Apple 80 GB iPod AAC/MP3 Video Player Black (5.5 Generation)

Deki

New Head-Fier
Pros: Everything once rockboxed
Cons: iTunes is required until modded
Amazing, i highly suggest rockboxing this. it is the last rockboxable ipod and also the last one with the wolfson chip which are amazing. i highly recommend this.
Sylverant
Sylverant
I agree, rockbox is amazing firmware. The cue sheet integration is great, and the hardware eq opened up by rockbox works well too. The number of settings to work with are mind boggling.Video quality is nice on the 5.5g but small. Switching between the two firmware is easy.
The potential sound quality of the device is great. I say that because the internal amp is so-so and the output impedance of the device is fairly high. There are other devices that will sound better with in-ear headphones out of their headphone jack.

the wizard of oz

500+ Head-Fier
Pros: With an external DAC dock, and a larger storage memory, a good music server.
Cons: Only iMod/DIYMod take advantage of its internal Wolfson MicroElectronics DAC; un-modded, it is rather mediocre sounding.
The line out isn't that bad, but still leaves a lot to be desired for. My Hi-MD Walkmans sound so much better.
 
All the new iDevice DAC desktop docks, Home Cinema multichannel amps, Hi-Fi stereo amps, tuner amp combos, desktop CD players, car radios, with USB inputs certified for iPod finally make this mediocre sounding DAP a good candidate for a compact music server.
 
For those going the iMod / DIYMod route, there now is the option to go solid state, for improved ruggedness, better battery life & slimmer form factor since compatible with the legacy 30GB backplate. Up to 256GB SSD even!
 
The Toshiba 240GB HDD if primarily used as a small footprint music server at home is a more affordable option.
 
Unfortunately, this generation of iPod is not compatible with the Fostex HP-P1 iDAC+amp combo nor the CypherLabs AlgoRhythm Solo iDAC, so for portable use, only the iMod / DIYMod make it acceptable to the discerning audiophile.
 
I was going to look into the iPod Classic, or wait until the iTouch's capacity increases dramatically, but with the recent release of the iBasso DX100, I might be able to scratch the whole iDevice as transport idea, since said DX100 might be the ideal DAP I've been looking for these last years.

Sweet Maple

New Head-Fier
very happy with purchase

ediverudt

New Head-Fier
Pros: Cost, Parts,compatibility, good DAC
Cons: Storage is on Hard disk VS SSD of Flash
My best Friend gave this to me as a gift.
I have been thoroughly Happy with this I pod in Fact it is the most user upgradable I pod made. First Rock box to take control of your music again, then a larger hard drive perhaps the 250 G one, or a huge CF card using the adapters you can get for about 10 bucks. after that all yo need do is get a plug converter for the bottom and you can use the better quality connection or have it rewired. This is the poor mans hifi-man, with a better user interface and you can play doom on it if you want. I have to say that this is the best media player for Flac under 200 dollars.     

Lucias_D

New Head-Fier
Pros: Highly modifiable, good battery life, storage space
Cons: medoicre sound quality stock, iTunes, price point slightly high, iTunes interface?
I purchased the 5.5gen black 80GB a few years back in the late spring of 2007. This has been one of the best electronic investments to date. My purchase was based on two key, determining factors.
 
1.) Storage Capacity: This thing had 80GB of storage, this was the biggest capacity of any portable music player available at the time, and still remains high on the list
 
2.) Modifications: This thing has it all. Since the iPod gained so much popularity it's easy to see how prevalent docking stations, line out devices and other peripherals there are for the iPod, but that's just half the goodies.
     a.) Storage capacity: If this is you biggest concern this iPod is for YOU! I need a large amount of storage because 90% of all my music is lossless. If 80GB isn't enough - check this out. A company by the name of Apricorn Inc. makes a hard drive upgrade kit for both the 30GB, and 80GB 5th gen versions, boosting capacity to 120GB and 240GB respectively! (see website for more information)
This is amazing storage capacity for a portable player. I was constantly having delete and replace files on my iPod because it was operating at max capacity, yet it only held a fraction of my music library.
     b.) Audio upgrades: Red Wine Audio makes the iMod for 5th gen iPods. I have not purchase this mod, but have listened to an iPod that was iModded. There was a drastic difference in sonic clarity. IMHO the 5g sounds better than the classic iPod anyways (after 5.5g the Wolfson audio codec chipset changed to a Cirrus Logic one). Now there are many other portable music players out there that sound better than the stock iPod, but can't reach the sonic fidelity of the iMod without serious research, and risk.
     c.) Operating System: AS-IS the factory iPod interface really isn't that bad. However,there are those who hate iTunes, or the iPod interface. Three features (or lack there-of) desperately needed for this OS were additional codec support (.flac, .ape, etc..),  viewing of file directory structure, and NO ITUNES INTERFACE/SYNCH. Well, after three years nothing has changed. Enter Rockbox, third party OS that's constantly updated and actively supported. Offers the same files views by tags AND directory structure. Best of all, no crappy databases to be corrupted from a bad iTunes synch (time to reload all of your media back onto your device), and drag and drop convenience! Note that none of the newer 6th gen+ iPod have this support (as of now).
 
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this portable media player. This baby has been used and abused the last 3+ years and still keeps on strong. Coupled with lots of available modifications that can grow with you, this is a clear winner.
hush4hire
hush4hire
Hi, I'm a newbie here, and I have a question that might be sound stupid to you, but i hope you can help me with it.
In your review you mention about the iMod. Recently I was planning to buy the 6th gen iPod but many user said it was sound bad because of its Cirrus DAC chip. Most of them recommend using the previous version of ipod, which is 5.5 gen and before, because of the Wolfson DAC.
If i can use the LOD on the 5.5th gen, which bypass most of the circuit include the crappy internal amp, but not the wolfson dac, why do i still need an iMod to make it sound better?
thanks for your time to do an explanation for me
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