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Replacing Nano with iPod for Best Sound

Despite the sleek, sexy design, I have decided I don't like my iPod Nano. It sounds terrible, has a wimpy amplifier, runs out of power quickly and clips offensively as the battery declines.

Perhaps I am out of date or a little old fashioned, but on reflection, I don't care if my iPod is smaller than a wristwatch, how it interfaces with tube amps and electrostatics, or whether or not I can store 50 million songs, TV shows or phone numbers.

I am not interested in sending it off to be modified for hundreds of dollars or connecting it to geeky, tweaky AC powered components on my desktop.

I don't want to "dock" it anywhere, use it in my car, take it to friends parties or fit it into the sleekest, slimmest of shirt pockets.

No, I simply want to use my iPod as a reasonably portable device - in particular when commuting and working out in the gym - while sounding as good as possible, and I dont mind if the device or my headphones are a bit clunky.

Therefore, could someone therefore please update me on the best iPod for portable use only:

* Generation V and VI or the newer "Classic" iPod?
* Which iPods can handle uncompressed or lossless best?
* Which lossless format is best for sound and battery life?
* What headphones can be driven directly and sound best?
* While remaining portable, has anyone experimented with a battery powered external amp and/or line out cable?

Thanks for ideas. I look forward to enjoying music again on an iPod.

Regards,
cwlondon
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Buconero,

Of course as an audiophile, I would get more pleasure from spending $800 on the HiFiMan than $50 on a Sansa Clip.

Then again, audiophiles also love it when lesser known devices outperform the leading brand, so thanks for the suggestion.

Why do you say that the electronics are "far superior" to the iPod?

Do you have one? Is it able to drive full size headphones?

Thank you,
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Here's your hifiman on ebay. Only $419.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Timrhu

Thanks but it seems you drew in the competitive bidders.

It traded away for > $600, higher than I would have expected.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
I see that Stereophile has included the latest generation of "Classic" iPods in the latest list for recommended components.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
I've got an iPod Classic. No complaints when using Apple Lossless with my Etymotic ER-6i IEMs. I can definitely hear a difference between compressed formats and lossless. I think that really depends on the quality of headphones.

I have a Ray Samuels Tommahawk portable amp and ALO cable (bypasses iPod's amp) that drive Etymotic ER4s IEMs. I don't use that combo much due to less traveling for work.

Some say the iPod Touch sounds better, but I'm not sure. It has flash memory instead of a traditional hard drive, which should sound better. But the DAC and amp may have changed. What I can tell you is that my iPhone 3GS doesn't sound as good as my Classic. Maybe due to having a phone in it. Its not a night and day difference, but its not as good.

I think the Classic has/had the Wolfson DAC. My Nano did. It had flash memory too, and sounded pretty identical to my Classic. Not sure of generations of anything except the iPhone. I got the Classic when it first got called that, and the Nano was the one before the bigger screen and video capabilities.
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