So, update. Listened to the Clip Plus tonight at the gym for the first time. (Before this I was outside taking a walk while I was listening to it.) And I really wasn't thrilled with the sound quality. However I think it's because I used the default bit rate on Windows Media Player when I ripped my cds. So I'm deleting everything and starting over at a higher bit rate. I've tested one cd so far -- Foo Fighters Greatest Hits, specifically Monkey Wrench and All My Life. Much better.

I am also having some trouble with the controls -- I agree they're not too intuitive. No doubt the people at the gym tonight thought I was crazy the way I was talking to the thing: No! That's not what I want! What are you doing?!?

But I'll figure it out eventually...