Got iPod, how to hook up?

Your description sounds like a mismatch between the player and your preamp.

You did not say how you had this hooked up, I'm assuming you have a cable that came with the Apple that will plug into the preamp of your stereo.

You're system is not listed so I can't tell what your standard of comparison is, but the D/A conversion stage of the iPod by audiophile standards is only adequate. The iPod is a great product, but it's really not intended to serve as a high quality source component to an audiophile oriented system. I know of no product that will allow you to bypass the built in D/A.

BTW, the best sound is obtained by turning off the EQ and setting the iPod volume as high as possible.

Onhwy61 - the iRiver units have optical digital outputs. (iHP-120 and iHP-140) These would allow a user to connect the devices to a DAC.

See link below:
iRiver iHP-120

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