I'll let someone else handle VLC, but fb2k is good because: * Extremely fast startup and snappy interface * Supports a wide variety of formats * Uses existin

I'll let someone else handle VLC, but fb2k is good because: * Extremely fast startup and snappy interface * Supports a wide variety of formats * Uses existing ID3 tags & Vorbis comments and doesn't try creating its own * Mature plugin interface * Reasonably simple Downsides are that you have to be willing to spend a little extra time organizing your music and it's weak with playlists and device synchronization.