I do not agreee that S300i is calder sounding than 400xi. Quite on the contrary. To my ears, S300i has muh more texture and sounds warmer and more natural than 400xi.
I have never experienced problems with noise or the amp 'freeze' you are describing, although I did not attempt to connect an iPod.
I have never experienced problems with noise or the amp 'freeze' you are describing, although I did not attempt to connect an iPod.