Weakest source, without compromising too much quality??

[jilgiljongiljing]

Sorry bigshot, I don't regard the line out of the Ipod so highly and yes I have heard it and compared it and I am fairly certain that most of the popular USB DACs (EMU 0202 and 0404 for example) most definitely sound much better than the Ipods line out.

You seem to regard it very highly, I guess its just a difference of opinion. So I'll leave it at that.

 

[22906]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilgiljongiljing /img/forum/go_quote.gif The whole logic is screwed up. First of all how much an upgrade is worth depends on the individual. Just because you feel an expensive upgrade is worth it ONLY if there is a SIGNIFICANT increase in SQ, doesnt mean everyone is like that. There are several ppl who will be very happy with shelling out thousands of $ for better extension in treble or just a marginal improvement. Secondly, what do you mean by "don't be afraid to test it out in all possible ways", that doesnt even make any sense, the amp has one single purpose is to take the signal from the source and feed it to the headphone, thats it, there are no other ways in which to use it. And if you already have a decent amp, then your source IS the bottleneck in your setup if you are still using an IPOD. Its just simple logic. Edit:And if you meant tube rolling, then its still just going to modify the sound fed into it by the source, Garbage in = Garbage out. The Ipod with line out might be satisfactory for the OP, but just don't generalize, everyone has priorities. Source should have the highest priority in the Audio chain. If you have a **** sounding source and a several thousand $ amp, its gonna sound like crap and it does boil down to money, there can be a cheap T-amp equivalent that can perform close to its bigger counterparts, but if you use it with a several thousand dollar source, then the T-amp is the bottleneck, so unfortunately, in the audio world, it does come back to money.

By test in all possible ways I mean with different components. And sorry, I'm not going to buy the argument that the amount of money you spend on your equipment dictates how good it sounds.

I'm not making any claims about the iPod or any other specific source, just the methodology of choosing audio components. You're right that the significance of sound quality increase may be subjective. For that reason, you should upgrade your source only if it will make your system sound better to you. How your money is distributed among your components is irrelevant; what matters is whether you chose the right components after testing them out.

 

[bigshot]

There's nothing wrong with the DAC in the iPod. It's just as good as those USB DACs. If you're worried about the quality of the preamp circuitry, you can always get an older model and mod that, but that's a pretty minor thing to tweak. The recording, encoding quality, cans and amp will all make much more of a difference than that.

See ya
Steve

 

[Jingo Lingo]

What the hell is with the elitist attitude going on in these forums? Since when is an individual not entitled to have an opinion without being ridiculed?
Quote:

Hm...I'd flame you right now on the basis of generalizing...but too tired.

You don't have any basis to "flame" me. I was merely giving my opinion.

Quote:

it is pretty much guaranteed that if you are not ignorant and not def, and in this hobby, you will enjoy a more even monetary distribution on equipment.

You say I'm generalizing? Why on earth would you get more enjoyment out of having a more even "momentary distribution"? That's absurd. If one only notices a minor difference in spending X amount of dollars in upgrading their source, but notices a much bigger difference when they use that some money to get "better"/different 'phones then monentary distribution has nothing to do with the satisfaction they are obtaining from their gear. I'm not ignorant or "def" either, and I am very much in this hobby.

To the OP, use your own ears. There's a lot of misinformation out there. Keep in mind that digital sources have come a long way with many of them using similar, if not the same components. "In my opinion" the differences are subtle in comparison to amps and 'phones. Also remember that more money doesn't always equal better sound. It's all about preference.

 

[Manny Calavera]

Quote:

Originally Posted by m3_arun /img/forum/go_quote.gif By test in all possible ways I mean with different components. And sorry, I'm not going to buy the argument that the amount of money you spend on your equipment dictates how good it sounds. I'm not making any claims about the iPod or any other specific source, just the methodology of choosing audio components. You're right that the significance of sound quality increase may be subjective. For that reason, you should upgrade your source only if it will make your system sound better to you. How your money is distributed among your components is irrelevant; what matters is whether you chose the right components after testing them out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigshot /img/forum/go_quote.gif There's nothing wrong with the DAC in the iPod. It's just as good as those USB DACs. If you're worried about the quality of the preamp circuitry, you can always get an older model and mod that, but that's a pretty minor thing to tweak. The recording, encoding quality, cans and amp will all make much more of a difference than that. See ya Steve

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingo Lingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif What the hell is with the elitist attitude going on in these forums? Since when is an individual not entitled to have an opinion without being ridiculed? You don't have any basis to "flame" me. I was merely giving my opinion. You say I'm generalizing? Why on earth would you get more enjoyment out of having a more even "momentary distribution"? That's absurd. If one only notices a minor difference in spending X amount of dollars in upgrading their source, but notices a much bigger difference when they use that some money to get "better"/different 'phones then monentary distribution has nothing to do with the satisfaction they are obtaining from their gear. I'm not ignorant or "def" either, and I am very much in this hobby. To the OP, use your own ears. There's a lot of misinformation out there. Keep in mind that digital sources have come a long way with many of them using similar, if not the same components. "In my opinion" the differences are subtle in comparison to amps and 'phones. Also remember that more money doesn't always equal better sound. It's all about preference.

I very much agree with the above posts.

QTF X2

I agree with what Mr Cheney says here

As an exanple my Solo punches way above its wieght.As does the Ipod's line out,IMHO...

I think there is a lot of straight BS thrown around on forums like this,and some newbies take it as words from the guru's/experts what have you,based
on post count,etc.

 

[Bon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingo Lingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif To the OP, use your own ears. There's a lot of misinformation out there. Keep in mind that digital sources have come a long way with many of them using similar, if not the same components. "In my opinion" the differences are subtle in comparison to amps and 'phones. Also remember that more money doesn't always equal better sound. It's all about preference.

Well put Jingo Lingo, and yea obviously the best way is to hear for yourself and then decide, a bit tough is all when you live in a place like New Zealand but i guess i will find out if the ipod will hold up to its rep when the dv arrives.

Keeping a level head and taking all info with a grain of salt, keep your two cents coming! cheers fellas

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Well put Jingo Lingo, and yea obviously the best way is to hear for yourself and then decide, a bit tough is all when you live in a place like New Zealand but i guess i will find out if the ipod will hold up to its rep when the dv arrives.

+1.

One of the reasons for the extreme post I put is to attract more debate to the issue, although I still disagree with the general suggestion here that everything is subjective and the underlying feel: 'if you find something acceptable, stick to it'. In the OPs case it is definitely 'hear for yourself and decide' because the field to play is small and the OP is just starting out of with equipment, but all of you who are more experienced here should definitely know that at one point or another everyone thought their setup sounded great only to have their view demolished when compared to much better matched equipment.

Also, going by the idea that something is acceptable in face of not having tried much better products in the same budget range (I am considering an entire audio setup a product, not the individual parts that make it up in order to introduce more variation between what is available on the market) hurts the market substantially by making less than stellar equipment acceptable and viable sales model, and reducing consumer surplus due by not getting the best bundle available (which occurs due to not considering enough information about the market).

 

[MaloS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingo Lingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif What the hell is with the elitist attitude going on in these forums? Since when is an individual not entitled to have an opinion without being ridiculed?

What the hell is with lack of objectivity on this forums? People are allowed to make all kinds of claims based on what they like! Sure it is easy to come up with a myriad of excuses for doing so, but freedom of speech does not imply freedom from being frowned upon (everyone is frowning upon me right now, no complaints about that, you are entitled to that). More so, if no one ever suggests that something could be wrong, we would never have anything scientific going.

And we do need some scientific grounds here, badly.

 

[dreamwhisper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaloS /img/forum/go_quote.gif What the hell is with lack of objectivity on this forums? People are allowed to make all kinds of claims based on what they like! Sure it is easy to come up with a myriad of excuses for doing so, but freedom of speech does not imply freedom from being frowned upon (everyone is frowning upon me right now, no complaints about that, you are entitled to that). More so, if no one ever suggests that something could be wrong, we would never have anything scientific going. And we do need some scientific grounds here, badly.

Although we all quest for excellent sound I think it's important to remember that some people are just as happy hearing iBuds, and some people are just as happy listening to ocean waves or throwing rocks and hearing ricochets and echoes.
We audiophiles are obsessed with this quest for hi-fi,
Yes we do need some scientific grounds here, badly BUT
we ALSO need some appreciation for what we have, and just as badly. (hehe)