iPod/iPhone Audio Quality

Ablang-

If you have only heard a 30GB ipod, you must audition one of the new ones. With each generation the sound has improved. The new 160GB model sounds A LOT better than your 30GB. Still not a replacement for quality digital, but for what it is, it's getting a lot better. A set of the higher end Shure headphones straight into the ipod is not bad at all.

Ejlif, there is a debate now about the sound quality of the new Classic 6th generation Ipod versus the prior 5th generation Video ipod. Although the signal path is apparently more direct, Apple sourced a new DAC some feel inferior to the Wolfson (familar to many audiophiles) that was in the 5th gen. Video ipod. Do you have any direct experience with this as it would seem to dispute your claim of sonic improvement with each new generation, at least where it concerns the most recent upgrade. I don't know myself but would like to purchase my first one for the gym.

My iPod is fifth generation, and while I haven't heard the 6th generation (and don't know whether the DAC change is a step up or down as Jamnesta said), I'd want to give the 6th a good listed with the headphones I planned to use before buying. Maybe you can do this at Apple stores? Bought mine online, so I don't know--or how you could have your music in your format to audition...

I had the same experience Art describes but with the ER4Ps--full resolution resolved things I didn't want to hear, so I hopped on the headphone merry go round only to conclude it was the iPod, not the 'phones. Maybe the resolution thing is why Apple partners with Bose? On the up-side, the iPod did get me into headphone listening for the first time, which I now do often on my K501s at home.

Jamnesta

I did multiple comparisons between the newest (6th generation?) vs my 80GB 5th. The 160GB was noticably better. I only compared on a set of Shure E500 phones direct into the ipods as well as on a Monitor Audio ideck system. I thought the 160GB was better, just plain better in the same way we hear improvments via better digital. The difference between the 4th gen and 6th gen is even more shocking.

In a room full of audiophiles I feel confident in saying all would agree that at least among the ipods I have, that the 6th gen is handily better!