It sounds like a DAC-Amplifier would do what you're looking for. I think. Something like
http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E3-BK-E3-Hea ... +amplifier
or
http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E6-Portable- ... +amplifier

But I'm not sure if you will find 1 that will do everything you're looking for.

You might see if you can get a preamp for a turntable at RadioShack and see if you can use a patch cord for it then use the aux jack on the back or the 2CD input Jacks on the stereo unit.

Bob127, i agree that connecting my phone or iPod to the amp does not give you 'cd' quality music no matter how high a bit rate you have ripped at. The problem IS the player. I have yet to hear a player that is capable of producing actul cd quality. As for pre-amp. This would not help as the output of the player itself is the problem. And you shouldn't put output of a device that is already, albeit low, amp'd into a pre-amp.

Although I have looked for a way to do it I don't think you will get 'cd' quality from any player method. Of course I hope I am proved wrong

Amplified speakers are not a consideration.

On your stereo there and at the coast, when you plug your device into the aux port (which is what I'm doing) how is your sound quality as compared to a cd played on a device connected to your stereo?

My understanding is this: the signal coming out of the portable devices in not strong enough for the receiver (or stereo) to send out CD quality sound. Some kind of pre-amp is needed between the MP3 player and the A/V receiver. The sound quality I get right now from devices connected to the aux port is ok at best, but I need it sound good at loud levels - that is one reason I'm ripping files in lossless format.

Not sure if this answers your question but there are 'amplified' speakers available that you can connect to your laptop/phone/device. Also I have a stero here and at the coast that allows for aux input. I use that with my phone/ipod and computer as needed.

Is this what you were thinking of?

I cannot seem to find an answer very easily for this, seems fundamental . . .

I'm transferring my music collection of CD's to a portable hard drive that I can use with a laptop and MediaMonkey to play lossless files on my home theater system. I also want to take this same setup family vacation home. I also want the option of taking my Sansa Clip + with lossless files and playing over my home theater system. I also want the amp to allow me to plug in iDevices and play them too.

As of now the resulting sound is weak, both in volume and depth.

What can I use to play lossless files from computer and other portable devices and listen to music comparable to CD quality.

Help anyone?