Best setup to sample mp3's into MPC2500

Hey yall, I'm new to the 2500 and haven't been on an MPC since 2004!

I was wondering what would be the be the most affordable and best setup to transfer mp3 samples to my MPC from my computer? External soundcard?

Also, is there anything that "beefs" up the sound of mp3's? I have Audacity on my computer. I know I can eq them but is there some type of hardware or software that is made for this? I may get a preamp...

I know mp3's aren't as good as vinyl. I started sampling off records in 1990. I just don't have the funds at the moment and plus there are some sick mp3's out there!

Thanks for your help.

Most affordable would be to convert to Wav 16/44 and transfer via usb to the HD or CF card of the MPC. You can also sample directly from an ext audio interface and that is more likely to "beef up" (or thin...) the sound depending on the quality of the conversion.
Play around with some VST plugins and try to get as close as you can to what you want. Cheap tube pres like the Bluetube or ART MP can also add a certain character to your sound but it won't fix a bad source material (and you'll still need an audio interface. I'd rather save the money for a nice TT and records (or trips to find them!) but a good audio interface is also very much worth the money if you wanna go the mp3 route. Go for quality over IOs...(IMO).

I use Freemake audio converter for batch file conversion. It's free (as the name implies), but if I remember correctly, you're gonna have to uninstall a few annoying programs that come with it.

http://www.freemake.com/free_audio_converter/

I think if you are going to buy a preamp to "beef up" mp3s, you're kind of going the wrong way about it... it's a bit like trying to polish a turd.

Why not spend that money on a turntable and records? Or you could try and get those songs on CD, that's still a lot better than mp3s.

If you are looking for the easiest way to get the mp3s on your mpc. Use Audacity as a batch converter and convert those mp3s to 16 bit wav files, then copy them to your mpc via USB.

I just bouht a 5$ Y cord (1/8 in. To two 1/4in) from radioshack and and download or stream whatever song on my computer or phone or ipad to the MPC2500

I personally use spotify on an iPad with an apogee quartet hooked to the 1/4" ins of the MPC. The stock output jack of any smartphone or tablet kinda suck. If you can use a high quality Convertor, you will achieve better results.

Ipad, Spotify, Apogee quartet or Duet.

Avoid cheap Hosa cables if you can and always try to buy the best cables you can afford.