How do I get the most of out my mp3s/cds?

[FearoftheNight]

I'm using winamp as the player.
Digital Coaxial Output using the Soundstorm on my asus a7n8x-e dlx to my philips mx860 ht speaker system. Set on 5.1 digital mode on drivers and on the receiver.

How do I make my mp3s/cds sound as good as possible? Is there any software I should be using or anything?

 

[whitelight]

for good quality mp3's, i rip them at a variable bitrate from 128k to 320kbps.

 

[CSMR]

Cds and mp3s are stereo (I don't know if there are exceptions). So use stereo mode on both.

 

[FearoftheNight]

so theres no plugin or anything? would u recommend mad plugin?

 

[Cerb]

MAD, or MPG123. Even then, encoding makes a bigger difference.

 

[FearoftheNight]

so MAD is def worth getting? I hear some say its only good on low quality speakers...

 

[Cerb]

AFAIK, MAD and MPG123 can't be told apart, and in a good way. IIRC, MPG123 has Replay Gain support, as well.
And no, compensating for lousy speakers/headphones are what the equalizer is for.