nothing wrong with mp3 player and Altecs, but think of it as meals

mp3 player + altec = mcDonalds
hifi system = fine dinner

mcDonalds - not particularly great or nutritious but fine for filling your stomach on the run; a fine dinner lets you experience the taste of the food, with all the nuances and spices that go into the cooking.

The great thing about the hi-fi system is that its a one time investment. The downside is that unlike a mp3 player, you can't take it with you, and upgraditis is a terminal disease.

When I see McD Value Meal, I think of Hi-Fi package at bargain price.