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iPod: Questions and Options

Well, with rumors floating around of a new 60GB iPod due in a couple months, I pulled the trigger this week on a current 4th generation 40GB click wheel model. I'm really enjoying the ease of use and simple yet elegant [as always] Apple industrial design.

I also ordered a Dension ice>Link v1.1 car interface for my '99 BMW M3 which sould be arriving soon.

http://www.densionusa.com/x/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=375&Itemid=79

I have a few questions however for those iPod users with more experience.

1. Which earphones/headphones are you enjoying with the iPod?
I was using a pair of Grado SR60s at work with my Sony Discman and iTunes on my G4 Mac, but they sound dull and closed in with the iPod. I feel more satisfied with the cheap little earbuds that come with the iPod. The Grados seem to tame the digital nasties from my Discman and do well with my iTunes, but they may be too dull for the iPod. Any suggestions? Etymotics or Shure earphones? What about headphones?

2. What does the "Sound Check" function on the iPod and in iTunes do?
It's "off" on my iPod, but I have it "on" with iTunes when importing songs.

3. Which compression scheme do you like?
The first group of songs I imported into iTunes I did with the AAC Encoder set to 320kbps. The last batch I imported using the Apple Lossless Encoder. I've yet to compare the same songs side by side, but I was wondering what people thought.

4. Using it as a digital source in a 2-channel system
I bought a Monster earphone-to-stereo RCA jack so I can play it through my 2 channel system at home. What settings do you people use when playing it this way? EQ "off"? What about the iPod volume? Should I keep it at one setting and adjust the master volume through my preamp? Again, what about "Sound Check? Any other cable options other than the Monster?

Thanks for any suggestions!
gunbei
kennyt
1,226 posts
 
All good questions, congrats on the new iPod, I'm personally waiting for the optical connector that is on the Airport Express to come out on an iPod before I buy my fourth (already have a 1G 10GB, 2G 20GB, and a new mini for the wife)

1) I use mine for flying, so I use the Sony MDR-MC11. Not great, but not too bad, and they do an excellent job cutting out the drone of the engine and allow me to listen at a much lower volume.

2) Sound Check is designed to keep the volume the same or at least similar between songs.... it helps in this regard, somewhat.

3) I have most of my music in MP3 @ 192, all the newer stuff is in AAC same rate. When I do buy more HD space, I'll need to decide if Apple losslesss is as good as native before I reinput all my music.....to be fired to Airport Expressed around the house...which hopefully Apple will soom allow you to send music to more than one at a time.....

4) I have always found the minijack-->RCA sound to be weak at best, maybe it's just the system showing the loss in the encryption, and a relatively low speed.... this is why I'm holding off to see if they come out with the optical digital jack (Which is on the new iMac...hopefully it will come out soon...)

Love the click wheel......in the mean time, enjoy your new toy! I love mine, there's nothing like having hundreds of disks with you on a long flight! You can always find something to listen to.

Ken
brooks
55 posts
 
Shure E3c's and Apple Lossless. Enjoy.
musicman159
46 posts
 
I have a 40GB iPod.
I am using a pair of Sennheiser HD25. They sound incredible! You maybe able to find them new in the Web for around $180. http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-SEN-HD25--brand-240--src-D0401IN0HAMS0000.html

I also use my iPod going direct to my Threshold amplifier in my bedroom. I am using a cable that we developed for it in our company (www.slivercircleaudio.com). I can send you a picture of it if you want. I was using a gold plated cable from RadioShack but there is no comparision with ours.
nystereo
4 posts
 
I use my Ipod in my main 2 channel system and the sound is very impressive.
I also use the Audioquest Copperhead cable.
I have a great redbook cd player which for now is much better, but there is a limit on "hardware technology" at some point.
Apple technology is amazing.
I believe that the future will be better software which will result in higher quality sound.
Each and every software upgrade will get this format closer to audiophile quality.
However, I still listen to vinyl for critical listening since vinyl is far and away better than any digital format.
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