ipod shuffle what makes it sound sooo good??

[fc911c]

Got it thanks for clearing that up.

Frank

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif What you're speaking of is the iMod, an excellent unit. I was referring to the line out contained in the docking port on all 3rd, 4th and 5th gen. units. You need what is called a "line out dock" to make use of it. This is any unit that has a 31 pin ipod connector on one end, and a more standard connector on the other. Traditionally, this is a 1/8" stereo plug. These are for sale at aloaudio.com, as well as at other places.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif When using the line out, the iPod is one of the best sounding hard drive players available. Couple that with the extreme availability of replacement parts and aftermarket service centers, and it's a great player. It has the market locked up. However, as evidenced by the fact that none of us here put up with iBuds, we are a contentious lot. Even a home run like the ipod will have its detractors, and they all live here.

Most of today's lot don't even know what a 'line out' is. Why not incorporate technology that would benefit the majority of your customers?

Then again...I shouldn't be too one-sided on this since I will buy the Shuffle in the future. Hypocritical as that may sound.

 

[recstar24]

I bought a 1st gen shuffle for my wife on her birthday. One day I just happen to borrow it to hear my grados and was absolutely stunned at how smooth and full bodied the sound was. Insane I tell you, probably the best sounding ipod stock headphone out to my ears.

 

[fc911c]

Will the modded or line out ipod sound better than the Shuffle?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif What you're speaking of is the iMod, an excellent unit. I was referring to the line out contained in the docking port on all 3rd, 4th and 5th gen. units. You need what is called a "line out dock" to make use of it. This is any unit that has a 31 pin ipod connector on one end, and a more standard connector on the other. Traditionally, this is a 1/8" stereo plug. These are for sale at aloaudio.com, as well as at other places.

 

[fc911c]

I know just how you feel. I felt the same way with the Gen2 and my HD-650's. It looks so ridiculus at the end of my 1/4 to 1/8 converter. I wish I had a 1 foot cable for the 650's with a mini plug, then I could clip it to my collar.


Quote:

Originally Posted by recstar24 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I bought a 1st gen shuffle for my wife on her birthday. One day I just happen to borrow it to hear my grados and was absolutely stunned at how smooth and full bodied the sound was. Insane I tell you, probably the best sounding ipod stock headphone out to my ears.

 

[bowraboy]

I just bought one refurbished from Apple Australia.

The only problem is it won't play Apple lossless. You can automatically convert high bit rate songs to 128 AAC (only). The problem is it converts lossless & lossy to 128 AAC.

 

[liquidfireboy]

I have a Samsung YP-K3 and 1st gen Shuffle. While the Samsung sounds slightly clearer, there is a sore lack of 'energy' in the sound.

I need to send the Shuffle in for servicing though. If i leave a fully-charged shuffle without playing music for half a day, the batt indicator goes orange/red. Weirdness.

 

[Wodgy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquidfireboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I need to send the Shuffle in for servicing though. If i leave a fully-charged shuffle without playing music for half a day, the batt indicator goes orange/red. Weirdness.

If your battery is just dead (eventually all rechargeables get that way), you can get replacement batteries for the Shuffle on eBay. Probably other places too.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by immtbiker /img/forum/go_quote.gif Many of the first generation Shuffles were bad, right out of the box (software lockups and not being recognized by the PC). I bought 2 for my son and neither of them worked. I had articles about the problems, but none of them were bookmarked. I will try to find one. BTW- When "using the line out" is mentioned, it is refering to the 4th and 5th generation HD units, not the Shuffle.

Yeah the Shuffle is pretty bare bones as it gets. Thanks for that warning. Wouldn't a firmware update solve that though? I hope Apple still offers a firmware page for the First Gen users.

I'll look that up right now.

 

[Sherwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fc911c /img/forum/go_quote.gif Will the modded or line out ipod sound better than the Shuffle?

Each should hypothetically sound better, but keep in mind that line out needs to run to a headphone amplifier. An imod alone runs for almost $700 these days, throw in an amp and you could hit $1000. That's a large investment to beat a $30 portable.

 

[Wodgy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yeah the Shuffle is pretty bare bones as it gets. Thanks for that warning. Wouldn't a firmware update solve that though? I hope Apple still offers a firmware page for the First Gen users. I'll look that up right now.

The firmware for the first gen Shuffles is now integrated into iTunes; you no longer need to use the separate downloader.

 

[Sherwood]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dissembled /img/forum/go_quote.gif Most of today's lot don't even know what a 'line out' is. Why not incorporate technology that would benefit the majority of your customers?

And they shouldn't. Most people enjoy their headphone out just fine, and don't need a line out. Even when they connect it to speakers, they know to set the volume between 60 and 80 percent and they're fine.

As for technology that would benefit the customers, Apple makes what they feel is marketable, and they do a damn good job. If "the majority" of apple's customers wanted FM radio, a line in, or FLAC files then the maority would buy Creative, iRiver, or Cowon products. This is the beauty of the free market. People don't buy these players because they don't want these technological options. They want something to burn their cds, download album covers, and play their music and movies. Apple provides this at a price millions of people find acceptable and as such they sell tens of millions of units. Simple as that. No reason to be frustrated with Apple, just buy something else. Absolutely no one is holding your feet to the fire here.

 

[fc911c]

ok, yes I know about the amp part of it. I am in the process of building a few kits now.

I like the look of the newer 5.5 versions but will these sound as good after the mod as the 4th gen versions? SQ is most important to me, or should I stick with the non hard drive versions of the ipod?


Thanks
Frank



Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif Each should hypothetically sound better, but keep in mind that line out needs to run to a headphone amplifier. An imod alone runs for almost $700 these days, throw in an amp and you could hit $1000. That's a large investment to beat a $30 portable.

 

[liquidfireboy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wodgy /img/forum/go_quote.gif If your battery is just dead (eventually all rechargeables get that way), you can get replacement batteries for the Shuffle on eBay. Probably other places too.

I have around 6 mths more of warranty to go. The shuffle was great when I first got it though.

 

[dissembled]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sherwood /img/forum/go_quote.gif And they shouldn't. Most people enjoy their headphone out just fine, and don't need a line out. Even when they connect it to speakers, they know to set the volume between 60 and 80 percent and they're fine. As for technology that would benefit the customers, Apple makes what they feel is marketable, and they do a damn good job. If "the majority" of apple's customers wanted FM radio, a line in, or FLAC files then the maority would buy Creative, iRiver, or Cowon products. This is the beauty of the free market. People don't buy these players because they don't want these technological options. They want something to burn their cds, download album covers, and play their music and movies. Apple provides this at a price millions of people find acceptable and as such they sell tens of millions of units. Simple as that. No reason to be frustrated with Apple, just buy something else. Absolutely no one is holding your feet to the fire here.

PSHHH. The majority of the population buys an Ipod because it's IN. Simple as that.

I guess they deserve what they get.