iPod needs Digital Optical out !!
I'm sorry , it's true ! 
I have concluded that the iPod needs an optical digital out port.
I have tested the sound quality of lossless Apple encoded Cd track, through iPod inserted in a universal dock and conected to my reference system pre amp.
The same track was fed through Airtunes into a Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3 conected to the same amp, using the AE optical out and ...
BOOM !! The sound from the AE is clearly better ! No surprises there. The MF DAC is a 24 bit 92 KHz up-sampling unit. The iPod integrated DAC cannot compete with that...( although very good)
So Apple, listen up. Next Dock should have Digital Optical out same as AE, with a proper clock.
What do you think ?
I have concluded that the iPod needs an optical digital out port.
I have tested the sound quality of lossless Apple encoded Cd track, through iPod inserted in a universal dock and conected to my reference system pre amp.
The same track was fed through Airtunes into a Musical Fidelity X-DAC v3 conected to the same amp, using the AE optical out and ...
BOOM !! The sound from the AE is clearly better ! No surprises there. The MF DAC is a 24 bit 92 KHz up-sampling unit. The iPod integrated DAC cannot compete with that...( although very good)
So Apple, listen up. Next Dock should have Digital Optical out same as AE, with a proper clock.
What do you think ?
Comments
Originally posted by DanMacMan
Hook your iPod to the Xbox 360, and have it output through Toslink to your system. Sounds pretty decent.
Still using iPod DAC, sorry, but no cigar !
Originally posted by European guy
I'm sorry , it's true !
No, because tehy need higher than 128 k audio to make it worth-while .
Furthermore, I would rather see Apple R&D cook up mag safe for ipod.
Originally posted by a_greer
No, because tehy need higher than 128 k audio to make it worth-while .
Furthermore, I would rather see Apple R&D cook up mag safe for ipod.
That's a different issue.
I also agree that at least 256 kbps is needed, but I want to throw away my 1000 USD CD transport, that only feeds my 1000 US DAC anyway.
In order to do that I need Digital Out from the iPod or Dock.
That way the iPod will TRULY substitute any CD reader and kill CD music as we know it.
Besides, MagSafe is for pussies...
No, seriously, MagSafe is cool but it's not a audio feature.
I want the iPod to be the source it can be. High fidelity Stereophile gear.
Are you listening ? (sure you are
Time to spill out the results of your 10 000 USD Stereo experiments with the iPod...
I know you're out there...c'mon 8)
iPods are primarily designed for on-the-go listening more than anything else, and that doesn't benefit as much from digital outs as much as a home stereo.
Originally posted by CosmoNut
Yeah, I think the market for digital out is too limited to make it worth Apple's while.
Apple does not have to build a digital out into each iPod (but they could enhance the shine of the top-of-the-line models doing so!), they could aswell offer an "iPod HiFi Dock with optical out" or simply a cable interface that has a dock connector on one side and an optical oder electrical digital out on the other side. I think there is a market for that -- at least, I would buy one!
Originally posted by Yankeedoodle
I think there is a market for that -- at least, I would buy one!
It will capture the "other" non portable market out there.
Right now only a a Mac and Airport Express can digitally feed an high end DAC.
For everyone who as tried this, the results are very noticeable, and much better than connecting a docked iPod with a reference amp.
As a portable device, the iPod has "very good" frequency response, as various high end publications have tested this.
But since the paradigm of legal music is changing, Apple should not expect everyone to buy a MAc mini or Airport Express to enjoy the music.( does it ?)
It is very clear to me, now, that the new Mac mini is Apple's attempt to cater to high end stereo crowd. But Apple is seeing things in another way. They want to mix audio and VIDEO SIMULTANEOUSLY. Bad move ! IMHO.
Video fanatics HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH AUDIO STEREOPHILES !
STEREOPHILES HATE VIDEO !
The iPod is THE DEVICE.
PS: Why not add a conector to the Universal Dock like the one found in the HIFi and Airport Express ?? IS that very hard ???
Originally posted by European guy
But Apple is seeing things in another way. They want to mix audio and VIDEO SIMULTANEOUSLY. Bad move ! IMHO.
Video fanatics HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH AUDIO STEREOPHILES !
STEREOPHILES HATE VIDEO !
The iPod is THE DEVICE.
Don't think so... Stereophiles and videofreaks want the same thing: an optical output -- but they have different purposes for it: Audiophiles want crisp digital bitstream output to hook their iPods to a high-end DAC and videofreaks want digital surround output to hook the next gen video iPod to their home cinema equipment. So let us all live in peace!
Oh, almost forgot: Audiophiles hate video components in audio devices because they can generate humming noises (60 Hz for NTSC, 50 Hz for PAL/SECAM) and disturb clean (analogue!) audio playback. But this is true for any device with a built in display -- so those who do not want devices featuring displays and video-out ports will never buy an iPod anyway... And: if you could just get the digial bitstream signal out of the iPod and hooked it to a high-end DAC, losses caused by video components could be neglected since they would tend to zero.
Try using better (mildly sheilded, usually thicker-looking) cables and keep the cables away from areas of high EMR--electrical lines, wall outlets etc.
The iPod is not meant to run much other than headphones. I don't think optical is necessary. It'd make it bulkier and either more costly to you or less profitable for Apple (likely a mixture of both).
Personally, I've taken to use my iPod shuffle to listen to music (only when I work out) and my iPod 40 gig just to listen to DRM'd audio books I get from other people, and as a firewire HD for my work.
I lost 86 pounds in part due to my iPod. If you take it outside, use headphones, and start exercising while listening to it, you don't need optical.
Originally posted by Yankeedoodle
Don't think so... Stereophiles and videofreaks want the same thing: an optical output -- but they have different purposes for it: Audiophiles want crisp digital bitstream output to hook their iPods to a high-end DAC and videofreaks want digital surround output to hook the next gen video iPod to their home cinema equipment. So let us all live in peace!
Oh, almost forgot: Audiophiles hate video components in audio devices because they can generate humming noises (60 Hz for NTSC, 50 Hz for PAL/SECAM) and disturb clean (analogue!) audio playback. But this is true for any device with a built in display -- so those who do not want devices featuring displays and video-out ports will never buy an iPod anyway... And: if you could just get the digial bitstream signal out of the iPod and hooked it to a high-end DAC, losses caused by video components could be neglected since they would tend to zero.
Good points.
But still what you say about video scan frequencies is correct. Even with high quality DACs as soon as you get analog signal out of the DAC interference will occur.
That's why my interconnect cables (Nordost) cost more than the stereo elements.Still, I think digital out from the iPod or Dock would be great and inexpensive.
Originally posted by slughead
The DAC in the iPod is pretty good.
Try using better (mildly sheilded, usually thicker-looking) cables and keep the cables away from areas of high EMR--electrical lines, wall outlets etc.
The iPod is not meant to run much other than headphones. I don't think optical is necessary. It'd make it bulkier and either more costly to you or less profitable for Apple (likely a mixture of both).
Personally, I've taken to use my iPod shuffle to listen to music (only when I work out) and my iPod 40 gig just to listen to DRM'd audio books I get from other people, and as a firewire HD for my work.
I lost 86 pounds in part due to my iPod. If you take it outside, use headphones, and start exercising while listening to it, you don't need optical.
My question is : Why would I buy a 1000 USD Cd transport ( with no DACs) when I can have my iPod spit out digital into my DAC component.
I know the iPod is supposed to be portable and not replace the CD transport. But , why not ? I think that's de Apple way...
Originally posted by European guy
My question is : Why would I buy a 1000 USD Cd transport ( with no DACs) when I can have my iPod spit out digital into my DAC component.
I know the iPod is supposed to be portable and not replace the CD transport. But , why not ? I think that's de Apple way...
I know quite some audiophiles that would run out to buy an iPod if only it had a digital out... Well, actually a digital-out dock might be okay, too...
But, as you can see, we are entering new aereas of customers here. Steve has allegedly ditched his entire high-end stereo for an iPod HiFi, so why shouldn't we ditch at least our CD drives for a way cooler iPod! (Never mind MP3 and AAC, but of course, we would only use Apples lossless compression codec...)
Originally posted by Yankeedoodle
I know quite some audiophiles that would run out to buy an iPod if only it had a digital out... Well, actually a digital-out dock might be okay, too...
But, as you can see, we are entering new aereas of customers here. Steve has allegedly ditched his entire high-end stereo for an iPod HiFi, so why shouldn't we ditch at least our CD drives for a way cooler iPod! (Never mind MP3 and AAC, but of course, we would only use Apples lossless compression codec...)
Precisely !
I bet Steve only threw out his walkman ! ;-)
BTW: Every other crap Walkman has digital out. iPod should have one too.
I'm doing this :
So, correct me if I'm wrong, the iPod is the only NON-audiophile item in Apple's lineup ??
Doesn't make any sense...
We need digital out port in the iPod, same as ALL OTHER APPLE gear !!!
Originally posted by European guy
Just realized mac mini has digital out, too.
So, correct me if I'm wrong, the iPod is the only NON-audiophile item in Apple's lineup ??
Doesn't make any sense...
We need digital out port in the iPod, same as ALL OTHER APPLE gear !!!
Bump ?