iPod, iPad, iPhone sound ?

The iPod's (and all other i stuff's) analog output is pretty lackluster, to put it nicely. A digital stream to a good DAC should definitely change that. A lot of people really like the Wadia itransport and Pure sound dock connected to DACs. They sound very good, and the quality is mostly dependent on the DAC.

I'm about to order an iStreamer for a few reasons. Going by reviews of their other stuff, it should sound very good. I haven't heard their other stuff, but several people I know and trust have nothing but great things to say about them.

It's possible that the iStreamer is the clunker in the lineup, but I doubt it. Music Direct and others have a return guarantee, so I figure it's worth trying out. I don't know anyone with one, and there's really only one review that I've seen that actually talks about its sonics.

I'll report back when I get it, if I can remember to!

I dont know what to make of all of this i "stuff". I know it's all the rage these days, but when I got my wife an i RON she got really angry with me.

A question that comes to my mind is what recording format do you use for your iPad/itunes. Apple lossless, WAV etc, the better in, the better out. That would be my first line of attacking a problem such as yours.

Mcfarland, very funny comment.

I have a Sansui 9090 with DCM Time Windows with an istreamer hooked to my ipad and I find it sounds good. I have not regretted purchasing it in the least. I liked the isteamer so much I bought another for my office system and gave a couple out as Christmas gifts this year as well. I have three other HRT dacs including one of the first models and I think they all sound great. I have a music streamer plus in my main system that I feed 24/96 high res tracks and I personally can't tell the diference (on my speakers in my room that is) between it and some DACs costing a whole lot more.

T