iPod to a Benchmark Media DAC-1 D/A

It may depend on what model iPod you have. Vinnie at Red Wine Audio modifies 4G iPods bypassing the volume control etc. He might be able to modify yours with a digital output.

The only company I'm aware of that does claim to accomplish that is MSB Technology. The cost? A cool $2k...may as well get a laptop and a USB DAC for that price. Perhaps the price will come down with time.

Marco

The only way to do it correctly is the bottom port connector and not the headphone jack..

Get the Benchmark Dac with USB and bypass the IPOD all together or get a Squeezebox and output to the Benchmark digitally.

The only way to do it correctly is the bottom port connector and not the headphone jack..

The bottom port connector will only bypass the ipods crappy op-amp for the headphones. It will not, however, provide a digital output (which is what the original question asked). It is, effectively, a line output (it's still utilizing the iPod's less than desirable DAC). It will definitely be an improvement over going out the headphone jack, but it is not a way to feed a digital signal to your DAC unless you enjoy silence (which some folks may actually prefer over the music an iPod provides).

I'd agree, with the next statement; why bother with the iPod? Use a laptop or a MacMini to a USB DAC. Hey, I already said that.

Marco

FYI - at last check Vinnie cannot do that...