[Nick B]

Greetings Learned Forum:

I finally broke down and replaced my ancient Archos Jukebox 10 GB with a new 5g ipod 60 GB. I am strongly considering installing Rockbox, since that is what I ran on my old Archos and loved it. But that topic is being discussed in another thread. I raise it here to the extent it may impact on the topics discussed below.

My Archos had a built-in line out, which I used with my pa2v2 almost exclusively. BTW, I use Westone UM2's almost exclusively with this set-up.

I am wondering if people are using their 5g's amped, or straight out of the pod? Would amped through a pa2v2 necessarily result in better sound quality? Is there a concensus?

And if one amps, there also seems to be quite a split of opinion regarding getting the signal from the headphone out vs. using a line out signal. It's too bad there is no direct line out on the 5g, so getting line out means another purchase, another wire, less compactness, etc. Any new thoughts on this issue?

Finally, since this is my first ipod, what are some suggestions for good online information? I LOVE this site for it's depth and thoroughness, but it is necessarily a "Jack of All Trades". Is there a website that covers ipods more exclusively? I have stumbled upon ilounge. Any place else worth checking out.

Thank you for your opinions and expertise.

Nick B

 

[mrarroyo]

For iPod related issues you could try: http://www.ilounge.com/

As far as a line out vs. the build in amp there is a very pronounce improvement using the line out. To get a line out you can to to:
-Sendstation Pocket Dock: http://www.sendstation.com/us/produc...ineout-fw.html
-Moon Audio Docks: http://www.moon-audio.com/
-Turbo Dock III: http://www.fixup.net/talk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1746
-SiK line out: http://www.sik.com/ram_din.php
-Audio line out: http://www.audiolineout.com/

Of course you would need a mini to mini in most of the examples listed above.

 

[bigshot]

Whether or not there is a difference between line out or headphone out is going to depend on the headphones you use. With my Sennheiser PX-100s, there is almost no difference. With my HD-590s, there is. A headphone amp is more important for in ear monitors and home headphones.

See ya
Steve

 

[biged]

I agree with bigshot. Probably depends ob what cans you are using.
The PA2V2 sounds good with the Koss and Grado/Alessandro cans I have used and I use a LOD from audiolineout.com..
Take care, Ed.

 

[stewtheking]

Not sure about the UM2's, but if they are as sensitive as my e5's then you are going to be losing quality going straight out of the headphone jack.

As for the lineout versus the headphone out. I believe Bangraman did a comparison between the line-out and the headphone out on "maximum minus 2 clicks", and found there to be no difference, however for ease of use, the line-out is likely to be a better option.

Horses for courses really.

 

[jocke]

i use the line out with the remote control. we did make some test here at work, and all 3 of us, heard alot of difference between the two. We both bought the remote after the test. we used shure e5c and sony**71.

 

[TAsunder]

Why would line out be better for ease of use? That seems unlikely to me, considering you lose the ability to charge the unit or attach any other accessory.

 

[stewtheking]

By ease of use I mean that it is very easy to knock the volume control when you don't need to, which would result in it being tricky to find the volume spot for optimum quality.

With a pocketdock lineout you can still charge the unit i believe (though I've never tried).

Yes it would mean slightly more bulk, but this is fairly negligable when compared to the size of an amp.