Top iPod - iTunes flop

I've been about a month the proud owner of an iPod classic (160GB). It's my first player of its kind. So far I was still as compact disc-jockey go. The device won me over immediately. A completely successful combination of technology, ergonomics, design and good workmanship. My compliments to the developers. The operation is after a short thanks to the click wheel clear and simple. The sound is great, regardless of whether the part at home depends on my good stereo system or is made to sound in the car on a low-budget FM transmitter. I have refrained from the sound via the built-in equalizer to
change. It's really not necessary. Whether rock, pop, jazz, choir, orchestra, solo singing or whatever - the unit actually sounds always good. About 50 CDs I have now stored on the iPod already; the free disk space has become slightly less (currently 148 GB). Since I'm primarily interested in audio and less on video material, the device is memory moderately almost oversized. But better that way than too little space. Who wants to hear the iPod with earphones The supplied earphones can not reproduce the sound that produces the iPod by far.
However: Really annoyed me the iTunes software which is free to manage the Apple iPod is available (via download). It may have been due to my inability to use the software, but there were constant problems with the synchronization of data between PC and iPod. Entire albums that I had recorded in the iPod, disappeared, either completely or partially. I have no idea why. That gave me little joy. Fortunately, there are alternatives. Ripping CDs I now use the freeware Audiograbber which simultaneously (with the penguins) connects with the free CD database freedb.org and from there the information data for the CD reads (title, artist etc.). To add to the playlist and to load to your iPod (or delete) I use the also free software CopyTrans Manager. Anyone who wants to can find here a little bit more comfortable for a couple of euros - but need not be; it's also free. With this constellation, I'm pretty happy, but prefer for my frustration with iTunes a star in the review.