iPod Classic stomps all over 5th gen

[bigshot]

Unless you're using a preamp to balance the line level outputs, any difference you hear is more likely to be a slight variation in output volume than differences in sound quality or the dock you're using.

See ya
Steve

 

[Stoney]

Quote:

Can people's ears really be that different?

Yes. About 1 in 5 have hearing loss or abnormalities according to audiology, and those people fail to match the remaining 4 out of 5 in blind tests of loudspeaker preference. So, those that don't hear differences are very likely among those with hearing loss... or other types of neurological deficit. ;^)

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif Unless you're using a preamp to balance the line level outputs, any difference you hear is more likely to be a slight variation in output volume than differences in sound quality or the dock you're using. See ya Steve

No, that isn't it. Thanks anyway.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoney /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes. About 1 in 5 have hearing loss or abnormalities according to audiology, and those people fail to match the remaining 4 out of 5 in blind tests of loudspeaker preference. So, those that don't hear differences are very likely among those with hearing loss... or other types of neurological deficit. ;^)

That is the proverbial bath of the swine. The iPod Classic sounds pretty much the same as all the other iPods. The reason that the reports of its sound quality are all over the place is because people desperately want to be able to detect a difference, even though there isn't any.

See ya
Steve

 

[HK_M3]

I was thinking about getting the 5.5G with the Red Wine Mod. I would prefer the Classic with a MOVE amp....any ideas as to the better bet?

-Nate

 

[bigshot]

I think you would be wiser to put your money in an iPod and an amp, rather than putting it all into a single iPod which can end its life with a single drop to the pavement.

See ya
Steve

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HK_M3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was thinking about getting the 5.5G with the Red Wine Mod. I would prefer the Classic with a MOVE amp....any ideas as to the better bet? -Nate

With all the "my ears don't hear a difference" peeps in here, try askng Vinnie at Red Wine Audio. Answering here is a waste of time.

 

[IPodPJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict /img/forum/go_quote.gif The biggest improvement I get is smoother and less dark highs on the 5.5G, and better soundstage with all of them. But, I just don't think the soundstage on the Classic was quite as wide as with my 5.5 or other ipods cia LOD.

Are you kidding me? The soundstage on the Classic is MUCH wider than the 5g. The 5g is extremely congested, and really has no soundstage. I have no idea about the iMod, but the soundstage on the stock 5g is terrible.

Quote:

Now with the addition of an ALO Jumbo X cryo silver dock I am seeing a lot more bass from line out as well as better soundstage. I'll need to try the new LOD with my friend's classic and compare - I never thought a cable would make that much difference till I heard this one. Now I can't bear to go back the Senstation Pocket dock again.

That I agree with. A good cable makes all the difference in the world.

 

[Khanate]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HK_M3 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I was thinking about getting the 5.5G with the Red Wine Mod. I would prefer the Classic with a MOVE amp....any ideas as to the better bet? -Nate

With a iMod you're going to want an amp since you cant regulate the sound otherwise I believe, in which case you're going to need to buy an iMod and an amp..

 

[rxc]

Go for the iMod and amp...and Vcap dock

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by markopolo /img/forum/go_quote.gif We have everything from people saying it sounds like ass (myself included) to it's a paragon of iPod sound excellence. I wonder what accounts for such a huge disparity of opinions with the same model. Can people's ears really be that different?

It also comes down to a matter of taste and sample variance. Not all units sound the same even if they're the same model.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lan /img/forum/go_quote.gif It also comes down to a matter of taste and sample variance. Not all units sound the same even if they're the same model.

If there's a significant variance like that, odds are you got your hands on a defective unit. Most well designed and well manufactured electronics sound quite consistent.

See ya
Steve

 

[sjino]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif If there's a significant variance like that, odds are you got your hands on a defective unit. Most well designed and well manufactured electronics sound quite consistent. See ya Steve

Bingo. I'd say this also applies to the person who thinks the 5g sounds "extremely congested" with "terrible" soundstage. Perhaps the 5g that person listened to was defective, because my stock 5g sounds just fine. I don't find it "extremely congested" at all, and the soundstage is perfectly acceptable for what it is: a portable digital music player.

In the end, some will like the Classic because it has the kind of sound they favor, while others won't like it because it doesn't have the kind of sound signature they like. Fair enough. But whenever someone starts a thread with the subject "Classic stomps all over 5g," you're bound to bring out folks on both sides.

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif If there's a significant variance like that, odds are you got your hands on a defective unit. Most well designed and well manufactured electronics sound quite consistent.

No defects. It's all within tolerance. Mass produced electronics are not exactly the same. It's possible to notice the difference between phones, cars, headphones, etc. Portable audio units are no different. Maybe some people don't notice but I do. There's no reason to call something that is perceived differently defective.

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjino /img/forum/go_quote.gif In the end, some will like the Classic because it has the kind of sound they favor, while others won't like it because it doesn't have the kind of sound signature they like.

The goal of a source is to present the music flat... exactly to spec. If you want to add color to the sound, you do that with equalization or speakers/headphones. The iPod of all generations is remarkably flat. It's neither bassy nor trebley. The reason people describe it as being all over the place is because listeners aren't as well calibrated as iPods.

See ya
Steve