[mellows]

I just bought the iPod Universal Dock and I'm sad to see that the volume controls on the iPod still work. I thought the amp stage would be cut out?

 

[adiZero]

I don't think the ipod univeral dock has a true line out (at least my didn't). I replaced my apple doc with a cheap and smaller dock from sendstation (yes, with a true line out).

 

[mellows]

Damn. What the hell is the point then, besides standing up nice and straight...

 

[3X0]

The "old-school" Universal Docks (without IR remote control support) have a true line-out. I purchased one designed for the third generation and removed the plastic upper and it works great.

 

[krmathis]

Sorry to hear that you though that, and bought it!
It makes sense for most people to be able to adjust the volume with the remote control. Not exactly what a Head-Fier want though...

 

[mellows]

I'm just thinking, is it possible that it is still bypassing the iPod's amp? Perhaps there is volume control somewhere else? Just grabbing at straws here as you can plainly see...

 

[mellows]

Well I've just discovered that the volume control when it's in the dock is separate from the normal volume control. That is, I can have the normal volume at 10% but when I put it in the dock it jumps up to 100% or whatever and when I take it out it goes back to 10%...

 

[mellows]

Bump. Anyone have an idea what's happening here? Is it possible that this volume control is still bypassing the iPod's amp? So more like software volume control...

Edit: the same volume level straight through the headphone out and through the dock sounds completely different on my earphones - through the dock is much quieter for the same volume level, which makes me think that it isn't amplifying the signal but just changing its volume...