Yes, it will play any normal CD I've come across, and also plays some fancy formats such as MP3 disks etc... And yes, it's great as a speaker solely for CD music, I'd be happy with it. However if can get BeoLab 3s instead, I would suggest it as you'll be able to place them wider apart...

linder: If there is an inclination to Microsoft products, there is always the Zune player which includes an FM radio and the ability to share songs with friends who also have a Zune. There are many colors available The worst color is brown. The Beosound 2 is a most distinctive design and will be for a long time. After saying all this, it is true, Macs

I know exactly what you mean about the amount of music. I run two iTunes libraries (one on a 750gb external hard drive ~10,000 songs, and one on my laptop's built in drive ~1,000 songs), and as CoverFlow is practically useless with the former. Great with the latter though...

True, although I only have CoverFlow on my Nano, my 80gb iPod is of the previous generation with nothing but a boring list of artist names. My Nano only carries my favourite albums plus a few new ones to listen to and it works beautifully...

Do you think anybody noticed?

Now that I can use the AppleTV as an AirTunes station, I mostly listen to iTunes through my stereo. In fact it's so good that even dad is impressed (difficult to do with technology) and is looking at getting some Airport Expresses for use around the house (in the kitchen and lounge). The iPod Touch would make a brilliant remote control...

The new Spotlight is great. It searches the dictionary, is a calculator (try typing in something like 5*9 or whatever, very quick!), and also searches inside files, not only on your own computer but also on others on the network (a new Leopard feature, although most people don't seem to realise that Spotlight has always been able to search inside files

Before I go on, I'm an iPod fan so I'm evidently going to be biased! I've had 3 iPods and they've all been fantastic (and all still work fine more or less). The B&O MP3 players do sound better, it's true, but you'd expect them to given the cost. The BeoSound 6 is a big step up from the iPod in terms of sound. However, she will find it to be more limiting

The BeoLab 7-1 and 7-2 are stunningly good. I'm still surprised every time I hear one just how they defy the sound you'd expect. I'd compare them to BeoLab 3s in a lot of ways, definitely a massive step up from the BeoCenter 6 you mention... completely different sound...

I'm assuming from what you've said that the Avant and BS4000 aren't actually linked together? If not, I recommend you do this, and then you can use the Avant's built in speakers.