Mindblock
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2008
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I don't know if this is the best forum for this post, as it touches upon sources, amps, and connections.....oh well, here goes.....
I must confess that I have read with some interest the posts here and elsewhere citing the relatively poor sound quality of the iPod headphone out but until today I didn’t have a good feeling for the magnitude of the difference.
For a bit of perspective, for the past four years or so while traveling I have been listening, quite happily mind you, to apple lossless files on Etymotic ER4's though a Total Airhead connected to one of many iPods (U2, mini, shuffle, and now 120GB Classic) via mini-to-mini cable.
I had read about subtle sound differences between amps, the change in sonic profile that “burn-in” does or does not produce and when listening critically to these rigs with the mini-to-mini connection I was able to pick up what I considered to be subtle differences between 192k files and lossless files.
Earlier today I received my “3.5 to 3.5 Interconnect Silver Plated Copper Wire Flat Cable” and LOD which I had ordered from iBasso and hooked up the iPod Classic to Total Airhead via LOD and I have not been able to pull the Etys out of my ears….it is as if I had never heard them before…..an opaque screen has been lifted and I am hearing MUSIC as opposed to sound.
There was a sound stage before, and it wasn’t bad, but for the first time there is depth to the image and the voicing of the instruments is FAR more distinct…..simply outstanding. Hearing what this has done for the Etys I hate to imagine how my Triple.Fi 10’s are going to sound…..like I said, I can't seem to pull teh Etys out of my ears <G>.....
Like many here, I am awaiting delivery of my pre-order RSA P-51 Mustang. I now have far greater understanding for Ray Samuels’ urging that people not listen to his amps with iPods unless they use a LOD.
The difference in sound I have experienced today is definitely on par with the Exemplar mod to my Denon 3910, or my turntable upgrade to the Basis 2200 with a Dynavector 17D3 cartridge…..but THIS cost less than $50!!
Why didn't I listen to the combined wisdom sooner???
I must confess that I have read with some interest the posts here and elsewhere citing the relatively poor sound quality of the iPod headphone out but until today I didn’t have a good feeling for the magnitude of the difference.
For a bit of perspective, for the past four years or so while traveling I have been listening, quite happily mind you, to apple lossless files on Etymotic ER4's though a Total Airhead connected to one of many iPods (U2, mini, shuffle, and now 120GB Classic) via mini-to-mini cable.
I had read about subtle sound differences between amps, the change in sonic profile that “burn-in” does or does not produce and when listening critically to these rigs with the mini-to-mini connection I was able to pick up what I considered to be subtle differences between 192k files and lossless files.
Earlier today I received my “3.5 to 3.5 Interconnect Silver Plated Copper Wire Flat Cable” and LOD which I had ordered from iBasso and hooked up the iPod Classic to Total Airhead via LOD and I have not been able to pull the Etys out of my ears….it is as if I had never heard them before…..an opaque screen has been lifted and I am hearing MUSIC as opposed to sound.
There was a sound stage before, and it wasn’t bad, but for the first time there is depth to the image and the voicing of the instruments is FAR more distinct…..simply outstanding. Hearing what this has done for the Etys I hate to imagine how my Triple.Fi 10’s are going to sound…..like I said, I can't seem to pull teh Etys out of my ears <G>.....
Like many here, I am awaiting delivery of my pre-order RSA P-51 Mustang. I now have far greater understanding for Ray Samuels’ urging that people not listen to his amps with iPods unless they use a LOD.
The difference in sound I have experienced today is definitely on par with the Exemplar mod to my Denon 3910, or my turntable upgrade to the Basis 2200 with a Dynavector 17D3 cartridge…..but THIS cost less than $50!!
Why didn't I listen to the combined wisdom sooner???