Why does iPod sound so good???

[Leolabs]

Is it the Wolfson chipsets or something else???

[I_Forgot]

Does it?

I_F

[Archwn]

Originally posted by Leolabs
Is it the Wolfson chipsets or something else???

must be the chipset.

i think it's kind of relaxing sound with no dynamic. i prefer to listen to it when i want to be relaxed.

for the rest of the time, i prefer iriver sound.

[OzMikeH]

Precisely what is good about it?
What sort of files are you using (apple lossless, mp3 at xxx bitrate)?
What do you like about the sound? Highs? Bass? vocals? volume?
What headphones are you using (makes a BIG difference)?

I ask because I am looking for a high quality portable device. I listened to an Ipod with my favourite earphones to some 320kbit MP3s and was not impressed, the amplifier had quite noticeable hiss and it had a hashy quality to the sound on some cymbals, T Fff and Sss sounds in vocals were similarly affected. I don't remember the exact model but it was a 30Gb one with a colour screen.

[sq225917]

Personally i prefer the Sony NWA 3000 over any IPOD i've heard.

Playing back Atrac+ at 392k is all but a mid-fi cd player experience.


ATRAC appears much superior to MP3 at higher codec rates,no sibiliance or cymball shimmer.

[Stuey]

OzMike, I use an iPod Video and rip tracks using AIFF format. I haven't tried ALC (Apple Lossless), but as it is I can fit about 700 songs onto the device.

I use Creative EP-630 ear buds, which I am reliably informed are identical to, and from the same factory in Japan as, the Sennheiser CX-300. I have compared the two and other than cosmetic finish to the plastic they seem identical and sound the same.

While the bass is slightly over wrought, the sound is smooth and cymbals etc. are fairly lifelike. Female voices are very good. In Australia the earbuds are a mere $32.95 from Dick Smith or Tandy stores, wheras they go for $62+ under the Sennheiser moniker.

It's certainly good enough for commuting...

Cheers

OzStuey

[mr.duck]

Originally posted by Leolabs
Is it the Wolfson chipsets or something else???

Ipod is not regarded as the best sounding MP3 player but it is not bad. I think the answer to your question is to do with the compression format of the music.

MP3 is very old, it was designed to sound like the original music as close as possible.

Newer formats like AAC and Ogg Vorbis don't do this. They are overly bright. Some people can compare the original CD or vinyl to modern lossy formats and if you ask them which sounds better, they choose the lossy compression format!

I've compared MP3 and Ogg Vorbis. Ogg is much much better (much more efficient). But at higher bit rates it is still too bright and I like to use high bit rate MP3 because it sounds more hi-fi to me. I have not compared AAC because my MP3 player doesn't support it.

[jackinnj]

It sounds so good becuz you're wearin' it at the YMCA watching some babe keep time to the musik.

[zigzagflux]

I am in process of building a preamp, so at this point do not have volume control from my CDP. I have used both sound card output and iPod directly into amplifier input in order to get volume control.

I strictly use Apple Lossless in the iPod, and like the sound. Being that it can drive headphones, I suspect it doesn't have much of an issue driving a little cable capacitance. I haven't had any complaints about the quality. Someday I can directly compare it to a CDP.

I get good stereo imaging, sweet highs, and the bonus of silent battery supply. (To my knowledge, there is no SMPS inside).

[sq225917]

unless your cd player cost the same as your ipod don't bother comparing it.

you know the outcome already.