How's the iPad headphone amp?

I'd imagine a better player exists for pocket-playing. Still, throwback to boomboxes have got to be the domain of the iPad!

I never think the the iPod 5/5.5g is that good. Much prefer the iTouch's sound than any other iPods.

I've not heard the iPad, but Apple won't downgrade their stuff in terms of overall performance - it isn't really possible no matter how much 'audiophile' speculation takes them that direction. They've not yet done that. The iPad should be as good as the current crop of iPods, but what I say is that it will be more unwieldy. Still, I imagine it to be the best sounding tablet and maybe netbook on the market.

Wolfson*

Hmmm, if it's really the Wolfson DAC is really that good, why did RWA say the Classic, which doesn't have the Wolfson, is good enough and there's no need for the mod?

The Wolfson is a good DAC but it doesn't mean every player using it is good too. I only changed my mind about the iPods after trying the iTouch. I'm going to buy a couple of iPads later but if it sounds like the Video, that'd be a downturn for me.

Yeah, Wolfson doesn't immediately mean good. They have some good DAC's, but they have some normal ones too. And, even a great Wolfson DAC doesn't mean good output, it just means a 'good' DAC.

I also changed my mind about the iPod line with the iPod touch 1G, but the 2G was what I settled on because of the lower noise floor and incredible line out performance - best I've seen in any portable to date.

The catch being that netbooks have USB ports and drivers (Windows, I don't know about Linux) for an external DAC/AMP. The iPad is big enough, as are netbooks, that a good portable DAC/amp wouldn't be too big of a burden for the committed.

Well, I hooked my JH13's up to the headphone port on my iPad, sounds pretty good. Also tried it with a Whiplash TWAg micro dock w/ switchcraft + RSA shadow and it sounds great as well. To be expected. Overall, I'd say it's on par with an iPhone. Haven't listened too much yet, too busy playing

edit: I doubt it will replace my iPod classic 160GB and iPhone 3GS as my daily carry music player though, too big for pocket portable listening.

^^ get bigger pockets.

@Ypkons: I'd never compare a USB device with a HPO device: the two are as different as oranges and elephants. I'd never compare a naked computer with a USB DAC - it is silly. I a USB exists, it still needs an external device to wake it into proper performance. My assumption still stands: the iPad is probably the best netbook/tablet for audio performance as a unit.

^^ I wear cargo BDU's daily. My kindle 2 fits GREAT in the leg pocket... the ipad sticks out of the top about 2.5 inches so the top flap won't close. It's precarious. As for larger pockets... I haven't found a pair of pants with larger pockets than these

I haven't tried it in my Scott eVest yet... give me a few...


edit: it fits in both orientations in the large left inside "magazine" pocket in my fleece vest, but I fear that nothing you do can escape the fact that it's a big honking slab of aluminum and glass. I'm going to try my hardest but I think it's just not going to be a pocket device

You have some DAMN big pockets! My trousers barely fit an iPod touch and anything larger feels strange.

LOL!!! You need to get some baggy jeans like us in the USA. Then you can carry a few textbooks w/no probs.

I wear these: TRU-SPEC® Tactical Response Uniform (TRU) Trousers In black and khaki

I'll try the ipad a bit later with some lossless content. don't want to sync my iPhone playlist to it because that'd fill it. Getting back to the topic though:

I listened to about 20 minutes of The Thrillseekers Nightmusic podcast (320k) though the headphone jack and it sounds great. Very smooth, not harsh, no digital noise at all.