Is an IPOD hi-fi?

At the recent CES in Las Vegas, I believe that it was MSB who were demonstrating a new product. It was a docking station sort of thing that came with a heavily modded iPod. The iPod was modded so that they were able to get a digital out. By all accounts, it was a very good performer. This reinforces the idea that iPods or similar devices can be high end sources if you can get the digital out and into a good DAC.

As I read this post, I cannot help but feel sad that Ferrari, and the likes, are becoming “a dying breed” of this hobby. It blows my mind to witness an iPod becoming a subject of discussion in an audiophile forum.

Ferrari, hung in there – some of us need you!

Planckscale, this forum is under Misc Audio. Once it gets to Digital or Amps/Preamps section, then be alarmed.

Keep your mind open as well, not only your ears.

Although I dont have an IPOD why cant a music lover enjoy the thumb drive for what it is, then have Audiophile performance at home.....isnt this all about loving music?

Planckscale, I've been travelling on business for the past 10 days. This leaves two options:

1) No music
2) ipod + Sennheiser HD280pro

Since #2 cost me all of $200 for heaphones and refurb ipod and sounds indistinguishable in quality from my panasonic portable CD player what's not to like about option #2?

A hifi forum is the perfect place for a discussion of mobile audio players, different codecs and bit rates, and headphones.