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Help a new guy get started please. Line out and amp for Clip Zip

post #1 of 6
12/31/11 at 3:54pm
Thread Starter 

 

So I'm new to this. Might as well get that out of the way. I'm in need of someone to set me straight on exactly what I need to accomplish my goals here.

 

I have LOADS of music that I recently ripped to VO using EAC and LAME for my Windows Phone (won't support FLAC). And after getting some Image S4's as my first taste I.E.M.'s it became quickly apparent that not only was the sound from my phone offensive, but I definitely was not satisfied with the S4's. I bought a Clip Zip and a pair of Shure SE215's which are better, buuuut still don't get me where I want to be in terms of SQ. I am pretty pleased with the Clip but still wanting greater staging and clarity than what the SE215's provide.

 

What do I need to do (is it possible) to get a line out on a Clip Zip? I am looking to get some different I.E.M.'s so I am now needing to know how to get the best sound out of my Clip and what I need to look into portable amp wise. Also, as my Clip can already play FLAC, is there a real reason to jump to Rockbox?

 

Thanks!


Edited by D Rob - 12/31/11 at 3:55pm
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SE215 Clear
post #2 of 6
12/31/11 at 4:36pm

hi - welcome to Head-fi

 

amping a clip zip or any player that does not provide a line out option is typically not recommended, though i think some people still do it.

 

I am not totally technically knowlegable, but i think i can at least get the ball rolling.

 

players that dont have a lineout actually have a "headphone amp" in them already so to speak, which is what a headphone out is essentially comprised of.

Adding an amp to that can be problematic especially since you dont really know what kind of current, voltage, impedance, and other factors you are putting together and what that outcome will be.    Simply put there is actually a chance, probably a good one, that you will degrade the sound quality rather than improve it when amping a player that does not have a line out. 

 

one of the best features of rockbox is the EQ.  If you know what you are doing you can really improve the sound of headphones (assuming you think they need improving) by adjusting their frequency response.   again, simply put, there is really no down side to rockbox accept a bit of added complexity, but its one of those features that nearly everyone is happy with.

 

oh, and sorry about your wallett ;-)

 

 

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post #3 of 6
12/31/11 at 4:43pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your help. Does anyone know if there is a micro usb to line out that works for these? I see what looks to be something like that in the "pictures of your portable rig" thread. I guess I'm off to go read the Rockbox manual.

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post #4 of 6
12/31/11 at 4:44pm

unless something is different in the "zip" model, there is no way to get a line out from that player.

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post #5 of 6
1/1/12 at 1:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by D Rob View Post

Thanks for your help. Does anyone know if there is a micro usb to line out that works for these? I see what looks to be something like that in the "pictures of your portable rig" thread. I guess I'm off to go read the Rockbox manual.

It won't work that way.

 

People just amp the headphone-out of Clip series because the HO is actually quite good on its own without much distortion on high volume, so it is worth the effort of double amping.
 

 

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post #6 of 6
1/1/12 at 10:26am
Thread Starter 

Thanks. I appreciate all the help.

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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SE215 Clear
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