check the files really are CBR,

Well, emplode says "16kbits/s mono"

MP3TagStudio refuses to "correct" the VBR headers -- claims the files are CBR.

WinAmp plays the file as 16kbps, 11KHz, says it is mono and has no problems skipping back and forth through the file, maintaining proper time counters.

I just have to believe that the codec in the empeg player just doesn't like very low bitrate CBR monaural files... I can live with it.

tanstaafl.