[MarWax]

I have a European (n7000) note and I agree with most of you that the sound is just terrinble. I had many phones (P900, P1i, X1 etc.) and all were far better that the Note. I love this phone and I am deeply dissapointed but this issue. I tried the Neutron player suggested here and although there was a difference in the sound, it wasn't something that I would say "better", just different. In my Note the Neutron also produced some jitterring noise. As I said I tried many other players with no luck and I really can't see how a hardware issue can be fixed by software.
 
As many Note owners I am waiting for a solution to the USB digital audio output issue and hopefully I can add an external portable DAC/AMP.

 

[Retrias]

I have the international note 2 without the volume cap, the sound is better from the note 2 compared to when you try with ipod touch 4th generation , if they are both going from the headphone jack , but eh  you can plug in a USB dac into it anyway , so its not a big deal for me
edit:
well.... I didn't realize this is for note 1

 

[MarWax]

It seems you can do it with a modded note but I don't want to go this way for the moment.
 

 

[Gino]

I love my setup. Very airy, rich mids, punchy and low bass.

Galaxy Note n7000
Neutron Music Player with crossfeed
Analysis Plus Oval cable
Schiit Asgard amp
Westone UM3X RC