Using Ipod Line-Out

April 11, 2008 9:07 AM

I'm an old stodgy audiophile finding myself forced to resort to iPod, but I want to make the most of it. First of all, I'm looking for a solution that will allow me to use line-out audio on my ipod (5th generation), and simultaneously charge via AC. Does such a thing exist? Also, what's the standard audiophile solution for on-the-go listening? Headphones into mini-preamp into dock, I'd suppose?
posted by jimmyjimjim to Technology (9 answers total)

Dunno how they sell them now, but mine came with a dock that lets you charge while providing a line out. If yours didn't include one I bet you can pick one up. Should work too since they call their connector a Universal Connector.
posted by bmalicoat at 9:12 AM on April 11, 2008

lineout + charging: Apple has a "Universal Dock" for that. As well, you can also pick up any of the docks for the 4th generation iPod as the width of the iPods is the same (just the depth has changed)

as for portable listening, I have iPod 6G -> PocketDock portable lineout (link) -> mini-mini cable -> PA2v2 (link) -> Shure E500 (now SE530) (link)

there are loads of headphone amps out there; I recommend going to head-fi.org and asking users there (who are happy to spread the gospel) and also checking out the buy/sell fora - I've bought and sold stuff there with absolutely no problem and you can usually get an amazing deal (I got my Shures at half of retail.)

happy listening!
posted by heeeraldo at 9:29 AM on April 11, 2008

Re: your second question--for what it's worth, an iPod will drive the Audio Technica ATH-A900s. They don't get major points for portability, but they sound great, and you can wear them for several hours with no discomfort.
posted by Prospero at 9:31 AM on April 11, 2008

+1 on checking out Head-Fi. You will find thousands of hours of reading on the very question you are asking.

One thing I would highly suggest is in-ear monitors for on the go listening. As an undergrad, I would sit in the lounge during class change with my Sensaphonics, a amp, and my iPod and listen to music oblivious to the world around me.
posted by Silvertree at 10:18 AM on April 11, 2008

For a true audiophile, there are really only two things: use uncompressed audio (WAV or AIFF) and absolutely spend a couple of hundred dollars on quality headphones. I prefer in-ear noise-canceling myself, but there are other options. I'm not using a headphone amp with my UE SuperFi Pro's.
posted by monospace at 11:01 AM on April 11, 2008

Check out head-fi and realize that there is very little agreement on what is best.
There are tons of things that come into fashion for a bit and then become unpopular
so you can pick up last months flavor pretty much all the time in the for sale section.

If your looking for a portable amp this thread covers most current offerings.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f5/review-portable-amp-roundup-37-portable-amps-reviewed-compared-214588/
posted by jade east at 2:25 PM on April 11, 2008

I use Grados and I've tried them with and without a preamp; at least at the volume I find comfortable, there's no perceivable benefit to the amp. (They're 32-ohm phones and I've been led to believe pretty linear in terms of response, so they're an easy load.) I went so far as to construct one of the amps really beloved by the HeadFi crowd, using all the best low-noise components, and while it's a big improvement with higher impedence cans, on the Grados it just raised the noise floor a tiny bit.

I think the Grados are terrific, but they are "open" so they don't block out room noise, and other people sitting near you will hear what you're listening to. They are not a good choice for airplanes, or shared office spaces.
posted by Kadin2048 at 9:01 PM on April 11, 2008

I have a couple of PocketDocks (one USB, one FW) and they works great. Can use the line-out while using the USB or FW to charge.

I bought mine at first so I could use a cassette adaptor to listen in the car. Great products.
posted by terrapin at 5:35 AM on April 12, 2008

Thanks, all.

After having my mind creased by reading through the head-fi.org stuff, I finally came to the end of the yellow brick road with this thread, where people sheepishly confess that it's just too damned much crap to cart around, and are starting to just plug phones into the damned headphone jack!

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f11/back-bare-bones-portable-set-ups-241088/
posted by jimmyjimjim at 8:47 AM on April 16, 2008