Newbie needs help (LOD)

Hi, still trying to figure out how this stuff works and I have yet another question..

I have an iPod 2G Nano and am in the market for a new iPod. I do not know if I'll end up messing with an amp or not. If I used an amp i understand how you guys are hooking that stuff up with a LOD.

Here's my question though, if I have an iPod and do not use an amp, but want better SQ than the headphone out can provide, is there some sort of LOD that plugs into the iPods docking port and then has a single hole in it your headphones plug into?? Instead of the kind that plugs into the docking port then has a wire that goes to an amp...

EDIT: after doing an eBay search for "line out" I see some little gizmos like I'm describing but according to their description they do not seem to be for plugging headphones into? I suppose the problem I see is that I would not have volume adjustment since I would not have a control amp in between. Can some one clear this up for me?

Thanks in advance,

Eric

"Without a headamp, you can adjust the volume level for your headphones."

How so? I thought going through the dock connector bypassed the internal volume control? What am I missing?

thanks BTW!

I guess it was your end of post #2 I couldn't make sense of LOL

What I want, is something that plugs into the docking port and has a port the headphones plug directly into for better SQ than the headphone out jack, AND lets me control the volume directly on the iPod because I do not want to buy an amp. Now I realize such a mythical beast does not exist, but I didn't know that when I originally asked the question. Hope this clears everything up. LOL

Thanks for the help!

Eric

But that's an amp right? Which I didn't want...

Hi qusp, why the aversion to an amp? Well, that's a great question and there are several small reasons behind it including:

1. I just dropped $300 on a new 32Gb Touch and for now atleast I think that's plenty to spend on a portable music device (for me anyway).

2. I don't have high end phones right now just KSC75's and I don't think I'll be lacking power for them. Seems funny/stupid to me for me to buy a Xhundred$ amp to power $12 headphones.

3. Also, I have to admit I'm getting anti-amp before I ever consider buying one because I see so many posts saying they are not necessary and so many people unhappy with the ones they've bought. Heck most of the people trade them or sell them so that kinda ruins my optimism. Founded or not.

4. Also I am fat but have a small flat butt. YEP! You read that right! The iPod is so heavy that if I strapped an amp to it and put it in my pocket I'd need 3 belts to keep my pants up! I joke LOL, but seriously for me it's less than ideal. I crave simplicity and like the clean look of the iPod by itself without something strapped to it.

I'm not an audiophile or even trying to be. I just hear so much negative about the headphone out on the ipods I was just wondering if there was a sub $30 part that would route the phones out of the docking port and be able to control the volume.

I change my mind alot. Don't be surprised if I'm back in here asking for amp advice next week. I'm just trying to find my way. I'm not really quite sure what I want to do. I do hate to spend big money on an amp, but also don't want to put the worlds cheapest amp on a $300 iPod either.... i'd like to upgrade my phones before even considering that.

Appreciate all the help guys.

I appreciate you posting the info and for the help!