Harken back to the days of yore, a time before Apple released the iPod. Too long ago? I know, I can't fathom it either. But if you concentrate really hard, you may recall that the first portable MP3 player debuted in 1998—the Diamond Rio PMP 300. That's less than 15 years ago. And just three years later, in 2001, a company called Digital Innovations, based in Chicago, Illinois, released the Neuros Digital Audio Computer—a device that revolutionized digital music.

The Neuros Digital Audio Computer, or DAC, is more than just an MP3 playback machine. It plays MP3s in spades, with 20GB, 40GB, and even 60GB hard drives. This was 2001, people, and 60GB of space was unfathomable! One of the most-used features is the Line-in and mic-in 3.5mm jacks, as the unit can record live audio directly to MP3 format, at the bit rate of your choosing. No other unit could perform this feat at the time, and was a major draw for many users.

The DAC also featured a built-in FM radio, which was important for two reasons—a user could record snippets of an unknown song, take it home, and an online database would identify the snippet for you, and it could also broadcast playback on a open FM frequency. Simply turn on any FM radio to an open channel, match it on the Neuros, and hit play. Absolutely brilliant! No need for wires, adapters, or installation—just press play. In the case of the DAC, Digital Innovations truly lived up to its name.