[only500made]

yeap, a newbie wants to know.

*images are taken from ebay and here

1.

and

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I'm looking to get an amp and I'm quite confused on what interconnect/dock I should connect my ipod to.

Thanks

 

[meat01]

an interconnect is a universal cable that connects amps, sources and preamps to each other. A dock is a specific connection to the line out connector of a source, like an ipod. The line out bypasses the internal amp in the source.

 

[krmathis]

^ What he say.
Interconnect = universal cable to connect various components
Dock = targeted to connect a specific product to another one (ex. iPod to amplifier)

 

[Chu]

Specifically regarding the iPod:

IC = uses the integrated amp since it's normally used to drive headphones. Another device in the signal chain, and not a particularly high quality part. booooooo.

Dock = bypasses the integrated amp and letting you use your own, far superior. If this is wrong (i.e. the dock actually does use the integrated amp) please tell me!

Just keep in mind a lot of docks you see around here are meant to be used with the iMod, which modified the dock in such a way that cables for use with an iMod will not work with an iPod, and vice versa.

 

[only500made]

Yeap, I do have an ipod, so should I assume I should be looking for a dock?

 

[GUNS]

Indeed you should, try aloaudio.com for a start although they may be abit pricey for a first dock cable.

 

[only500made]

yikes, nope, I dont think I'm going up that high especially I'm just starting off with this amp business.