Ipod Touch

I *believe* the September 2010 refresh should have installed the same DAC chip across all Touch and iPhone models (anyone), but the 2009 and earlier 8GB model is best avoided. I have the 2009 8GB model and its arguably the worst sounding iDevice I have owned - those with a LOD and portable amp may have other impressions. The 2010 Touch continues to win various magazine awards for non-audio functionality, and the App Store seems to make a lot of folk very happy, but if you are buying it purely for music I would consider another DAP - just too expensive for the storage on offer. 

The ipod touch uses a circus logic dac which is normally considered as a budget DAC, compared to the higher quality wolfson dac found in older ipods and the iphone 3g. The best mp3 player would be the hifiman 801s but they cost a lot, so if you wanted just audio quality you caould look into a hifiman 601 which sells for around 259 but a RE0 is free with the purchase(which is very sweet considering the fact that RE0s used to retail at around 250).
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chumbawumba 

What would be the best mp3 to buy for audio quality?

Actually, the cirrus logic chip in the newer iPods is considered an improvement (RE: upgrade), not a downgrade from the wolfson chips in older models. The only gripe most have is that cirrus logic chips aren't Rockbox'able. Rockbox would make any iPod PERFECT!!! That is, unless they actually implemented a real user-customizable EQ, then all bets are off.

PS: Get a Sansa clip+, Rockbox it and give the thing some playtime. Then try an iPod, ANY iPod,... You'll never be able to listen to a stock iPod again. Well, that's what happened to me, YMMV.

iPod 5.5G + Rockbox = KICKAZZ!!! (Even if it does use the wolfson chip)

I still think the Hifiman offers the best sound quality. And with the DAC chips, most people find that Burr Brown and Wolfson DACs have warmer sounds and are used in more higher end CD players. The cirrus logic dac just sound a bit more dry and sparkly to me. 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nywytboy68 

Actually, the cirrus logic chip in the newer iPods is considered an improvement (RE: upgrade), not a downgrade from the wolfson chips in older models. The only gripe most have is that cirrus logic chips aren't Rockbox'able. Rockbox would make any iPod PERFECT!!! That is, unless they actually implemented a real user-customizable EQ, then all bets are off.

 

PS: Get a Sansa clip+, Rockbox it and give the thing some playtime. Then try an iPod, ANY iPod,... You'll never be able to listen to a stock iPod again. Well, that's what happened to me, YMMV.

 

iPod 5.5G + Rockbox = KICKAZZ!!! (Even if it does use the wolfson chip)

And Rockbox requires you to mess around with the crossfeed and EQ so it takes a bit of work for it to sound nice. 

Mate, you can now have hifiman soft warmth for 3$. It's called EQu or Equalizer, two very good EQ's. The only thing you won't get is for form factor. I like the Hifiman very much - of its type, it is top of the heap - much better than Gumstick, heaps better than AMP3, but overall, a good customisable EQ on an iPod will take you 95% of the way there if not more. I took a look at EQu at TMA, Equalizer review is forthcoming.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nywytboy68 

Actually, the cirrus logic chip in the newer iPods is considered an improvement (RE: upgrade), not a downgrade from the wolfson chips in older models. The only gripe most have is that cirrus logic chips aren't Rockbox'able. Rockbox would make any iPod PERFECT!!! That is, unless they actually implemented a real user-customizable EQ, then all bets are off.

 

PS: Get a Sansa clip+, Rockbox it and give the thing some playtime. Then try an iPod, ANY iPod,... You'll never be able to listen to a stock iPod again. Well, that's what happened to me, YMMV.

 

iPod 5.5G + Rockbox = KICKAZZ!!! (Even if it does use the wolfson chip)

@yifu: Too bad the hifiman is overpriced, outdated, recycled crap. $50.00 worth of parts (probably cost even less), $25.00 worth of labor (in China, that would be top $$$ I guess), all for hundreds of dollars more than it's worth - enjoy!!!

Well i guess most things in the world are overpriced. The sansa clip might cost just 1 dollar to make..
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by nywytboy68 

@yifu: Too bad the hifiman is overpriced, outdated, recycled crap. $50.00 worth of parts (probably cost even less), $25.00 worth of labor (in China, that would be top $$$ I guess), all for hundreds of dollars more than it's worth - enjoy!!!

That's great for us to discuss,...too bad the original topic was on the iPod lineup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yifu 

Well i guess most things in the world are overpriced. The sansa clip might cost just 1 dollar to make..