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Is iPod Digital Output Possible?

I've been scouring through all the ipod accessories and cannot find what I am looking for. Perhaps it does not exist. I was wondering if there is any cable or dock that will allow me to extract a digital output from my iPod video (or any iPod for that matter)? There's plenty of adapters to pull the analog out, but it seems like you always need a computer interface to get digital output. Why? Is it just a matter of software to sort out the library? More to the point; I want to connect my iPod directly to my DAC or even to my Waveterminal (requires the squareish delivery end of a USB cable) to my DAC...is this possible? Has this been discussed previously? If so, where the heck was I? No, don't answer that last part! The authorities may be listening in! Just tell me how to get a digital stream out of my iPod if it's possible.

Marco
jax2
hals_den
77 posts
 
When John Atkinson of Stereophile tested the iPod's DAC he found it tested quite well. Psiberaudio offers passive/active preamp docking stations that raises the iPod signal output to a standard 2V. Psiberaudio's website may give you some ideas and useful information on getting the most out of your iPod. Their site is http://www.psiberaudio.com/iPod_2.htm.
hals_den
77 posts
 
Ooops,
I guess I prematurely jumped into a thread that's a bit out of my league late at night or something. But now that I've actually read most of it, I'm curious about this quest for the ultimate iPod sound if it's for on-the-go listening in the car or out in the world, where a previous Audiogoner already pointed out, there's unavoidable ambient noise issues. In most cars and noisey environments, dynamic compression is a good thing. I don't know if it's possible to compress the dynamic range to spare storage space, but that would make sense in portable music player. I've enjoyed this thread and learned a few things, and I hope I didn't kill it with my previous off track response.
But it will be innovative companies like Psiberaudio that will offer solutions.
kana813
956 posts
 
See:

http://www.msbtech.com/products/iLink.php
jax2 OP
3,031 posts
 
Thanks Kana813! That appears to be the real deal.

From another thread, compliments of Peter_S and Monitor Audio:
The digital/ audio over USB protocol has only just been released to us by Apple in September, which will mean that products in the future may use the digital data stream with local D/A conversion.

I imagine once Apple begins releasing products with that protocol they would be very popular among audiophiles.

As for the MSBtech device; for $2K you can buy a Mac laptop, an 500gig external drive and have money left over for lots of music.

Marco
kana813
956 posts
 
"I imagine once Apple begins releasing products with that protocol they would be very popular among audiophiles."

Marco- I'm afraid their marketing plans will be ruled by the MP3 world and the new iPhone.

PS- I agree the MSBTech devise is way over priced, but
I'm sure some iPod groupies will still buy it.

PPS- I'd love to hear that MSB Power DAC.
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