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Originally Posted by Crazy*Carl /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Ya, there is some confusion here.
I don't use my amp with the shuffle. I am comparing the DAC/AMP via my computer directly to my shuffle by itself.
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I see, thanks for clearing that up!
People are all different, it is my belief that we all hear things differently and this is why its hard to talk about hifi equipment without generalising a little, but it could be that you simply don't hear things the same as a lot of other people (i.e. the vast majority of the head-fi community) as generally speaking the things you are describing are not the norm.
A low quality amplifier such as the one found inside your shuffle, my ipod and many other portable source players can still output a signal that is acceptable for the masses and can drive equipment to loud volumes (but don't associate loudness with ability or quality), it doesn't make them hifi though, my all in one home cinema system can drive to very loud levels playing compressed movie soundtracks but is it hifi? Not a chance.
A quality amplifier will not change the basic sound of the source, but it exists to give proper control over the phone/loudspeaker it is there to drive, it should offer greater headroom, dynamics and separation than a cheaper alternative and lower distortion levels too which should all add up to a much cleaner sound.
If I plug my 650's into my ipod it will work, but it cannot drive them properly and the result is a harsher sound that is hard on the ears, the bass is overblown and boomy and very lacking in speed and control, through the line out and amplifier and there is the control and separation, allied to greater headroom that I mentioned above, bass notes hit harder and stop faster, treble doesn't hurt the ears and much longer listening periods can be sustained.
I am not trying to sound better than you because I can discern differences in equipment, I have no answer for why you cannot, but you must try other stuff and not generalise in your thoughts, I would investigate your amp/dac a little, is it faulty perhaps? I am sure the manufacturer would be disheartened to hear that in your opinion it is no better than a mass produced ipod shuffle!
Regarding music as a hobby, I think it is, music on its own can be a pastime/hobby anywhere but I think it develops into a more interesting one when hifi is involved.