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iPod docking station - Belkin vs Wadia vs Arcam

Lazy and looking for an affordable (i.e. cheap) iPod docking station to play music thru my audiophile system. Don't want to have to invest in a DAC. Understand that the Wadia unit requires a DAC. I'm aware of units sold by Arcam ($300) and Belkin ($100). No remote with the Arcam. Anyone have any experience with these units?
rockyboy
noshortcuts
16 posts
 
One last note on the iTransport. It sounds better than my Sony ES CD player. The bass is fuller when comparing the same tracks back to back. Fascinating since the Wadia is playing the digital copy of the CD.
dreadhead
353 posts
 
You don't need a docking station to use your iPod. I use the Cadas iPod Cable, 2 RCA jacks to a mini jack plugged directecly into my tape deck inputs and the sound is just great. Less is more. I mean if you really want to go the cheap route.
dreadhead
353 posts
 
Excuse me,"Cardas"
noshortcuts
16 posts
 
No, you don't need a dock. But, if you want great sound out of an ipod to a good system, the Wadia gives you what the Ipod alone (or the Ipod with other docks)can't.
metralla
945 posts
 
Dreadhead,

Do you have a miniplug into the headphone output and then to RCA plugs? You would do better with a custom cable - iPod male dock to RCA. This bypasses the crappy headphone amp in the iPod. I use one from Ken Ball at Audio Line Out.

Less is certainly more; but it's not that cheap. ;-)

Regards,
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