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Replacing Nano with iPod for Best Sound

Despite the sleek, sexy design, I have decided I don't like my iPod Nano. It sounds terrible, has a wimpy amplifier, runs out of power quickly and clips offensively as the battery declines.

Perhaps I am out of date or a little old fashioned, but on reflection, I don't care if my iPod is smaller than a wristwatch, how it interfaces with tube amps and electrostatics, or whether or not I can store 50 million songs, TV shows or phone numbers.

I am not interested in sending it off to be modified for hundreds of dollars or connecting it to geeky, tweaky AC powered components on my desktop.

I don't want to "dock" it anywhere, use it in my car, take it to friends parties or fit it into the sleekest, slimmest of shirt pockets.

No, I simply want to use my iPod as a reasonably portable device - in particular when commuting and working out in the gym - while sounding as good as possible, and I dont mind if the device or my headphones are a bit clunky.

Therefore, could someone therefore please update me on the best iPod for portable use only:

* Generation V and VI or the newer "Classic" iPod?
* Which iPods can handle uncompressed or lossless best?
* Which lossless format is best for sound and battery life?
* What headphones can be driven directly and sound best?
* While remaining portable, has anyone experimented with a battery powered external amp and/or line out cable?

Thanks for ideas. I look forward to enjoying music again on an iPod.

Regards,
cwlondon

Showing 1 response by kbarkamian

kbarkamian
647 posts
 
I've got an iPod Classic. No complaints when using Apple Lossless with my Etymotic ER-6i IEMs. I can definitely hear a difference between compressed formats and lossless. I think that really depends on the quality of headphones.

I have a Ray Samuels Tommahawk portable amp and ALO cable (bypasses iPod's amp) that drive Etymotic ER4s IEMs. I don't use that combo much due to less traveling for work.

Some say the iPod Touch sounds better, but I'm not sure. It has flash memory instead of a traditional hard drive, which should sound better. But the DAC and amp may have changed. What I can tell you is that my iPhone 3GS doesn't sound as good as my Classic. Maybe due to having a phone in it. Its not a night and day difference, but its not as good.

I think the Classic has/had the Wolfson DAC. My Nano did. It had flash memory too, and sounded pretty identical to my Classic. Not sure of generations of anything except the iPhone. I got the Classic when it first got called that, and the Nano was the one before the bigger screen and video capabilities.
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