunch of the engineers at Delphi are DIY audio geeks and could be found at the high-end exhibits at CES.There were at least a dozen units installed in high-end audio systems during the show,most notably the system in the Vandersteen room.I was also told by the XM people that they are about to get a very positive review from The Absolute Sound and that they have review units at Stereophile and a few audio review sites.That is the very first really negative comment I have heard about the sound quality.Mine sounds fine,not really "CD quality" ,but better than any FM broadcast I have heard on any quality hi-fi tuner that I have owned.

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I researched this after I had already taken my unit back and easily came across a half dozen threads on this problem.

Maybe your unit doesn't hiss. My Dad has one and it seems to sound better than mine through his $300 mini system. The problem seems to largely be associated with the input impedence of the gear you are connecting it to.

I'll try to find the site.

Here's a good start.

http://66.246.14.172/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=37

For the sake of completion, the hiss problem affecting Delphi Skifi units will soon be resolved. Currently, Delphi provides (for free) a mini-RCA cable with an inline filter that removes all the hiss. This cable will eventually be included in all shipments.

XM enthusiasts being who they are, the causes of the hiss and various solutions were arrived at independently. Suffice to say that the hiss is not a problem any more. The relevant thread is here:

ClubXM discussion of hiss on Delphi units

To me, XM Radio's sound quality is markedly below that of a 128kbps MP3 stream (try Virgin Radio's live feed, for example), on average better than FM in terms of noise and compression, but definitely of lesser enjoyment than a good FM broadcast. There are audible artifacts in most streams -- most noteably a smearing of transients (e.g., cymbals) -- that lends a certain fragility to the sound. Moreover, the treble is noticeably rolled off. I have a pet peeve with the classical channels not having enough characters to display the performers' name.

The upshot is that my 40GB's of my own EAC-ripped, Lame-encoded 256kbps VBR files gets heard maybe a tenth of the time I'm listening to music. XM is almost always on. I love the variety and the sheer quantity of new music. The commercials are so short as to not be a problem. At least with XM the channels don't all go to commercial at the same time

Highly recommended.

Well after listening to Tuberoller's XM radio last Sunday I went ahead and ordered the Home system for $99. I am looking forward to using this primarily at work and secondarily at home hooked into my speaker system.