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Wadia iTransport and Classic iPod's EQ setting

Hello,
I own a Wadia iTransport 170i, used with a 120GB iPod Classic and an outboard DAC via COAX digital cable.

When I change the EQ setting on the iPod, the sound would also changes.

To my understanding, if the iTransport takes the pure, unaltered digital signal out of the iPod (bypass the iPod's internal DAC), this digital signal should not be effected by the iPod's sound processor, but my experience proves otherwise.

Am I missing something or does the iPod processes the digital signal BEFORE it goes through its internal DAC? (That's why the digital signal extracted by the iTransport was effected by the iPod's EQ?)

Thank you very much for your forth coming explanation.
jaytea

Showing 1 response by steveaustin

steveaustin
57 posts
 
Holy Crap! You're right - I just went in and checked mine, and EQ adjustments on my iPod Classic 120GB *ARE* heard through my system. I've gloated to myself how a CD in my transport going through my CAL Alpha DAC doesn't sound as good as the same CD downloaded in Apple Lossless format into iTunes and then played from the Wadia through the same DAC. I thought I had eliminited all the variables when I did my comparisons.

This changes all that (I, too, use the 'Rock' EQ setting on my iPod when listening via my earbuds), and seems totally counterintuitive that the iPod's EQ settings would affect the 'purely' *digital* output. What's weird is I could swear that when I've used a regular docking station (like I have in my car) changes in EQ settings aren't heard then - I've previously only heard differences in EQ settings when using the headphone 'out' on the iPod.

Doh!
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