Quote:
Originally Posted by xlEnt /img/forum/go_quote.gif
So you were using lossy files w/ the mp3 players and an uncompressed lossless wave on the CD player for comparison?
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(1) The CD optical out to DAC/AMP was THE reference point to see
which iPod sounds closest to the point of reference - Not to see if lossless sounds better than lossy. I'm sure you understand that.
It's easier for one person to claim whether he likes the 5.5G better than the 6G, but without a point of reference it is too subjective (i.e. more subjective than what we did).
(2) Also, I did test the same lossy files (320kbps VBR) on the iRiver, when I said that
the iRiver was better with optical out to DAC than either iPod.
I DID NOT say it matched the CD player (but it was extremely close). I suppose it is my fault that I didn't make it clear that the files on the iRiver DAP are the same lossy files as tested on the iPod.
(3) Now I can't test the headphone out of the iRiver vs the iPod because it wont power up. I was working earlier
I will wait till my used H140 arrives on Monday before I do more testing (my 2 week old spare refurb H120 is still sealed in box and I don't want to open it yet).
(4) One thing this experiment made clear to me is that I WILL BE DOING AN IMOD on my 80gb 5.5G, because they seem to be more reliable than an iRiver with optical out, and more convenient than a CDP with a bunch of CD's in a case. I spent too much money on all the other optical out sources, amps and phones to do it right now.
PS: I will be rolling the opamps on my D1 to the best combination that has been found as of last week, to improve the analog input sound quality for when I do the iMod.
With the H140 I will have more room for lossless files. But the 320kbps VBR are good enough for when I can't pay attention to all the details but want to enjoy it without noticable artifacts. I actually think some of my 192kbps mp3's via optical to DAC/AMP are still very good until I compare them to the CD player, while the 320kbps are almost indistinguishable.