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Ipod 30-pin-to-USB cable

Here's a query that forums are surprisingly quiet about: what's a good-to-great Ipod USB cable? I'm looking for a 30-pin-to-USB, rather than (e.g.) headphone-to-RCA or firewire-to-USB. For some reason, I'm not seeing a lot of discussions of that sort of cable.

I have a Marantz CD6004 cd player, which has a USB input on its face, so you use the player's DAC. I rip all of my files to lossless formats; listening to music from my Ipod(s) is very convenient (no messing with cds), and the sound quality is great - certainly better than headphone-to-RCA. If I can improve SQ with an aftermarket cable, all the better.

I'd like to spend less than $100, at least to start, but I'd be happy to hear recommendations for more expensive cables. I've been looking at (e.g.) the Audioquest Forest, which is very inexpensive...almost...too inexpensive. Any other suggestions?
bthogan
bthogan OP
38 posts
 
I was actually a little confused at first, because I just don't know anything about the world of DAC inputs, and apparently, firewire and other sockets are common outs to DACs. (I know I sound like a caveman here - firewire-to-USB cables, eh? Your modern devices frighten and confuse me!)

Audioquest does make a bunch of those cables, and that's what I found when I began my search, but then I came across a bunch of AQ ipod cables that have what I'm looking for:

http://tinyurl.com/8gtrbzx

I was confused, because all of the other AQ cables come with the same model names/tiers (Forest, Cinnamon, etc.) Eventually, I was able to narrow my search and figure out what I was, and wasn't, looking for.

I know AQ isn't the only company that makes "high-end" aftermarket ipod cables. Just getting started in my quest for cable.
doggiehowser
672 posts
 
Interesting.

I am using the short ALO one for my Cypher Solo which I thought works quite well
ecruz
402 posts
 
The OP's tinyurl is linked to Audio Adisor, who offer a 30-day return. Why not buy a couple of cables, try them for a few weeks and keep the one that you like the best?
bthogan OP
38 posts
 
@Ecruz: You know what, that's a very good idea. Thanks for the tip!
bthogan OP
38 posts
 
Well, I picked up an AudioQuest Carbon Ipod USB cable...they're supposed to have a burn-in period, but I think I immediately heard a noticeable improvement over stock as soon as I plugged it in - cleaner, tighter, slightly larger soundstage. Of course, I may have just heard $119. We'll see. More later.
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