Ipod and quality sound

The only way to get anything approaching quality on the ipod is to use wav and one of the newer units like the Wadia iTransport 170 to extract the digital stream and send it to an outboard dac. Even then, the best case scenario is a decent background music set up.

Portable for audiophiles doesn't exist......so sad.
If it was necessary to raise the price of such a product,
lets say 25% to 50% of the original retail price and produce only a limited edition (to accompany the standart line) it would still make $$$$$$$ in profit.
One problem.....it takes brave and dedicated innovator to do it...............do you know anyone LIKE THAT.

The new $349 Wadia iTransport 170 is your friend.

davimack,

you left out many pieces of information:

a. What compression/encoder did you use when importing your CD into iTunes?

Within iTunes, go to: Preferences > Advanced > Importing > Import using:

AAC: the original Apple proprietary compression....256kbps works well when just using earphones. obviously there is less than the original data.

***AIFF: bit-for-bit copy of CD files (this is no compression < answer to your posted question) FWIW: this is what I use on my music server Apple G5 ****

Apple Lossless: the newest apple compression (about 70% or AIFF file size). Very good quality if you don't plan on using the files on non-apple systems.

I don't have experience with MP3 or WAV.(I understand this is a lesser quality compression encoder)

b. how is your iPod connected to your system?

- you should not be using the headphone jack. you need line level from a dock.

c. what earphones are you using?

- just curious

Compression, software - have that.
Missing - quality hardware (iPod).

Wadia looks promising - maybe a mod candidate.
But iPod on to Go still sucks.