Hmmm, this is a curious one. Via MusicThing, we´ve learned of a new device known as the Clari-fi - a little box from Intunition that sits between your music player and headphones and promises to “improve the sound quality” of your MP3 and other compressed audio files.
There´s an overview of the technology used in Clari-fi on the Intunition website. Apparently, it´s capable of removing the digital artefacts that can compromise the sound quality of MP3s, and in doing this, it promises to clean up the audio and deliver a better listening experience.
Of course, the reason compressed audio files sound worse than lossless ones is that some of the original frequency content is removed, and there´s surely no way of putting this back. Intuition, though, seems to think that it´s found some kind of technological workaround that lessens the audible impact of the compression process.
Two versions of the Clari-fi are available - one designed for music listening and the other for podcasts - and both are available now for the introductory price of $49.95 (each). Intunition is currently offering a risk-free trial, too - if you´re not happy you can return the device within 30 days.