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Line out significance?

post #1 of 10
4/18/06 at 10:07am
Thread Starter 
I currently have a Creative jukebox zen extra 30gb, and a iPod Shuffle 1gb. I've noticed when using my Grado sr-80's the bass isnt as full as when I connect it to my amplifier (reciever) at home, as to when I'm using the portable systems. I've read that amplifiers, such as the PA2V2 add/tighten the bass, aswell as improve other areas in the music, but if i've also understood it correctly it is only when connected to the line out. As far as I know, there is no line out in either of my players, and I prefer not to take my CD player out with me due to the difficulties, bringing Cd's, etc.

How large is the significance of connecting the amplifier to the line out as opposed to connecting it to the headphone out? Will there be any gain in connecting an amp, such as the PA2V2 into the headphone out?

Also, If the gain in sound quality would be worth it (connecting the PA2V2 onto my CD players Line out), I might even be persuaded to bring the CD player with me.

I was thinking weather this was the proper area to post this in, since it crossed between amplification and portable audio.

Thanks,
Ttvetjanu
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post #2 of 10
4/18/06 at 11:12am
Well, for one thing, note that the line out is not always different from the headphone out (as may be the case with the iPod). The line out in the iPod has already been amped in the DAC, and many people report significant improvements both using the line out and the headphone out.

Try it and see.
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post #3 of 10
4/18/06 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 
Just found this, Will this enable line-out sound from the shuffle?

I've somehow understood that the internal amplification in the player "ruins" the sound, and i've certanly noticed this in my CD player, the clarity difference is huge.

EDIT:
sorry, forgot to put the link in
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/ipo...-ipod-shuffle/
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post #4 of 10
4/18/06 at 11:31am
IIRC there is no line out on the shuffle. Thats OK though since the shuffle has the best SQ of a DAP last i heard...
-g
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post #5 of 10
4/18/06 at 12:26pm
Since internal headphone amps usually make the sound more muddy and congested, there is a fairly significant improvement in going through the line-out. Even on a CD player, bass seems less tight and the sound is less precise when using the headphone jack.
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post #6 of 10
4/18/06 at 12:33pm
Thread Starter 
Would the "pre-ruined" sound of the shuffle&creative work with the "garbage in garbage out" idea or would there still be an increase in sound quality?
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post #7 of 10
4/18/06 at 12:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ttvetjanu
Would the "pre-ruined" sound of the shuffle&creative work with the "garbage in garbage out" idea or would there still be an increase in sound quality?
At the least, amping the headphone jack would help increase dynamics (volume swings) with hard to drive headphones.

Amped line out > Amped headphone jack > Unamped headphone jack
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post #8 of 10
4/18/06 at 4:01pm
Thread Starter 
So, would buying an amp tighten the slightly loose bass of the shuffle/creative? Im not quite sure what you mean by dynamics.

Would the improvement justify using 60$ even though you would be unable to use the line-out?

That is my main point.
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post #9 of 10
4/18/06 at 4:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ttvetjanu
So, would buying an amp tighten the slightly loose bass of the shuffle/creative? Im not quite sure what you mean by dynamics.

Would the improvement justify using 60$ even though you would be unable to use the line-out?
1. Yes, it is quite likely the PA2V2 will improve the bass response on your Grado SR80. The high current output of the PA2V2 works well for this purpose.
2. Dynamic refers to the ability to deliver a broad range of volume, from very loud to very soft, without distorting.
3. Yeah, I think it's worth it with the SR80 even without a line-out.
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post #10 of 10
4/18/06 at 4:21pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks, that was the response I was hoping for Guess I need to email Gary now.
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