Quote: After A and B-ing my 4S with my friend's new iPhone 5 I also feel that it is a downgrade in comparison. Using my IE-80's with the 5, I hear a more 2-dimensional sound stage, more boomy bass, and a noticeable roll-off of the high frequencies. Voices just don't sound as crisp and...

First rmaa of iphone 5 is out, looks like the dac is indeed worst this time and the treble roll-off is confirmed. http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_iphone_5-review-822p6.php  

A lot of people prefer the smoother and warmer sound of the wolfson's used in the older ipod's (5.5 and below). I myself find my old nano to have better soundstage depth and is less fatiguing on my ears.  

Info has been updated: Apple 338S1117 audio CODEC vs. Apple 338S0987 B0FL1129 SGP in the 4s. Looking like another Cirrus Logic chip again....  

Heres the ifixit teardown, http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone-5-Teardown/10525/2. No word on what the dac is though.

It was SMICORP that still had the older stock. MP4Nation should have the latest batch if the email they sent me is to be believed.  

Just got this the other day and unfortunately got an old batch model with the loose and noisy headphone jack. Planning on returning this one and ordering from another retailer. Does anyone know which amazon retailer is guaranteed to have the latest batch with the gold headphone out? Thanks.