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Using iPod Classic as music server

I finally decided to organize my music on a "server" using an iPod Classic that I got as a hand-me-down from one of my grandsons. In order to replicate music as accurately as possible I'm ripping CDs using Apples lossless CODEC. My understanding of these formats like FLAC and ALAC is that accuracy of replication is 100% and I'm finding that playback using earphones or good buds at least, seems that that is so.

However, when playing through my system, although good, playback using the iPod is not the same as when the source is the CD player. The information seems complete and obviously better than compressed versions I've heard but resolution and detail in the upper frequencies seems to have been softened.

My ability to compare these two sources is straightforward because I can have the same track playing on both sources and A/B using the source selector on the preamp. Now il get to my question.

First I need to say that the present system performs extremely well for my listening tastes so I'm not questioning the existing components. However, there are at least the 2 new issues of concern; one is the quality of the CD transport in the computer and the other is the quality of the iPod playback. I don't mean to imply that the playback from the iPod is terrible. As a matter of fact, it sounds quite good but a little softer/warmer than I prefer for critical listening.

There must be a reason why dedicated music servers are expensive and I'm assuming it has to do with reproduction quality as with other components in a system. I've never seen one so don't even know the process(es) for downloading music to them but, for several reasons, I want to pursue the use of a digital server of some kind. I'm, therefore, asking for corrections of my assumptions as well as some guidance toward making an intelligent choice.

My present system is: Shanling S-100 CD player, Peachtree Audio Nova as a preamp, Peachtree Audio 220 amp and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers.
broadstone

Showing 6 responses by broadstone

broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Lowrider, I use an iMac for ripping CDs to iTunes using Apple's lossless CODEC; from there, I sync to the iPod. For playback I'm using the inexpensive (here's where my biggest problem might be) Gigaware docking station as an experiment into the server world. Before the dock I tried using the headphone jack out to the preamp and that was pretty unacceptable.

One of the recommendations that I read was to use a DAC between the dock and the preamp and, although I have been a fan of their use, based on the deficiencies that I've experienced so far, I don't think that would help. I already have 3 DAC's which I've used in the past to attenuate or soften some of the brightness that I find uncomfortable but, because the sound I'm missing has mostly to do with detail or resolution in the upper frequencies, it seems that a DAC might exacerbate the problem.

From what I've read here, the Wadia 170i would likely be an improvement over the dock that I'm currently using and after a little more research it will likely be my next step.

I don't pretend to have the best ear in the world for judging sound quality especially where differences are subtle but, in this case, the difference in sound quality from CD to iPod are obvious even to me. Like I mentioned, though, I'm going to opt for the server approach in some form even if it's only for background listening.

I would like to reiterate that I'm in no way implying that use of the iPod as a server is not a good choice. It's just that I've been trying for over 50 years to achieve what I have now, which is a system that better suits my listening than nearly all past attempts regardless of name brand or expense. After all the time, money and effort, I want to minimize compromise as much as economically feasible.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
I ordered the i20 this afternoon and will report back after I try it out. As far as the Peachtree Nova goes, I'll keep it because it has so much latitude of use as well as having a great front end. I already gave the Gigaware dock to a friend who will use it for background music in his store.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Well, I finally got the i20 but still have nothing to report. The ad for the i20 dock lists the iPod Classic as one that it works with but fails to mention that the 60GB Classic does not support it. To evaluate it for my purpose which was to play lossless ripped and synced music files using the iPod as a music server, then, means that I'll need to buy a different iPod.

However, as a result of my more recent research I think I'm spinning my wheels if my understanding that mobile devices are limited to 64KPS is correct. If this, in fact, is the case the i20 will not be the solution to my attempt to achieve high quality reproduction and it will be relegated to a Pandora One player using my iTouch.

Before I invest in another iPod somebody please tell me that my understanding of this issue is incorrect.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Thanks, Doggiehowser. My iPod is, indeed, the 60GB model that won't work with the Pure i20 dock so I haven't yet been able to determine if the quality will be acceptable for my listening. I'll go ahead and buy another model iPod which will work with the i20; I can always use the 60 in a dock in another room.

In the meantime, a friend gave me his old first generation Apple TV which I finally got synced with my iTunes library and the sound is quite good. Because I doubt that the iPod / dock combo will be much / if any better, I may abandon the idea of using the iPod in my main listening area altogether. For that decision I need some advice. BTW, I would be interested to know what the bitrate using the Apple TV is when playing music from my iTunes library that has been synced from CD. In other words, is lossless ripping from CD a waste of disk space?

I have the upgraded Pandora One the sound quality from which is only a little better than iTunes downloadable music which is pretty bad. It serves a good purpose, though, in that it allows one to preview specific artists' music before purchasing their albums.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
I appreciate the input and if I understand the full meaning, it looks like the only way to experience CD quality sound is to use a CD. That being the case, I'll suspend further experimentation and replace my 60GB iPod with a model that will work with the Pure i20; I'll still use that or the Apple TV for background listening.
broadstone's avatar
broadstone OP
310 posts
 
Thanks, Mceljo. To explain this situation more in detail, because the digital inputs on my preamp are already populated, my connection is through a California Audio Labs Alpha DAC. I'm not really complaining about the sound that I heard using this setup with another iPod; it's just not as good as the CD player. I was simply not enough educated on the subject not to expect that it would.

I use Pandora with this setup also and the sound seems even less acceptable, but in both cases their use is so convenient that I'm willing use them for the bulk of my listening. It's not perfect but is pretty acceptable if I'm not actively scrutinizing detail.

I've recently started using the Apple TV generation one mostly for listening to all music that I've downloaded (?) to its hard drive. This is by far the most straightforward way that I've found so far to organize and play music. Once again, though, the quality seems lacking in the same way as with the ipod choices.

The bottom line is that I'm very happy with these technologies and will continue using them without complaint.
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