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6G Nano - First Impressions

post #1 of 54
9/8/10 at 8:17pm
Thread Starter 

It's getting trashed by all the reviewers,

but I had a sneaking suspicion,

that Steve & Co. would deliver a bloody good audio signal train

since they were taking away the video / video cam capability

and maintaining the same price point.

 

It's very early - just a couple hours of listening,

but... FWIW:

 

 

Just plugged the brand new [triscuit-cracker-sized] Nano into my rig:


6G Nano-->ALO 18AWG SXC LOD-->RSA Shadow-->JH16's


Doing A / B testing now - comparing to 5G Nano 

 

(iTunes: Santana - While My Guitar Gently Weeps - with Yo Yo Ma on cello, well performed, excellent engineering)


- the audio signal train is improved (i.e. chipset, including DAC)
- process shrinks [transistor size gets smaller by a factor of !2, each time) deliver better performance


Same EQ as on 5G rig,

- the 6G Nano is noticeably more resolving,

- noticeably fatter bottom end.

Going back to 5G is still excellent, but it's just not as "alive".

6G Nano has GREAT synergy with the JH16's & RSA Shadow.

btw: having tried the stock, TWag, and most recently ALO SXC cables 
on both the 13's and especially on the 16's,
...imho, it's not even close!
ALO SXC cables, and JH16's, were made for each other.

 

 

caution: ymmv

 

- the foregoing only represents initial, and subjective impressions

 

Anybody else?

 

 

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post #2 of 54
9/8/10 at 8:59pm

I've been patiently waiting for someone to do a review of the new nano that focused on sound quality.  I don't care if they bash it as the form factor is perfect for my uses and I really don't want to bother with the shuffle's small capacity...it might seem trivial but I don't like plugging 1-2gb devices in all the time.

 

So, if sound quality has been improved then I will certainly buy one as I have no need for a media device and only want a music device.

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post #3 of 54
9/8/10 at 9:25pm

What about straight out of the headphone out? Thanks for the impressions--much appreciated.

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post #4 of 54
9/8/10 at 11:25pm
Thread Starter 

Glad you mentioned it.

 

Just now, compared Nano 6G headphone-out, directly with amplified line-out through Shadow, 

(wasn't expecting much)

 

wow - surprisingly good headphone out - surprisingly good

- drives the JH16's quite respectably

- collapsed sound stage, scalpel gone from mids/highs, and less visceral bottom end - without the Shadow,

but, still.. a winner - completely usable with JH16's,

whenever you don't want to stuff an amp in your pocket

i.e. jogging, gym, etc.

 

Apple paid attention to the sound!

Thanks, guys.

 

PS: the 5G Nano w/click-wheel is already starting to look & feel, a bit antiquated.

I'm really getting into the touch screen interface, on the 6G Nano - works great.

 

 

 

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post #5 of 54
9/9/10 at 12:07am

It's great news that year after year Apple quietly improves the sound amidst all these Apps, Video and Cam stuff than sometimes seem to overshadow the music/audio which is what brought us all here i guess.
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by SierraHotel01 View Post

Glad you mentioned it.

 

Just now, compared Nano 6G headphone-out, directly with amplified line-out through Shadow, 

(wasn't expecting much)

 

wow - surprisingly good headphone out - surprisingly good

- drives the JH16's quite respectably

- collapsed sound stage, scalpel gone from mids/highs, and less visceral bottom end - without the Shadow,

but, still.. a winner - completely usable with JH16's,

whenever you don't want to stuff an amp in your pocket

i.e. jogging, gym, etc.

 

Apple paid attention to the sound!

Thanks, guys.

 

PS: the 5G Nano w/click-wheel is already starting to look & feel, a bit antiquated.

I'm really getting into the touch screen interface, on the 6G Nano - works great.

 

 

 

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post #6 of 54
9/9/10 at 10:45pm

Thanks for posting your thoughts - one question I had was that it didn't look like there was a hold switch on the 6G.  Is it accessed through the menu, or is it just not necessary with the new version because it's a touch screen? 

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post #7 of 54
9/9/10 at 10:54pm

Aside from the bass is there any improvement in soundstage, instrument seperation and resolution?

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post #8 of 54
9/10/10 at 12:45am

I might pick one up this winter to get a personal eye on it. That, or trade someone who is sick of Apple my S:Flo 2

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post #9 of 54
9/10/10 at 9:00am

The notes so far lead me to believe the 4G Nano can probably hold it's own or actually be superior to the new 6G.  The 5G was noted to be soft and warm compared to the 4G  and now this one is noted to be Fatter in the bottom compared to the 5G and more resolving.

 

To me sounds like we are not making a big leap in sound quality.

 


Anyone still have a 4G around to compare to the 6G for a second opinion?

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post #10 of 54
9/10/10 at 10:36am

Not have the nano 6G for the instance , but compare to the other ipod or nano, 4G is the winner and sound as good as my Imod with the LOD and shadow.

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post #11 of 54
9/10/10 at 11:39am

Without having heard the 6G Nano, I put the 3G Nano as the best sounding Nano yet.  It had the most punch and power of all of them.  I still use it and it has more power than my Ipod Touch. 

 

I too had been curios as to how this new Nano will sound without all the extra gear to bring it to life.  If I end up getting one it's specifically for running, and obviously I wouldn't want to hook a 10 foot trailer up to my backside to lug all the gear around to force this little player into audiophile submission. 

 

Definitely looking forward to hearing a few more opinions as they come in. 

 

How difficult is it to get from the song screen to pause the song or back to the home screen?

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post #12 of 54
9/11/10 at 1:58pm
Thread Starter 

6G:Shadow:16_sml.jpg

 

- 6G Nano,

- velcro'd to an RSA Shadow,

- connected with ALO Low Rider LOD

- feeding ALO SXC cabled JH16's.

 

I'll take the 6G Nano, over the 5G - any day of the week!

- audio signal train is definitely improved with a new chipset.

 

Love the sound.

Love the User Interface.

Love the form factor.

 

Picked up an OCC Copper Low Rider LOD, from Ken at ALO.

A bit warmer, nice fat bottom end,

and 99% of the scalpel-like resolution

provided by ALO's 18AWG SXC LOD.

 

I still maintain...

ALO SXC cables, and JH16's?

They were made for each other!

 

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post #13 of 54
9/11/10 at 3:31pm


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by SierraHotel01 View Post

6G:Shadow:16_sml.jpg

 

- 6G Nano,

- velcro'd to an RSA Shadow,

- connected with ALO Low Rider LOD

- feeding ALO SXC cabled JH16's.

 

I'll take the 6G Nano, over the 5G - any day of the week!

- audio signal train is definitely improved with a new chipset.

 

Love the sound.

Love the User Interface.

Love the form factor.

 

Picked up an OCC Copper Low Rider LOD, from Ken at ALO.

A bit warmer, nice fat bottom end,

and 99% of the scalpel-like resolution

provided by ALO's 18AWG SXC LOD.

 

I still maintain...

ALO SXC cables, and JH16's?

They were made for each other!

 


Love the input.  I'm thinking qjays and the new nano would make the ultimate ultra portable rig.  What do you guys think?

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post #14 of 54
9/11/10 at 7:51pm

That is a friggin' HOTT RIG!!!

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post #15 of 54
9/11/10 at 8:17pm

=Quote:

Originally Posted by SierraHotel01 View Post

- 6G Nano,

- velcro'd to an RSA Shadow,

- connected with ALO Low Rider LOD

- feeding ALO SXC cabled JH16's.

 


Nice. This combination with a more powerful amp could be even better.

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