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is it me or do laptops sounds better than ipods?

post #1 of 33
2/10/10 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 
I listen to my headphones (ADDIEM, Creative Aurvana Live, Sony MDR-NC60) out of either my ipod touch or my MacBook pro. Just now I was looking up Judas Priest live videos (pretty disappointing tbh), then listening to painkiller on both devices, and I think the laptop sounds better. Anyone else notice this?

BTW, I am comparing same audio files on each (not just low quality live videos).
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post #2 of 33
2/11/10 at 4:09am
To be honest I don't think it would be all that hard to beat the SQ of an ipod.
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post #3 of 33
2/11/10 at 4:17am
That's because a laptop has a lot more power applied to the amp circuit. It has a bigger, more capable battery that can drive the amp.

An iPod is engineered for maximum battery life, so it skimps on power output.

The sound quality of an iPod is pretty good, but people confuse that with amplifier power.
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post #4 of 33
2/11/10 at 5:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Uncle Erik View Post
That's because a laptop has a lot more power applied to the amp circuit. It has a bigger, more capable battery that can drive the amp.

An iPod is engineered for maximum battery life, so it skimps on power output.

The sound quality of an iPod is pretty good, but people confuse that with amplifier power.
Okay, I thought it would have something to do with the iPod giving less power to headphones.

Are you saying that the iPod actually has equal (or close to equal) quality, and the difference is just due to less power? Or is there actual fidelity difference?
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post #5 of 33
2/11/10 at 10:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by oregon View Post
Okay, I thought it would have something to do with the iPod giving less power to headphones.

Are you saying that the iPod actually has equal (or close to equal) quality, and the difference is just due to less power? Or is there actual fidelity difference?
Line out to a quality amp will astound you.
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post #6 of 33
2/11/10 at 10:21am
Is it just me or does anything sound better than an ipod?

But yeah, I agree -

Laptop > DAC > Amp > Phones

Will eat

DAP > Phones

for breakfast any day of the week.
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post #7 of 33
2/11/10 at 10:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by anadin View Post
To be honest I don't think it would be all that hard to beat the SQ of an ipod.
Ohh thats funny mate, serious ROFL
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post #8 of 33
2/11/10 at 10:45am
My Thinkpad has a pretty good headphone out.
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post #9 of 33
2/11/10 at 2:15pm
My Gateway, on the other hand, has an atrocious headphone out. Depends on what laptop and what headphone out circuit it has, really.
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post #10 of 33
2/11/10 at 2:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by azncookiecutter View Post
My Gateway, on the other hand, has an atrocious headphone out. Depends on what laptop and what headphone out circuit it has, really.
Pretty much.
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post #11 of 33
2/11/10 at 6:40pm
Not just you!
Just compare the physical size of a laptop vs. an iPod, then imagine that less compromises have been needed to squeeze a "decent" amplifier into it.
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post #12 of 33
2/11/10 at 6:45pm
I would never listen to either an iPod or a laptop from their own built-in headphone amps. Line-out (or usb out) to a real headphone amp is the only way to go.
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post #13 of 33
2/11/10 at 6:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyberspyder View Post
My Thinkpad has a pretty good headphone out.
I've noticed this as well. It's pretty impressive.
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post #14 of 33
2/11/10 at 7:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
I would never listen to either an iPod or a laptop from their own built-in headphone amps. Line-out (or usb out) to a real headphone amp is the only way to go.
Now having a new laptop, I've a few questions on this. What is a good value in USB->mini type cable, and does such a beast exist? If not, how do you get the audio out? Do you use iTunes as the player or is there software considerations for true line-out signal. I do have a nice iBasso amp to power the IEMs at that point.
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post #15 of 33
2/11/10 at 7:23pm
how do netbooks compare to ipods sound wise?
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