[estreeter]

Hi Ken,
 
    Apologies for double-posting - I already have a  thread on this in Portable Sources - but I was hoping you could give us some feedback on where we go from here. My understanding is that, even with the adapter, users will no longer be able to access the analog line-out capability per previous iDevices. Any feedback most welcome.
 
Thanks,
 
estreeter
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/626860/iphone-5-has-totally-new-dock-connector-adapters-reportedly-available

 

[KB]

Estreeter,
 
It does not appear that Apple will provide a analog line out solution in it future platforms. It seems to me that Apple is not a significant player in the true hard core hi-fi portable arena any more, they simply appear to not care about the common head-fier frankly. I base this on these 3 facts.
 

• Apple discontinues its large capacity iPod classic in favor of 16, 32 and 64gig players. Lets face it 64gigs of files is going to get old real fast. 
• Apple appears to eliminates the access to the analog line out, snubbing hi-fi headphone aficionados for a easy solution for use with a external amplifier.
• Apple goes with a iTouch as its core player but focuses it is as a video gaming toy rather than a serious audio player.

 
I would have to agree with the Cnet post from Molly Wood
 
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31322_3-57511687-256/apples-dock-connector-change-is-awful-dont-kid-yourselves/
 
This reminds me of when the Zune came out. I asked Pete Millet to help me decipher the line out signal of the Zune with hopes in making a LOD cable for the Zune. Pete was brilliant in figuring it out, and we concluded that the analog line out was software locked and was not accessible, which I thought would mean the end of the player eventually.  Its a bummer that the Zune player and the new ipods are apparently having similar paths with regards to the functionality of the dock.  I am very sad personally, I started my business making 30 pin cables for hard core head-fiers so to see it go away is tough. Apple's easy access of the analog line out was good for innovators, new accessory products, creation of small businesses and made the iPod stronger. 
 
We will try and make a analog cable for the ipod regardless. And the real good news is Cypher Labs has a ready made working solution that is superior to the LOD cable, the Solo (CLAS) will be keep on rocking with the new iDevices. I would keep an eye on Cypher Labs !! wink wink.
 
We at ALO audio love portable Hi-fi, I cant help but see this as a sad moment really. But as Caleb said today in the shop "As one door closes, another opens" we are working to move portable Hi-Fi forward. I see this as a golden opportunity for a new ALO product
 
Ken

 

[estreeter]

Thanks for the prompt feedback, Ken.

 

[justin w.]

Apple does still have the 160GB iPod Classic, at least for now.  Haven't heard anything about it being discontinued, though we know that is coming sooner or later.

 

[estreeter]

The Classic doesn't seem to change much beyond Apple chopping and changing storage capacity. I guess the question is whether they will continue to produce it - have no idea what sales figures are like for each model. 

 

[KB]

Guys, when the Classics stock is gone so is the classic. 
 
Ken

 

[DanBa]

Quote:

We at ALO audio love portable Hi-fi, I cant help but see this as a sad moment really. But as Caleb said today in the shop "As one door closes, another opens" we are working to move portable Hi-Fi forward. I see this as a golden opportunity for a new ALO product
 
Ken

 
Thanks!

 

[arrowmark]

Thanks for the informative update !

 

[alcyst]

Quote:

The Classic doesn't seem to change much beyond Apple chopping and changing storage capacity. I guess the question is whether they will continue to produce it - have no idea what sales figures are like for each model. 

Saw some figures from an analyst a while ago, all ipod sales have fallen to nominal levels for Apple as a whole, they may still be profitable, but low importance.
 
On capacity, don't think they have changed in yonks? I know I've seen hacks about getting much bigger drives in (so technically not a big deal), but Apple havn't revisited the product in years.

 

[estreeter]

Yep - last 'change' was three years ago when they dropped the 120GB model. There was a strong rumor 12 months back that Apple would drop the Classic and the Shuffle - realistically, I think it has long been a question of when rather than 'if''. Apple have a single smartphone which makes more money than its entire computer division - billions of dollars of export business for the US economy each year. Its difficult to say whether another company would have persisted this long with a niche product, and a decidedly 'un-sexy' one at that - hats off to Apple for keeping it on the shelves for so many years. 
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Classic

 

[Achmedisdead]

Quote:

Guys, when the Classics stock is gone so is the classic. 
 
Ken

 
Source for that statement?

 

[KB]

No I have nothing "in writing" , it does not made sense for Apple to keep making them. I hope I am wrong.
 
We will see. 
 
On another note the 30pin adapter for the lightning apparently will output a analog signal so that is good news.
 
Cant wait to hear how that will sound!
 
Ken