IPod to home stereo - How to get best sound?

But what about those of us who need USB out from the dock? I DO NOT want my computer in my lsitening room, just to listen to Lossless files on my iPhone through my high-end DAC with USB (and no SPDIF) input.

I'm using a pure I 20 with an ack dac and it is a an enjoyable sound

For the best sound, I would suggest the following.

160GB AppleTV Classic (New or used). Basically an iPOD with a digital output and TV interface.

DAC: Bryston BDA-1 or Pass Lab D1.

You can control the AppleTV using the supplied remote or use the remote app on your iPhone.

If you wont the best sound use only Ipod touch last generation ! I use it with Onkyo NS-D1 digital dock!
Cheaper and better than WADIA and the sound is absolute killer !

I'm surprised no one asked what kind of music you listen to and how you listen to it. Classical, classic rock, country? Do you sit in the sweet spot or is you music on while you do other things?

Personally, I have a Wadia i170 fed via digital to a Bryston BDA-1 DAC, fed into a McIntosh MA-6900 and finally into Paradigm Reference speakers. Source is an iPOD Nano, some AIFF, some lossless. I cant tell the difference by the way, between the two. Remember, even with lossless, the best you're getting is CD quality.

Good luck. It would be good to hear what you end up deciding.