USB vs dock for iPod on Peachtree units?

The Ipod dock passes a direct digital signal, which should translate to better sound through the iPod. The USB connection is geared to hook up to a computer. The iPod connection sounds incredible in my iDecco. The iPod dock turns the iPod into a high end music server, albeit with limited remote control capabilities. If you intend to use the iPod as a transport, the iDecco is your best choice...

I can't say this for certain, but I understand that the Nova & the Decco's share the same DAC. I think that the internals are the same except for the dock and the amplifiers. I have not tried out the iPod through the USB input, but I suspect that it would sound the same as it does in the Nova. I have my iDecco connected to my mac mini through the USB. I think that your iMac would sit atop the iDecco with no problem, but it might place the dock at an inconvenient spot behind the screen...

Oh, it looks like you cannot use the decco's USB with the iPod. I got this from David Solomon's blog, he said: "The USB from iPhone, like the iPod is for input and updates. It does not have audio output from the USB. You can use the Wadia i170 which outputs digital from the iPhone and iPods though." So it looks like you need a propriatary dock to get digital audio out of the iPod & iPhone...

Yeah, I can definitely tell the difference without the tube in my system. My speaker/amp combo is very revealing of components down the line. I can easily hear the difference. The sound is brittle and etched on the highs without the tube, the midrange is a bit leaner. I use the tube section to preamp a pair of speakers in my bedroom, they are driven by the idecco's amplifier. They sound much better with the tube on. I use the DAC direct to tube preamp in the living room because it is superior to the idecco's pre. Tubes flesh out the sound in both instances...

Yes, there are a few tubes that can be swapped. I've yet to try that. There are no biasing pots, so I imagine bias is not an issue...

I have not heard the quads, but I hear that they are very revealing. In all honesty, I expect that the iDecco preamp (tube on) will really shine with either set of quads. You will not believe how well this preamp images & how beautifully smooth it sounds. My guess is that it will do something akin to what it does with my speakers...

LOL, no I don't want to go into that quagmire. I love my system despite it's limitations, and I know better than to start spouting about it's virtues... I hope I was of some help with your questions. Cheers.