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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Perhaps I am out of date or a little old fashioned, but on reflection, I don't care if my iPod is smaller than a wristwatch, how it interfaces with tube amps and electrostatics, or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
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,888 posts
 
I doubt you'll hear any difference using loss less on any ipod.

There is a reason why these devices are built around .mp3 and compressed formats. ITs because there is no advantage in storing and manipulating huge data files with these devices, even if you have very good ears.

I suspect teh best thing to do to get best sound out af any ipod is to use better sounding buds or move up to larger headphones.

Some ipods may have better amplification capabilites than others, don't know, but I suspect amplification quality will be limited on any highly portable device. Maybe some buds are more efficient than others? That might help.
ballan
184 posts
 
The iPod can sound wonderful "if" you are using uncompressed (AIFF) or lossless (Apple Lossless) files, and use the digital output, which requires a product like the Wadia dock or Naim DAC. There are other products that allow this as well.

Make sure "SOUND CHECK" and "EQ" are turned off. These destroy the sound quality of an iPod.

If you need to use the analog output, get a dock connector that allows a true "line level" output. DO NOT use the headphone jack unless you are using headphones. As for headphones, I like the Etymotic HF2 headset or HF5 headphones. The HF2 just adds a mic and control for the iPhone/iPod Touch. A nice headphone amp will improve the quality if you want to dig deeper.

Tomorrow (September 1, 2010) Apple will introduce new iPods, so I recommend waiting to see what happens. My guess is that the "click wheel" will be going away. ;)
arni
313 posts
 
To help answer your question, the following is a quotation from Red Wine Audio, which does modification on certain iPods:
"What you may not know is that that the 4th and 5th generation iPods use a very high-quality internal Wolfson Microelectronics DAC (Wolfson DACs are used in quite a few high-end home audio CD players)."
And:
"Please Note — The iMod is only offered for the 4th Generation and 5th/5.5 Generation iPods, as they contain the high-quality internal Wolfson dac chip that makes doing the iMod worthwhile.
We DO NOT and WILL NOT modify any of the other iPods, including the new 6th Generation iPod Classic, iPhone, iPod Touch, or any of the Nanos."

So,there appears to be a difference between iPods; unfortunately, these older models may be difficult to obtain. I can tell you based on my own experience that the quality of the file format matters; Ballan's advice is excellent. I have also had good luck with Etymotic plugs, and Grado headphones work well too as these are easy to drive.
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 

Thanks for suggestions so far. Googling this topic suggests that the best iPod is not an iPod at all, but a HiFiMan HM-801....

Mapman, in other threads we have discussed that this is AUDIOgon, where people discuss the differences in magic marker colors applied to the edge of CDs.

When I first experimented with compressed vs lossless audio in an iPod years ago, I thought the difference was clearly audible, even when output through a car stereo.

Has anyone tried the HiFiMan device?
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