Ipod Line out Sound quality Differences?

[Caution]

Hi Guys :]

I was bored yesterday and found my old iriver IFP-395T lying around, and out of curiosity i plugged in my new KSC-75 headphones into the headphone jack and set the eq to Rock, and was blown away by the sound quality difference between the old iriver player vs the ipod.

The Ipod sounded flat, lifeless and virtually had no bass which is a big no no in my books

Now I was just wondering If I got a Line out dock and used my PA2v2 Amp what differences would I notice from the original ipod headphone jack? And I know this may be a subjective question, but would the difference be subtle or day and night like the old iriver is compared to the ipod?

 

[Caution]

anyone? O_o

 

[nfsu]

iriver has superb SQ, there are not many things which sound better.
However, iPod is well known from having great line out, so SQ will improve noticeable, but I'm not sure wheter it can beat good old iriver

Even if so (I doubt, IFP are one of the best players I've ever heard), difference won't be like night and day

 

[Caution]

thanks for the input

It's sad to see that an ipod can't really keep up with the old irivers unless you have a nice amp ):

you mention SQ will improve from the line out, what aspects of the SQ are better? Deeper bass? Better clarity?

 

[nfsu]

It's because it's hard to keep up with old irivers, they are just brilliant.
Quote:

you mention SQ will improve from the line out, what aspects of the SQ are better? Deeper bass? Better clarity?

Depending on amp you use, everything to none will be improved

Mainly bass will improve, in my case also soundstage is much better, overall it sounds iriver-style a bit

What will improve while using PA2v2? I have no idea, but it should be mentioned in opinions or review on this forum. Search and you should find

 

[ChaseD13]

i have never been impressed with the ipod's lineout. Hence the reason for the imod (though i don't have one).

my guess would be that the iriver's lineout > ipod lineout.

 

[nfsu]

IFP 300 series doesn't have line out... But H100/H300 does. And I've heard that comparing to iPod's line out iriver's line out is better either.

 

[Caution]

Ok thanks for the input guys

I've found someone whose willing to sell a used Dock for cheap

!

 

[bigshot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caution /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi Guys :] I was bored yesterday and found my old iriver IFP-395T lying around, and out of curiosity i plugged in my new KSC-75 headphones into the headphone jack and set the eq to Rock, and was blown away...

BZZZT!

If you're applying equalization to one source and not the other, you're comparing apples and oranges.

See ya
Steve

 

[Filburt]

Hmm...it seems like false analogy to claim it's apples and oranges. Ultimately, post-EQ performance is relevant in evaluating the qualitative performance of a device if EQ is providing the most felicitous performance. If you aren't happy with the performance of a device versus that of another post-EQ, that seems like relevant evidence in determining which is preferable to you. Otherwise, you're basically left telling someone to settle for lower qualitative performance based on some value judgment that EQ is inadmissible evidence in judging performance.

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Filburt /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hmm...it seems like false analogy to claim it's apples and oranges. Ultimately, post-EQ performance is relevant in evaluating the qualitative performance of a device if EQ is providing the most felicitous performance. If you aren't happy with the performance of a device versus that of another post-EQ, that seems like relevant evidence in determining which is preferable to you. Otherwise, you're basically left telling someone to settle for lower qualitative performance based on some value judgment that EQ is inadmissible evidence in judging performance.

Yes, but then it makes a worthwhile comparison near-impossible because the EQ can be rigged any way you want. Fact is, many people can't tell the difference between quality and flavour - even those who purport to be audiophiles - and in most cases people will go for the more pleasingly flavoured source vs the better quality, as well as the louder source in a back-to-back comparison.


Nothing wrong with that in terms of enjoyment of music, but it does make figuring out what they consider as 'better quality' a thousand times harder, especially when it isn't in more readily quantifiable terms.


Of course, if the sonic preference is based on many other influencing factors such as preferring sources you can afford / own, or sources you believe sets you apart from the masses... regardless of the actual results, then that's an additional complication. But it happens all the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaseD13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif i have never been impressed with the ipod's lineout. Hence the reason for the imod (though i don't have one). my guess would be that the iriver's lineout > ipod lineout.

Not the last time I checked (blind switch on a Stax Omega II). Both are pretty decent, but the 3G iPod edged it out in a WAV vs ALAC comparison. The 5G would be lower but still not actually beaten by the iRiver... more like very similar. And that's even including any 'felicitous tonal differences', as certain types who have a habit of sneering at other sources which they aren't in a position to own might say.

 

[MiG(TM)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif BZZZT! If you're applying equalization to one source and not the other, you're comparing apples and oranges. See ya Steve

But you can't apply the EQ on the iPod because its like.... a Death Sentence ?