So how do I make iTunes sound good?

Factual Questions
1

Whenever I listen to iTunes I find myself turn it up. And if I happen to listen to a track through Windows Media, not only the volume, but also the quality is blowing my ears off. Heck, even listening to some tracks on YouTube makes me go “Whoa my speakers rocks!” But back on iTunes I turn everything up but still no push.

I’ve googled about some and worked the eqaulizer, and it got somewhat better, but not close to when playing the same tracks with Media Player for instance.

So… uhm, what’s the straight dope on this?

(iTunes 7.0.0.14. Windows XP Professional on a Dell Dimension system. Oh, if you’re gonna bother me about that, I’ll tell you I did this installation six years ago and it has worked flawlessly since–close to never rebooted–SP:s excluded–using the ICF and ICS; as a matter a fact, I don’t see me changing any the next six years either so knock if off mac users.)

2

Hmmm don’t know. I just played the same track in iTunes and Windows Media Player, they sounded identical.

3

Sounds like a codecs issue. Itunes and MP sound identical on my system. I know you’re proud of your 6 year old system, but some sound driver and codec updates might be in order. Also is your Itunes the latest version?

4

What kind of files are these? MP3, AAC? What bitrate?

Have you tried turning the equalizers off in Windows Media and iTunes, and comparing that way?