ipod to stereo connection

Hobbyguy
Hobbyguy Posts: 317
edited February 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
Does anybody know what is the best docking station for an ipod that provides a line level output that can be connected to a preamp. So far I have found:
http://www.macworld.com/product/ipod/232/detail.html
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/xitel-hifi-link-stereo-connection-kit-for-ipod-ipod
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2009
    Try the mini optical output to a DAC...
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    Thanks for the quick reply guys.....
    My ipod doesn't have a mini optical output.
    Those are ok options Keiko but I am looking for a line-level output which the ipod is capable.
    http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/xitel-hifi-link-stereo-connection-kit-for-ipod-ipod
    The above has RCA outputs which is better than connecting the headphone out.
    Something like:
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Escient-Fireball-FP-1-Music-Manager-with-iPod-Dock_W0QQitemZ180327224309QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item180327224309&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
    would be nice but I read that it does not work with lossless format.
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    maybe this is the way to go?
    http://www.redwineaudio.com/iMod.html
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    or would it be better to just connect my laptop to a DAC and then to my preamp? (is this even possible?)
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  • obieone
    obieone Posts: 5,077
    edited February 2009
    Have you looked at the Fatman on Audio Advisor? I know it's expensive, but it does come with an int. amp?
    FAIT.pdf 719.5K
    I refuse to argue with idiots, because people can't tell the DIFFERENCE!
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    I have....since then i have noted that ipods do not have digital out.
    Has anybody connected their laptop to a DAC?
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited February 2009
    ....read up on these..cheapest way for pc or laptop...there are reviews listed in ad

    http://cgi.ebay.com/HOTAUDIO-DAC-DESTROYER-USB-HEADPHONE-AMP-AMPLIFIER_W0QQitemZ260359346051QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260359346051&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14

    http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Personal-Audio__W0QQ_armrsZ1

    I have my pc, using a Chaintech 7.1 audio card connected by optical cord to MSB Link III dac....Sounds great. I use Asio drivers bypassing any windows audio control.....preamp then controls volume of music.

    If your laptop doesn't have a coax or digital out , you can use the usb dac.
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  • TNRabbit
    TNRabbit Posts: 2,168
    edited February 2009
    Hobbyguy wrote: »
    I have....since then i have noted that ipods do not have digital out.
    Has anybody connected their laptop to a DAC?

    IPOD has a mini-TOSLINK connector inside the headphone jack, if I'm not mistaken.
    TNRabbit
    NO Polk Audio Equipment :eek:
    Sunfire TG-IV
    Ashly 1001 Active Crossover
    Rane PEQ-15 Parametric Equalizers x 2
    Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature Seven
    Carver AL-III Speakers
    Klipsch RT-12d Subwoofer
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    ok that is very cool....my laptop does not have a toslink/spdif...so plug this into my usb port then hook this up to a preamp?
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited February 2009
    http://www.hotaudio.com/INSTRUCTIONS/DAC-DESTROYER.pdf

    reviews

    http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/hotaudio40-s-amps-242880/index24.html
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  • dee1949
    dee1949 Posts: 1,425
    edited February 2009
    ...Remember
    using ASIO drivers is great for sending to preamp If you want to use the head phone jack you would then need to use window drivers in order to control volume of your headset. No big deal. ASIO-4-all drivers.
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited February 2009
    Are you willing to spend the big bucks for the Wadia 170iTransport at $379 (plus it really needs to be sent through a good DAC) that some say will replace an audiophile grade CDP...buy it here:

    CRUTCHFIELD

    Read the Club Polk discussion here:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74140

    AudioAdvisor has several different options. The $89 Cambridge Audio iD10 looks interesting....

    http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CAID10
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

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    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited February 2009
    Reading this thread got me to thinking that I need a dock for my bedroom system, so I ordered this Onkyo DX-A2X today for $80 at J&R
    I think the best bang for the buck and RCA outputs to boot...

    Click


    image_product.height.650;width.650;modified.1210347522.ONKDSA2X.jpg

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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited February 2009
    If you don't need charging or a remote control, you can simply get a line out from the dock connector with a cable like this:

    http://www.ramelectronics.net/ipod-mp3/ipod-cables/i-extreme-ipod-docking-to-stereo-rca-cable/prodIFEPDRCA.html

    It bypasses the internal headphone amp, and I believe will give you the same analog signal that passes to the base of the typical dock systems (excluding the Wadia, which receives a digital signal). IMO, this cable is a simpler/cleaner approach, if you don't need a dock for other reasons.

    They also make a similar cable with an 1/8" plug on the amp end, which is perfect for connecting to a car's aux input.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    Very interesting reading....thanks Shack. But that thread I think has pushed me more towards using my laptop. I agree that a dedicated cd player is better than my computers hard drive at reading off an audio cd....but the convenience! I dont like keeping stacks and stacks of cds. Chris's response (the 16th post down) I think nails the coffin on cheap cd-players vs expensive ones...
    http://www.maximumpc.com/article/do_higher_mp3_bit_rates_pay_off
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    hmmmmm....all excellent choices....now for the painful task for me to decide which one...
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    Does anybody use this method to rip cds?
    http://www.maximumpc.com/article/flac
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  • adam2434
    adam2434 Posts: 995
    edited February 2009
    Yes, I use EAC to rip to FLAC, then stream the FLACs with a Squeezebox to my DAC.

    If you're thinking about going computer-based and your audio equipment is located in another room, the Squeezebox is a great option, especially if you use a nice outboard DAC with it.

    Edit: You could also use your laptop and a DAC with a USB input - there are many to choose from at various price points.
    5.1 and 2.0 ch Basement Media Room: Outlaw 975/Emotiva DC-1/Rotel RB-1582 MKII/Rotel RB-1552/Audiosource Amp 3/Polk LS90, CS400i, FX500i/Outlaw X-12, LFM-1/JVD DLA-HD250/Da-Lite 100" HCCV/Sony ES BDP/Sonos Connect. DC-1/RB-1582 MKII/Sonos Connect also feed Polk 7C in garage or Dayton IO655 on patio.
    2.1 ch Basement Gym: Denon AVR-2807/Klipsch Forte I or NHT SB2/JBL SUB 550P x 2/Chromecast Audio.
    2.0 ch Living Room: Rotel RX-1052/Emotiva DC-1/Klipsch RF-7 III/Sony ES BDP/LG 65" LED.
    2.0 ch Semi-portable: Klipsch Powergate/NHT SB3/Chromecast Audio.
    Kitchen: Sonos Play5.
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  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited February 2009
    I just went through this drill about five months ago. I bought a Phillips SJM 3151 universal remote for ipod. I bought it on Amazon. I have it hooked into my set up through my Parasound P3 pre amp. Works great.

    You might want to throw this unit into the mix of devices you are considering.
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  • SEH
    SEH Posts: 91
    edited February 2009
    TNRabbit wrote: »

    IPOD has a mini-TOSLINK connector inside the headphone jack, if I'm not mistaken.

    Macs have this, but I'm pretty sure the ipod doesn't. The Wadia would be quite pointless if getting digital from an ipod was simple.
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  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited February 2009
    The key to really good audio from computer source is the digital to analog converesion. Only high end soundcards have adequate DACs. Most people run a USB cable out to a USB DAC and then RCAs from the DAC to the preamp, integrated or receiver.

    USB DACs run the price gamut from the $30 Behringer U-Control to high end stuff costing over $5000. My DAC, see below, cost $300 new. There are some very good used DACs on Audiogon going for $500 to $750, including the Benchmark DACs.
    ____________________________________________
    Home Theater 32"LG LCD; Comcast; 7.1 Onkyo 805; Fronts: Polk M50s; Center: Polk CS2; Sides: Polk M40s; Rear: B&W LM1s; Subs: (2) Sony 12" x 100w; Samsung 1500BDP; Toshiba A-2 HD-DVDP.
    PC stereo: Viper custom PC: Windows XP; ASIO4ALL; JRiver Jukebox> Pop Pulse USB to S/PDIF conv> Monarchy DIP > Musiland MD10 DAC > Parasound 2100 pre> Aragon 4004 MKII amp> Dali Ikon6 towers; Sunfire True Sub; PSA Duet, Ultimate outlet and Noise Harvestors.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2009
    shack wrote: »
    Are you willing to spend the big bucks for the Wadia 170iTransport at $379 (plus it really needs to be sent through a good DAC) that some say will replace an audiophile grade CDP...buy it here:

    Rather than say "replace" it is probably more accurate to say "equal to an audiophile grade CDP of equivalent value". A 120GB iPod Classic is $225, the Wadia is $379, and a Benchmark Dac1 Pre is $1595 for a total of $2199.

    Obviously, the DAC is the biggest cost in this chain, and is the major item in determining the sound quality. So if you already own a DAC, and an iPod, then the Wadia is the only choice for an iPod dock if you want audiophile sound. If you just want MP3 audio then go with any cheapo dock. Even uncompressed music played through the iPod DAC is not much better than MP3 music.

    The biggest benefit of the iPod/Wadia over a single disk CD player is you can store thousands of songs on the iPod and play them continuously, either as entire albums, or randomly shuffled songs.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
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    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Lsi9
    Lsi9 Posts: 616
    edited February 2009
    It all depends on how critical your music listening will be. If you need a dock for a bedroom system (casual music listening) I think the wadia is overkill for a compressed format, but in an audiophile setting it would be warranted.

    Audio Physic Scorpio II
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    Thanks all for your very needed input. I so far will be going with my laptop and a USB DAC. I think I like this idea the best so far...looks like it won't be too cheap.
    Has anybody tried:
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1239924024&/Mhdt-labs-Paradisea-3-USB-DAC-
    it looks for good!
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    I also read that Scott Nixon makes great USB DACs
    http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2009
    Hobbyguy wrote: »
    I also read that Scott Nixon makes great USB DACs
    http://www.scott-nixon.com/dac.htm


    Other than the base level Dac1, the other models have USB inputs.
    http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/system1/digital-analog-converter/dac1-usb
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

    Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
    Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
    Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables

    Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
    Three 20 amp circuits.
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  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited February 2009
    If I had an extra $200 at the time:(, I would have bought the used Paradisea over my new Musiland MD 10. All the MHDT DACS have great reputations.

    So do the Nixons (Scott, that is;))
    ____________________________________________
    Home Theater 32"LG LCD; Comcast; 7.1 Onkyo 805; Fronts: Polk M50s; Center: Polk CS2; Sides: Polk M40s; Rear: B&W LM1s; Subs: (2) Sony 12" x 100w; Samsung 1500BDP; Toshiba A-2 HD-DVDP.
    PC stereo: Viper custom PC: Windows XP; ASIO4ALL; JRiver Jukebox> Pop Pulse USB to S/PDIF conv> Monarchy DIP > Musiland MD10 DAC > Parasound 2100 pre> Aragon 4004 MKII amp> Dali Ikon6 towers; Sunfire True Sub; PSA Duet, Ultimate outlet and Noise Harvestors.
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  • Mike21
    Mike21 Posts: 252
    edited February 2009
    Hobbyguy,

    If you are running Windows XP you should download the free ASIO4ALL driver in order to bypass the Windows KMixer.

    You should also download and try out 1 or more of the following free media players which most people prefer over WMP:

    Media Monkey
    Foobar 2000
    JRiver Jukebox.

    Computer audio is really a lot of fun.
    ____________________________________________
    Home Theater 32"LG LCD; Comcast; 7.1 Onkyo 805; Fronts: Polk M50s; Center: Polk CS2; Sides: Polk M40s; Rear: B&W LM1s; Subs: (2) Sony 12" x 100w; Samsung 1500BDP; Toshiba A-2 HD-DVDP.
    PC stereo: Viper custom PC: Windows XP; ASIO4ALL; JRiver Jukebox> Pop Pulse USB to S/PDIF conv> Monarchy DIP > Musiland MD10 DAC > Parasound 2100 pre> Aragon 4004 MKII amp> Dali Ikon6 towers; Sunfire True Sub; PSA Duet, Ultimate outlet and Noise Harvestors.
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  • Hobbyguy
    Hobbyguy Posts: 317
    edited February 2009
    It seems like the Benchmark Dac1 is proabably the way to go...but the price is more than I'm willing to spend right now. One just sold for $675 on audiogon (I always seem to miss these deals) which is what I'm willing to spend. I'll wait until I see another for this price range. Do you know if this decodes HDCD?
    .
    I had heard that Foobar was a much better media player than windows.
    Thanks for the driver ASIO4ALL...will download.
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited February 2009
    If I owned an ipod (still trying to justify one for myself) I would seriously consider the B & W Zeppelin. And I am not a huge fan of B&W, but this one is nice.
    Zeppelin
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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