[james s]

Just upgraded my iPod from a 20Gb 2nd Generation to the latest 30Gb iPod video and frankly its a mixed bag..

my reasons for upgrading were to get some of the later podcasts which don't seem to play on my old 2nd gen model as well as having the photos, video podcasts and movie capability and also increased storage capacity. But my main criteria would be the SQ would at least be as good if not better than what I had with the 2nd gen model.

So i did some research and the general prognosis seems to be the latest 5th gen models have the best SQ of the iPods. On this basis, I sold my current model on eBay to part-finance a new 30Gb black iPod video (great deal from Amazon.co.uk also helped).

so like christmas coming early, I synced my iTunes library and plugged in my Shure e500's, somewhat excited.. pressed play and frankly I was underwhelmed by the SQ compared to my old model (sadly no longer with me).

to my ears, the sound in the midrange is more flat than the 2nd gen, a bit harder and not as musical. I just found the 2nd gen had more ambience (if that is the word). maybe this is progress and the sound is more accurate but I just don't find it as involving. Also there is the issue with hiss with I never got on my 2nd gen.. it was totally silent. I could live with the hiss if just sounded more 'musical'

anyhow, I decided to leave it till the next day and then played a lot more of my music, (variety of rock, pop and classical) but I came away with the same impression.

now, most tracks have been ripped from CD at 192kbps using LAME 3.91 VBR and are identical to what I used on my 2nd Gen iPod. The iTunes purchased tracks are mostly 128kbps AAC and a few at non-DRM 256kps AAC.

For both 2nd Gen and current model, I've been using the standard headphone jack with my Shure E500s.

now I'm sure there are better DAP's out there but I'm a Mac user which I guess restricts what I can sync, also I just a lot of DRM songs from iTunes and I really like the podcasts, audiobooks, photos etc that the iPod provides so I'm loathed to change my DAP.

so to cut a long-story short, by using a seperate headphone amp (thinking the Tomahawk), am I going to get the SQ I loved from my 2nd Gen back? Now I'm in the UK and to my knowledge there are no retail stores or distributors here so I'll have to order an amp / dock cable from the US without hearing it first.

I would be really interested if other people have gone from a 2nd gen to the latest model and concur with what I'm saying and / or whether a dedicated headphone amp will significantly improve things.

Thanks

James

__________________________________________________ _________

source: ipod 2nd gen (20Gb) --> ipod 5g (30gb)
cans: sony ex71 -> shure e2c -> shure e4c -> shure e5c -> shure e500pth

 

[jcx]

E500PTH Technical Specifications:

Driver type: Triple balanced armature drivers
Sensitivity: 119 dB SPL/mW
Impedance: 36 Ohm
Weight: 30g (1 oz.)
Frequency Range: 18Hz-19 kHz
Input Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8”) gold-plated stereo plug

these are in the "insanely sensitive" class of iem, likely attenuation would be more valuable for improving sound quality than amplification

similar high sensitivity:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...18&post3067418

output Cap roll off:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...5&#post3033405
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...3&#post2996863

passive eq:
http://www.linkwitzlab.com/reference_earphones.htm

.

 

[tbonner1]

I agree that the Shure E500 and UE SF 5 Pro and very efficient and sound good out of most DAP's. I am happy with the sound of the E500 directly out of my Iriver . After I have tried it through my better home amps and the same source, there was not enough improvement to justify the extra amp IMHO.

 

[bebanovich]

This is a tough one because, although amping in general won't improve your phones much, bypassing the headphone jack and using a dock line out would probably improve the sound noticeably. For that, of course, an amp would be best - although I've read that a cheaper volume control also works.

 

[Onizuka-gto]

yeah, line out will work much better.

contact member "TURBO" and give him your email, he will send you a price list of some EXCELLENT ipod lineout docks, which he makes himself, usinmg high quality stuff, for only $30+.

If you on a budge of course, if not and money no objection, get some insane quality ipod lineout from AOL, the cryo-treated series is mental, if you get any i would like to see how a $100+ ipod line fair against a good solid copper lineout

As for amping, i think you should just amp it, at leased you have more control over it, plus you got the bloody Shure 500! bloody hell mate, you might as well get the most from them, hook em up with a decent supply.

 

[james s]

Thanks everyone.

As some have pointed out, my IEMS are very sensitive. Maybe a solution is to get a good quality iPod dock connector and hook this up to an attenuator rather than an amp.

My IEMS came with a Shure inline attenuator. Not sure how good this is or whether there are better (but still portable) attenuators out there.

As the previous poster said, I'll investigate the Turbo range of docks.. seems a look cheaper than going the ALO cable / headphone amp route.

James

 

[ManAtWork]

I have the E500, and 30G 5th generation iPod, plus some hottest portable amps in my rig. I can listen how large the improvement when the E500 connected with the CORDA MOVE, the bass is deep and well controlled, the mid is warmth and transparent, the treble is airy but mellow. Whole the frequency range is extended, compared with not using any portable amp. Is it what you want?

 

[tin ears]

You would be way further ahead by avoiding low res itunes downloads and by ripping your CDs to Apple Lossless. Forget about the amp until you have done this.

 

[james s]

Tin_ears

Tis true I would get better SQ ripping in Lossless but I'm puzzled as to why a 5.5Gb iPod playing the same tunes sounds inferior, to my ears at least to my older 2nd gen ipod.

ManAtWork

Yep, my MO is to get a better SQ from a portable amp. Interesting that some people really praise the benefits of an amp with the E500's whilst others don't really think the benefits outweigh the expense.

I think I'll need to try to beg or borrow an amp first with my setup.

James