couple questions, all pretty simple.

[lustaficko]

I hear alot of talk about DAC. I know that this is what allows all the 1s and 0s to be herd as music... but can you actually upgrade this on your MP3 player? or is that what rockbox/iMod does... along the lines of rockbox and imod, do these take the place of a portable amp? Would it sound better to have an iModded unamped iPod, or a amped unmodded iPod? Or maybe a rockbox'd amped iPod..

I also hear alot of talk about source. Now... is that the MP3 player its self or the audio files and their bitrate? I'm pretty sure that most of my files are AAC 128kbs. I don't have any of the CDs, but is there a way that I can still convert them to lossless format with 320 bitrate? Thanks for the help.

 

[Assorted]

- You can't really upgrade a DAC on a player; if its possible, it would be highly unconventional
- rockbox is a firmware, its like installing a new OS and it doesn't affect hardware in anyway
- iMod doesn't work without an amplifier

Finally, you can't convert lossy files to lossless. It's possible, but it wouldn't increase quality in any way.

 

[lustaficko]

Alright, well that answered what i can't do to make my ipod sound better, any tips on what I can do?

 

[Assorted]

It seems like you're stuck with your file formats, so you can leave it at that.

Money is best spend on better headphones. If you're comfortable with whatever headphone you already have, the next stage is an amplifier/line-out dock.

If you really want to keep your iPod and still have money, iModding it is a good choice, provided that you already bought an amplifier.

 

[lustaficko]

So there really isn't any way to get 320kbs files? that's disappointing. My iPod is getting rather old so i wouldn't mind getting an upgrade. I was thinking.. wouldn't 128kbs files sound terrible with all lots of high end equipment?

 

[Assorted]

Not many places offer 320 kbps MP3 downloads. Since you didn't obtain music from CDs, you're really stuck with 128 kbps AAC.
You need a 4/5/5.5G iPod to have it iModded.
128 kbps AAC wouldn't sound terrible especially if you've been listening to 128 kbps music this whole time, since you've probably gotten used to all the artifacts in your music.

 

[lustaficko]

hmm. I see. Well that is unfortunate. I might have to go out and get my some of my favorite CDs. I have some nice IEM's coming in, then maybe a tomahawk in the near future. As i said, my iPod is quite old and I'm planning on getting one of the new ipods when they get released. That should keep me set for a while I would hope.

 

[lustaficko]

and to add to the list of my growing list of nooby questions... the difference between line out and optical out please? thanks.

 

[kikkomang]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lustaficko /img/forum/go_quote.gif and to add to the list of my growing list of nooby questions... the difference between line out and optical out please? thanks.

i believe optical out is "digital out" and is sent through an external dac. (meaning sound can change when different dacs are used)

don't know the exact definition for line out though.

 

[koike]

the ipod doesnt have a digital out. so if you are using an ipod then just use the line out. if you dont have a player yet and want to try the optical out. get the iriver h140 or h120. WARNING: if you use a optical out you need an external DAC, meaning you have to go the transportable route.