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What are LODs and DACs..?

post #1 of 7
9/23/09 at 11:15am
Thread Starter 
From what I gather a LOD is a Line Out Direct and DAC a Digital Audio Converter...

I read a lot of threads where people buy an ipod, use it with two external components aside from the headphones and claim it sounds amazing.

What about those who really care for SQ but also portability and don't want to carry anything else but player + phones? I'm certainly one of these. I use a cowon D2+, sony A729 and Sansa clip with Sennheiser CX500s. Can't complain about sound quality. All MP3s either.

From what I gathered, the LO on iPods sounds a lot better (i.e. the signal before it actually gets amplified) and this is what LODs give you when you plug into...So you'd still need an amplifier after?

And then what do DACs do..? Act as a AD/DA converter for DAPs?

I'm a bit lost on this thing. Note I am not criticising anyone, or anything, even less iPods (never had one, don't want one except maybe the 64GB touch which I am millions years away from being able to afford). I'm just wondering what these things are due to my neverending curiosity on technology and I'd like to hear from users directly.

Thanks y'all for helping out a newbie.
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post #2 of 7
9/23/09 at 11:20am
LOD -> Line Out Dock. Basically a cable or unit allowing you to tap signal level from a portable units dock connector.
DAC -> Digital to Analog Converter. Convert the digital audio signal from CD, computer, DAP, .. into an analog signal that transducers can reproduce into sound waves.

When you use a LOD you need an external amplifier, that is correct.
Your portable media player, cd player, computer have a built in DAC. This DAC convert the digital audio signal into an analog one which in the end your ears can sense.
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post #3 of 7
9/23/09 at 11:22am
Thread Starter 
Ah I see. And since most people say the Line Out (dock output) of an iPod sounds better than the headphone out, they connect a LOD to it, then an amplifier to control the volume and finally headphones...?

Are there any small all in one solutions for instance, LOD + mini amp where you just plug into the dock output of an iPod and plug your headphones in directly? it's still making a big player even bigger I guess though.
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post #4 of 7
9/23/09 at 11:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pott View Post
Ah I see. And since most people say the Line Out (dock output) of an iPod sounds better than the headphone out, they connect a LOD to it, then an amplifier to control the volume and finally headphones...?
Correct!

Quote:
Are there any small all in one solutions for instance, LOD + mini amp where you just plug into the dock output of an iPod and plug your headphones in directly? it's still making a big player even bigger I guess though.
For home use I am sure there are several, but not quite sure about portable units.
Someone else have to chime in on this one.
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post #5 of 7
9/23/09 at 11:48am
Thread Starter 
I never listen to my players at home, I have my PC 3.5mm out connected to my mini hifi analog in for this.

I only consider Mp3 players/PMPs to be fully portable units. I can't live without my music: either it's played through my speakers in my room, either through my CX500s when outside/at work/anywhere else I can listen to music.

Looks like all I'd need to do is test out an iPod touch to see if I like the sound someday. Never really heard any.
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post #6 of 7
9/23/09 at 2:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pott View Post
Are there any small all in one solutions for instance, LOD + mini amp where you just plug into the dock output of an iPod and plug your headphones in directly? it's still making a big player even bigger I guess though.

I use a 1st generation iPod nano with a LOD and a FiiO E5 amp. It sounds great, IMO. Much better than the headphone out jack.

As for an all-in-one unit, have a look at the FiiO E1. It's not available yet, but there's a thread on it in the "Portable Headphone Amps" forum. It's a single unit LOD and amp for iPod.
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post #7 of 7
9/23/09 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pott View Post
I never listen to my players at home, I have my PC 3.5mm out connected to my mini hifi analog in for this.

I only consider Mp3 players/PMPs to be fully portable units. I can't live without my music: either it's played through my speakers in my room, either through my CX500s when outside/at work/anywhere else I can listen to music.

Looks like all I'd need to do is test out an iPod touch to see if I like the sound someday. Never really heard any.
There are a lot of players now in market that provide excellent sound quality and don't need amping and very portable. To name a few ... Sony X 1060, Cowon s9, Amp3 ( I only own X so i can only comment on that. Others based on what i have read in these forums)

PC
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