1. An audio playback system, comprising: a user interface that enables a user of said audio playback system to specify a particular playback rate that is faster or slower than a normal playback rate; a memory for storage of at least one rate adjustment parameter, the at least one rate adjustment parameter being dependent on the particular playback rate; a processing device operatively connected to said user interface and said memory, said processing device being operable to: receive an input audio stream associated with a normal playback rate, determine the at least one rate adjustment parameter based on the particular playback rate provided via said user interface, store the at least one rate adjustment parameter to said memory, modify the input audio stream in accordance with the at least one rate adjustment parameter to produce an output audio stream associated with the particular playback rate; and an audio output device for facilitating audiblization of the output audio stream.