MP3 player connection

Beaver 47

Hi Guys,

I'd like to know the best way to run my ipod into my stereo for best sound. I know these are generally compressed files that don't sound as good as original recordings and am getting a carver c3 preamp and carver tfm35 amp to push my SDA SRS'. Is there a dock that will uncompress these files or do I have to another do hickey? THX

rayslifecycle

This thread had an interesting product in it.
http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61285&highlight=ipod+DAC

I myself however just use a simple pair of RCA interconnects with an RCA-1/8" adapter on the end. I usually use the I-pod for parties, so SQ isn't as important as convenience.

BlueFox

Beaver 47 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I'd like to know the best way to run my ipod into my stereo for best sound. I know these are generally compressed files that don't sound as good as original recordings and am getting a carver c3 preamp and carver tfm35 amp to push my SDA SRS'. Is there a dock that will uncompress these files or do I have to another do hickey? THX

First, there is lossy compression (MP3), and lossless compression (CD quality). If you buy songs from iTunes for the iPod they are lossy, which in my mind equals useless, and a waste of money.

If you rip the songs from a CD, and put them on the iPod, then you can use either uncompressed or Apple lossless. Both formats produce the same bit-for-bit CD quality data stream, but Apple lossless uses approximately 40% less space than lossless files.

Third, the best way to get the best sound from your iPod and stereo is to use either lossless or uncompressed files, a Wadia iTransport dock, and an external DAC. The Wadia is the only dock that will extract the digital data from the iPod and allow you to feed it into a DAC. The DAC will then convert the iPod digital data into analog for your pre-amp.

The Wadia will cost you $379, and a good DAC anywhere from $400 (Cambridge-Audio DacMagic) to $5000 (Berekely Audio Alpha DAC).


The DacMagic is suppossed to equal the sound quality of the $1600 Cambridge-Audio 840C CD player, while the Berekely DAC is suppossed to be up there with the very best CD players.

Wadia:
http://www.wadia.com/products/transports/170i/

Benchmark Dac1
http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/system1/digital-analog-converter/dac1-series-overview

Cambridge-Audio DacMagic:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=CADACMAGI


Berekely:
http://www.berkeleyaudiodesign.com/

cfrizz

+1 on this method. It works just fine. Does it sound as good? Of course not, but I have music playing all day long which is what I want without having to get up & change cds.

clarknova_666 wrote: »

I myself however just use a simple pair of RCA interconnects with an RCA-1/8" adapter on the end. I usually use the I-pod for parties, so SQ isn't as important as convenience.

adam2434

BlueFox is right on regarding getting the best quality from an iPod.

If your iPod is loaded with compressed music, there's only so much you can do, unless you're willing to re-rip your collection to lossless.

One thing I generally recommend is to bypass the headphone amp to get a cleaner signal with a cable like the link below. This is about as far as I would go if you're playing compressed files.

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

cfrizz

Well that's cool, however, people like me are out of luck since I don't have an Ipod, I have a SunDisk Sansa.

adam2434 wrote: »

One thing I generally recommend is to bypass the headphone amp to get a cleaner signal with a cable like the link below. This is about as far as I would go if you're playing compressed files.

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

BlueFox

One point I forgot to mention is I read in one of the magazines I subscribe to that Bel Canto is developing an iPod dock with a built-in DAC. This would work similar to the Wadia by taking the digital data from the iPod and feeding it to the internal Bel Canto DAC, versus an external DAC with the Wadia. I think they were shooting for a release around the end of this year.

Freak When C

clarknova_666 wrote: »

I myself however just use a simple pair of RCA interconnects with an RCA-1/8" adapter on the end. I usually use the I-pod for parties, so SQ isn't as important as convenience.

I've never owned an iPod but couldn't you also connect a PC's soundcard to your stereo in the same manner?