Yeah, Rockbox does have bugs, but it is definitely better than Itunes. I for one side with you hk.com, but I'm somewhat of a fanatic when it comes to my music collection. IMO VBR encoded MP3 can sound as good as CD, although most MP3s available are encoded at a constant bitrate of 192 kbps, which is extremely wasteful and leads to artifacts. OGG and FLAC are better for those who can really hear the difference, but you're often limited by hardware and the headphones you're using, as well as your age (your ability to hear frequencies at both ends of the continuum drops off with age).
I'm waiting for Rockbox users to crack the Ipod Classic. At present, I use a Creative Zen Xtra. It sounds better than the Ipod, although it isn't as pretty. What I do like about it is no file encryption, it can store data files, the 140 gb capacity (max the firmware allows me to use) and the fact that I can change batteries myself (I have two). I wish someone would write firmware for it that would allow more than 16,000 audio files, but that's not going to happen. The Ipod Classic 160 w/ Rockbox would be amazing, but not for the average consumers (sheep) that comprise the majority of Ipod users. A Linux based OS on an Ipod would definitely be considered excessively complicated by most, but for those of us who have specialized needs (wants?), Itunes is excessively restrictive and the loss of sound quality standard Ipod firmware causes is a major negative.
OK, I'm a little obsessive and I don't have much of a life. :P