[canaryman16]

Hi,
I would like to know if there is a piece of software (preferably free!) that will clean up mp3 files in itunes, ie remove all the hisses and pops. I have imported some old cd's that were scratched and are therefore poor quality, so can I some how get them to sound decent?
Thanks for the help!

[Rugby]

Certainly not free, you have SoundSoap that does a good job:
SoundSoap
(note they also have a Pro version)
Griffin have Final Vinyl (to be used when you record (various reviews at Versiontracker)that is free:
Final Vinyl

[Snyderwriter]

You may also want ot look into the hardware you're using to rip the CDs. I'm not a CD expert, but my understanding about scratched CDs is that either you're CD drive/player reads them or it doesn't. (A cheap CD player will skip on a scratched that a better player will play just fine.) That said, if it plays without skips or getting stuck, the scratches shouldn't effect the sound quality, as it would with vinyl. Again, I'll emphesize that I could be completely wrong here, but it is digital information, and your CD drive should either be able to read it or not, and be able to play it or not. So, if you're getting crackling, it could be something with the hardware or software you're using to rip. Also, early CDs were often mastered from 3rd or 4th generation tapes in the rush to get everything in the market. The sound quality was poor, and the music industry made a killing remastering those discs a few years later.

[sereluna]

You could try re-importing using the 'use error correction when reading audio CDs' option in iTunes preferences.

[Rugby]

actually my fault (must have been tired when reading the post, did not see that it was CDs), my advice is ofcourse intended mostly for vinyl (but you never know...).