Ipod Dock with direct out?????

a. for 379 don't complain about build quality. what do you expect.

b. in evaluating the wadia it seems to me if your looking for a convenient transport for your ipod that will produce near cd quality it's a nice solution.

c. the question for me is how will it sound with a highly resolving system like mine. I know that the msb sounds as good as my lector transport ie indiscernable from cd. the only jitter my lector digicode clock generator has to deal with is that produced by the digital cable. the big question is whether the wadia produces this kind of sound quality

Uclaid,

I am not sure I understand your criticism about no access to iPod library without switching mode to analog. I have no trouble going from a Playlist to e.g., Shuffle songs in my main library without switching output mode to Analog. I just did on the clickwheel as i would normally. Am I misunderstang you?

With all due respect, I think your other criticisms may be based on unreasonable expectations of what the iTransport is intended to be, and what itr could be at the selling price. It is not a full-featured music server nor will it do what your computer does. yes, the remote is limited (but works well at what it does). But I have found the iTransport does what it is intended to do very very well -- extract the digital signal from the iPod so you can run it through a higher quality DAC. I don't care where it is made or what is inside, and it looks unobtrusive and maybe even a bit handsome.

I am using a first rate digicable -- Kharma Grand Ref -- running to myy Dodson 218 DAC. I also am using a Voodoo Cable adapter attached to the IEC on the iTransport, thus enabling me to connect a LessLoss PC into my Hydra (original). I can say that after several hours listening to CD's ripped using Apple Lossless, the sound is almost indistinguishable from the original, and I can make Playlists of various songs, use the Shuffle feature and take advantage of all the other iPod options. Even on doenloads, the sound is acceptable. Yes, one could do much of this (and perhaps more) using a computer, but many of us do not want to deal with the hassle, or crashes, viruses, etc.

So for $379, I think the iTransport is a terrific piece of equipment that does exactly what it says it will do, for a price that is a fraction of what we spend on IC's and PC's, and does it extremely well. I am very happy with it.

Just another view.

Best,

Neal

I tend to agree with the gathering mob that wishes that the iPod's content could be navigated on the big screen. Hopefully, it's a Wadia design decision not to implement a typical iPod navigation interface along with digital out rather than an iPod design limitation that it won't output digital and allow access to metadata. I doubt Apple's that dumb, so Wadia gets an attaboy but no cigar.

I like the idea of digital out very much, but I don't like my iPod reduced to a Shuffle. Sign me up for the model 180, some day.

I like the idea of digital out very much, but I don't like my iPod reduced to a Shuffle.

Neither would I and I am glad it is not.

I don't know if you are talking about an external screen, but I can navigate my iPod while docked on the iTransport just as I can undocked. To say it clearer, so far I can navigate and view everything on the iPod's screen absolutely the same, whether docked or undocked.

If I misinterpreted your comments, I apologize.

No, I understand Brian. The difference in my case is that I sit 12-ish feet from my equipment and I don't have a reasonable way to bring the iTransport closer to my listening position. I'm certain I can use my iPod when it is docked, but as an earlier post mentioned, somewhat like how I would use a turntable.

On the other hand, there is a very reasonable argument that it is stupid to fire up a plasma display and generate all that heat and noise just to pick songs.

Maybe I just need to make better playlists. I use my iPod in my car, and I have the old Alpine interface that is not the greatest for finding a specific track. So I've had to rely on good playlists to avoid bouncing on the next track button. I suppose using this iTransport would be pretty much the same: pick a playlist, go sit over there, hit the next track button when the mood hits me.

But on the other hand, I choose music from the PCs in my house using my Xbox 360 and I wish I could have that interface to tinker around in my collection when that mood hits me.