Looking for DAC to improve sound quality from iPod


I am using and adcom amp GFA 5400 and adcom preamp GTP 450 speakers Paradigm studio 60. iPod is connected with apple doc with analog out. I am also using adcom CD player GCD-600. Had adcom gear for long time all is in good working condition.I get Pandora Internet music from my DVD player. Would like to get DAC to hook up all three components. I have been looking at different DAC on line not sure how the iPod connects to them without using some kind of dedicated docking system like the Cambridge iD 100 or Arcam rSeries drDock or Peachtree iDac. I am new to all this and trying to upgrade without changing what I have. I feel a decent DAC would help.
bertp57
The pure i20 doc has a dac built into it that is much better than the one in your ipod. It also allows for you to use the digital output of your ipod for an external dac. This little gem costs about $100.00 and I can't here a difference from it and my Wadia doc which costs a lot more. As Elevick stated you must copy your music to your ipod in one the lossless files to get good sound.
The HRT iStreamer is another inexpensive option that sounds quite good for the price.
I know that you can not download in lossless from iTunes. Can you tell me of some sites to purchase music lossless. Or is there a way to convert my iTunes downloads
You cannot convert from a lossy format to a lossless format. There are two ways to get lossless. The first is to rip your own cds into a lossless format. The second is to purchase and download them from an online service, like HDTracks.com
I second the Pure i20 dock. Best value in audio IMO. I don't sell them, but I have one.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio