A good ipod dock for an ipod classic.

If you have an iPod, then I assume you have an iTunes collection on a PC or Mac. If you also have wi-fi in your home or an ethernet outlet convenient to the audio system, you could instead get a Logitech Squeezebox Touch and bypass the iPod altogether. The Squeezebox Touch will find your digital music files residing on the same wi-fi. It can also channel any digital music services you've subscribed to.

The Squeezebox Touch costs less than the Wadia iTransport ($299 vs. $379), has a built-in 24/96 DAC, can use the internal DAC to output analog stereo headphone or R-L RCAs, or bypass the internal DAC to output SP/DIF in RCA coax or Toslink. It can accept input from wi-fi, Ethernet cable, or USB.

12-23-10: Ton1313
I have thought of that. I do have wi-fi, however I don't know if it would be convienant for me, as the only CPU's in the house are laptops.I don't have a central CPU as the hub, that could be powered on at all times. If im thinking about this the wron way, please let me know.

I have kept my laptop on all the time for 2-1/2 years, so I don't think that would be a problem. I use a USB portable hard drive (about the size of a wallet) attached to my MacBook to hold all my iTunes files.

But now that I think of it, the Squeezebox Touch has a USB port, mostly intended for plugging in a thumb drive full of music files, but I wonder if it could find the files on a portable USB hard drive plugged directly into the Squeezebox? I'd think so. The reviews I've read indicate that the Squeezebox Touch is very good at finding all the music files on your home network.

As for room/space, the Squeezebox touch is only 3"x5"x3"d. You can tuck that pretty much anywhere.

12-24-10: Ton1313
So I checked the logitech site, and it will play Apple Lossless. Johnnyb53, would you consider testing the portable HD direct to the squeezebox, and let me know if there are any differences in interface or sonics compaired to your laptop?

Actually, I don't have a Squeezebox Touch yet, though I plan to get one. I'd think an email to Logitech's customer support would clear up whether the Touch could find the music files on a directly connected USB hard drive.

Logitech's FAQ about attaching USB storage only refers to it as a "USB drive." It doesn't further delineate it as a "USB flash drive" or "USB hard drive," so even Logitech's detailed info is ambiguous on the subject.