It sounds fine to me...
I had 2 Creative Zen Xtras before I got my iPod, and I can't discern any real difference between them. The only thing I would say is that the equalisers are a little weak on the iPod, but that's not really a huge thing.
( Malchick, Mon 15 Aug 2005, 23:38, archived)

You want the Rio Karma
Comes as standard with a pair of sennheiser MX300's

Sound quality is the dogs danglies
( newg rum n coke, Mon 15 Aug 2005, 23:39, archived)

But the thing is
I don't really care.
( Malchick, Mon 15 Aug 2005, 23:44, archived)