iPod line out vs "good" headphone out

[Navyblue]

I am using a Sony 4GB Sony A826 right now, which was then considered as one of the player with the best sounding headphone out.

I am looking for more capacity right now. I wonder what should I be expecting with an iPod line out vs the headphone out of better players like Sony, Sansa or Cowon? Better? No better? I'll be using an amp but would appreciate a good headphone out as well when amp is out of juice.

Basically I am looking for the best sounding player with a large capacity. Classic seems to be the only option for capacity, but I am never a fan of any sort of touch interface including the iPod touch wheel. Other alternative would be larger Sony or Sansa flash players. It looks like I have to make some sort of compromise so I'd let sound quality be the deciding factor.

Thanks.

 

[Punnisher]

I'd say no better.

After all numerous sources have confirmed that the the ipod line out is just an amplified signal from the DAC which is set to a line level.

I amped my D2 for a while and it sounds very good. It's also handy because you can set the volume a little lower to account for an imbalance in the volume knob or gain on the amp being too high.

 

[Navyblue]

Thanks

, I was kind of hoping to hear that iPod line out is no better than other DAP's headphone out.

 

[rvikul]

Have you considered the Zune 80 or Zune 120? The SQ out of its HP out is very decent. I dont know how it compares to iPod's line-out, but I have seen many folks at head-fi post that the Zune's HP out can hold its own.

 

[Navyblue]

I'm not ruling out anything yet.

Sony, Sansa, Cowon, Zune or iPod they all have their fans, I read a lot of threads but I doubt I'd arrive at anything conclusive as far as SQ goes.

I am leaning towards another Sony, also to the Fuze for its expandable memory, also to iPod Classic as it seems to have the best byte for buck. Can you tell that I am confused?

But what I know is I am not averse to amping headphone out if it would perform just as well.

 

[rvikul]

I suggested Zune because you wanted higher capacity. AFAIK, the per-byte cost is the same with ipods and ipod's HP out is known to be bad.

I would recommend that you try out iTunes and Zune's PC s/w to see which one you like. They are both free downloads.

Good luck in your search and sorry about your wallet!

 

[shigzeo]

there have been no conclusive reports that the ipod's line out is an amped from the dac line. there has been speculation. that said, just about any portable player will get a much needed boost in everything when amped from the headphone out.

each player i have amped sounded much much better with an amp. even my shuffle 2g which was not a great player sounded great with the supermicro iv.

same with my d2 which without an amp, was not for me. many players lose hiss etc. the ipod does have the great line out but also has a great headphone out that will not lose to any other player out there. amping a headphone out or line out: both are great

 

[ericj]

Not to mention, when you say "ipod" you're referring to at least three different hardware families.

PP5002 vs. 5020 vs. 5022 and 5024.

 

[andychen]

I think it really depends on the amp you will be using. I have not tried many things but I would think IPOD+Pico combo would sound better than many HP out, and what's more important is they can be used to drive basically any earphones.

 

[shigzeo]

it is not a question of good headphone out versus bad one when an amp is brought into the equation. that dedicated amp will destroy any internal amp in any portable mp3 player, full stop.

they all are rubbish compared even to the cheapest of dedicated headphone amps... complete and utter rubbish. you add a shuffle 2g to the pico and that combo would destroy the best of portables without an amp.

 

[andychen]

Actually I think the real question is: which of these sound better: IPOD line out+LOD+pico vs. IPOD HP out +pico (using mini-mini interconenct). If IPOD line out is not a true, clean LOD, then those two should sound the same.

I may do some comparison when I have time, just wondering what others think.

 

[Navyblue]

What is often heard said is that with an amp iPod improves a great deal when used with a LOD than plugging a mini cable to the headphone out, whereas other 'better' players would improve much less, but headphone out is considered as inferiorto a headphone out.

I think it can be said is that I am trying to verify the wisdom above.

 

[andychen]

"whereas other 'better' players would improve much less"

Am I misunderstanding or something? Some good players I know, like SONY walkman, Sandisk Sansa, Corwon D2, do not have a line out. Therefore there is no such comparison like line out+amp vs HP out +amp?

 

[rvikul]

Quote:

Originally Posted by andychen /img/forum/go_quote.gif "whereas other 'better' players would improve much less" Am I misunderstanding or something? Some good players I know, like SONY walkman, Sandisk Sansa, Corwon D2, do not have a line out. Therefore there is no such comparison like line out+amp vs HP out +amp?

I believe the original statement is based on the assumption that the iPod's HP out is inferior to the other players you mentioned.

 

[Navyblue]

Quote:

Originally Posted by andychen /img/forum/go_quote.gif "whereas other 'better' players would improve much less" Am I misunderstanding or something? Some good players I know, like SONY walkman, Sandisk Sansa, Corwon D2, do not have a line out. Therefore there is no such comparison like line out+amp vs HP out +amp?

I think there are member here that DIY a LOD for Sony players and claimed to observe minor improvement. Of course that came back to the question if the so called line out is actually just unattenuated headphone out.