I am looking for suggestions/comments on using a iPod connected to the audio system as a digital source. Assuming the music has been stored in uncompressed format, what might be good ways to connect.

The only docking station I am aware of so far is the DLO HomeDock Deluxe with RCA outputs.

Are there better ways to connect to ones quality audio system?

Jim

iPod itself cannot output digital signal. iTune via Airport can. I have my Airport Express connected to a Benchmark DAC-1 into a Classe CA-2200 driving a pair of B&W 802. The sound is amazing. BTW, I used EAC to rip the CDs.

fulusu: I currently use Apple's lossless encoder in iTunes. Do you think that EAC is better? are there any issues with using it and can I add the songs to iTunes library after ripping with EAC? Thanks

Fulusu, EAC is only a ripping program, correct? Do you compress your files? What codec do you use. Currently I'm using windows media to rip a wave for an archive and then I batch them into FLAC for my squeezebox. It appears that EAC may be much better at error correction than WMP

I am looking for suggestions/comments on using a iPod connected to the audio system as a digital source. Assuming the music has been stored in uncompressed format, what might be good ways to connect.

The only docking station I am aware of so far is the DLO HomeDock Deluxe with RCA outputs.

Are there better ways to connect to ones quality audio system?

Jim

I have the feeling you don't necessarily mean "digital source" literally -- that is, you're not looking for a strictly digital connection between the ipod and the receiver, but rather for a way to use the ipod as a music server in a high quality audio system. Am I correct?

Users' comments at Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ELDX2W/002-5235526-6746449?ie=UTF8&redirect=true&tag=sunsinns186-20) don't rate the audio quality of the HomeDock Deluxe even at an "acceptable" level.

I have the feeling if there were a good way of getting acceptable audio from an ipod to a really good stereo system we'd have heard about it by now.

I am also very sceptical that wireless sound can be audiophile quality.

I use a Squeezebox v3 connected wirelessly to my iTunes on my PC, where all my CDs are ripped via Apple Lossless.

I use the Squeezebox's coax digital out into "cheap" Monarchy DIP Upsampler ( and anti-jitter ), outputting 24/96 into my Bel Canto Pre/Pro. My whole system has many power & cable & vibration tweaks, but I will spare those details.

Does it sound quite good ? Yes !
Does it sound close to my CD transport into the Bel Canto Pre/Pro ? No.
One immediate observation is that imaging is poor and has minimal depth.

There is a audiophile version of the Squeezebox called the Transporter but I have not read up on it much since its release to see if it is indeed "audiophile" quality.

- Andy

How much ya want to spend? :)

http://www.sound4sale.com/


No affiliation to the above product, agree with a SB setup. I too use a dedicated PC running Apple Lossless to my Ipod, and to a Squeezebox 3 to my audio system. (all "wired")

If you already have a PC/harddrive for music storage, anywhere in your home, add a wire/wireless router system. Then the Squeezebox can be place in your audio system, whereever that may be. BTW, it has a display you can actually read from across the room.



I use the Squeezebox's coax digital out into "cheap" Monarchy DIP Upsampler ( and anti-jitter ), outputting 24/96 into my Bel Canto Pre/Pro. My whole system has many power & cable & vibration tweaks, but I will spare those details.
- Andy

I’m thinking about trying one of the Scott Nixon tube DAC+ units with my SB, along with a digital EQ in the chain. The best sound I had so far was driving the Squeexebox directly into my power amp/speakers, but since have had to change things around.

You got to admit the convenience of a SB system, compared to digging though the CD bin is great! I also have a small portable laptop, that I have setup as an in-seat controller for Slimserver , but my library isn't yet big enough to require using it.

Mikeyc,

EAC is better that Apple Lossless in a sense that there are more options to 'fix' the CD, I use it to fix the DC offsets and truncate the leading and ending silence passages. I also re-nromalize the tracks that are being mastered too soft.

These wav files are converted to Apple Lossless - because wav files are converted to Apple Lossless before streaming to the Aiport Express anyway. These are bit-by-bit accurate.

The quality is better than a burned copy because burning disc is another 'mechanical' process. Any mechanical process will introduce unwanted consequences.

I am extremely happy with the sound.