Anything wrong with iPod dock for line out?

[gdg]

I plan on mating a 5g 30 gig iPod to a Hornet. I notice that people use turbo dock and other custom connectors to access the line out on the iPod. Is there a reason why people don't just use the Apple dock?

Gerry

 

[doctorjuggles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdg I plan on mating a 5g 30 gig iPod to a Hornet. I notice that people use turbo dock and other custom connectors to access the line out on the iPod. Is there a reason why people don't just use the Apple dock? Gerry

Because the official dock is too big to carry around with you and would detach all the time if used portably.
Unless you're talking about a completely different dock to what I'm thinking of.

 

[gdg]

Thanx Doc,
That makes sense and answers my question. I guess it's going to have to be a Turbodock 3.
Gerry

 

[kugino]

the turbodock and other similar products are also supposed to have cleaner line outs since there are no charging components and other wiring that might interfere with the audio signals...

 

[utarch00]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorjuggles Because the official dock is too big to carry around with you and would detach all the time if used portably. Unless you're talking about a completely different dock to what I'm thinking of.

What if you are using the dock for a desktop situation? I have been cosidering getting one of thos edocks with remote control capabilities.

 

[Sinwerm]

Awhile back their was a big furor about the Apple dock not giving a "true" line-out only a boosted headphone feed , the way the pins were set-up. I don't remember the outcome of it because I wasn't in the market for one but I would do some research first just to be sure.

 

[Large4mat]

The latest generation Apple universal dock for the 5g Ipod is not a "true" line out. You can use the volume control on the Ipod to adjust the volume with it docked. Trust me on this one.

I use the Turbodock III and it is a true line out on my 5g Ipod.

 

[MASantos]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large4mat The universal dock for the 5g Ipod is not a "true" line out. You can use the volume control on the Ipod to adjust the volume with it docked. Trust me on this one.

I have one of those new docks with infrared receiver for the remote control. I believe it is the universal one you are refering and I can't adjust volume when using the dock!

 

[Large4mat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MASantos I have one of those new docks with infrared receiver for the remote control. I believe it is the universal one you are refering and I can't adjust volume when using the dock!

That may be true with the 4th generation Ipod you own. My wife an I both have 5th generation 30Gb Ipod videos..........and the volume can be adjusted on both of them while in the dock.

 

[ken36]

ETY4p's straight out of the ipod are just fine.

 

[kwkarth]

If you're after maximum audio quality, I would recommend you consider one of the Audiolineout.com products. The Cotton and Silk docks are the best I've heard. The new Cryo dock is very close and far sturdier, so it's perfect for on the go portable use.

Audio quality from the iPod desktop universal dock (mod. A1153) sux by comparison.

 

[gdg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Large4mat The universal dock for the 5g Ipod is not a "true" line out. You can use the volume control on the Ipod to adjust the volume with it docked. Trust me on this one.

Then why do people bother with a dock at all when using an portable amp. Why not just use the headphone out? This makes no sense at all.
Gerry

 

[doctorjuggles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdg Then why do people bother with a dock at all when using an portable amp. Why not just use the headphone out? This makes no sense at all. Gerry

Using the headphone out means that the sound is coloured by the sonic characteristics of the iPod's headphone out. The line-out feed means that the signal is as untouched and unaltered as possible, and then the amp merely amplifies the clean signal.
If you hook the amp up to the headphone out, you're getting double amplification, which is generally a bad thing.

 

[ComfyCan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdg Then why do people bother with a dock at all when using an portable amp. Why not just use the headphone out? This makes no sense at all. Gerry

I think there is confusion because the term "dock" is sometimes used to describe 2 entirely different things.

Most "docks" or "docking stations" you see, e.g., at chain stores that are designed for use with an i-pod are not intended for use with an external headphone amplifier. They are for charging, synching with I-Tunes on your PC, or playing your tunes through speakers.

The term "dock" is also used by some (e.g., Turbodock) to describe a device that is designed to give you a level, analogue line-out to bypass the headphone out circuitry on the Ipod for use with an external amplifier. Some such devices also perform other functions (such as allowing simultaneous charging), but these functions are secondary.

This is a generalization; there are probably devices that are mass-marketed for use with the IPod that will give you a true line out for use with an external amp.

 

[gdg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctorjuggles Using the headphone out means that the sound is coloured by the sonic characteristics of the iPod's headphone out. The line-out feed means that the signal is as untouched and unaltered as possible, and then the amp merely amplifies the clean signal. If you hook the amp up to the headphone out, you're getting double amplification, which is generally a bad thing.

I realize this doc,
The guy above was claiming that the volume control works on the line out which would mean that it is not a true line out. He's wrong. If he is able to control the volume when using the dock line out there must be another ciruit being empoyed by the dock he's using.
Gerry