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Mismatch between Voyager and iPod LOD?

Printed From: Graham Slee Hifi System Components
Category: Headphone Audio
Forum Name: Portable Headphone User
Forum Description: Technical Q&A, hints and tips
URL: https://www.hifisystemcomponents.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=560
Printed Date: 28 Mar 2024 at 9:30pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: Mismatch between Voyager and iPod LOD?
Posted By: krismusic
Subject: Mismatch between Voyager and iPod LOD?
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2009 at 10:22pm
Hi,
I recently purchased a cable with a dock connector for my iPod to Voyager. I understand from another forum that this should result in better SQ. This made sense to me as the line out should bypass the iPod's internal amp? I was very surprised to find that even with the iPod volume set to minimum, I had to turn the Voyager down. The SQ actually sounds worse to me than using the headphone out.Shocked Is this something that other users have found?



Replies:
Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 1:01am
The iPod's volume will have no effect on the output of the dock. Those who have measure the line level output via the dock report a 1 V/rms which can be quite loud specially if you use IEMs. That is why you will find that the volume on the amp is set lower to achieve the same SPL as compared w/ the headphone out of the iPod. I have used quite a variety of iPods and line out docks, the sound has always been better via the dock. What dock/cable did you get?

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Miguel


Posted By: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 7:50am
mrarroyo is right, you're bypassing the vol control circuitry and also the volume limiter (if you have a recent EU ipod).  If the sound is worse, that sounds like the dock lead is poor quality.  Also, as I've posted elsewhere on this forum, by the time it has spent a few months in and out of your coat pocket on the train, the dock lead will start to fail on you.
 
We offer a solution to the problem but this is a non-commercial community so you'll have to try to find out online what I'm talking about (or PM me!). 
Wink 


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http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level.


Posted By: krismusic
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 9:11am
Thanks for the replies guys. Smile The dock is from eBay. Seems quite nice quality, with a Neutrik jack at one end. The dock connector looks a bit suspect though.
I keep my set up in a small bag, so I would have thought that the connectors should survive.
I had already spotted the product you refer to Darren. LOL I now have a quandary. Do I buy a "Better" LOD or spend my hard earned on a very nice jack to jack? Wink Thanks again.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 4:27pm
I am quite amazed that any dock connector works at all (maybe yours Darren are OK). We bought a few different types to try and IMHO the darned things are too small to ever be a viable connector never mind a good connector - which clever git invented them?

Or in posing such a question this way could I have upset a number of fans of a certain person?

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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: krismusic
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 4:39pm
More blunt Yorkshire from Graham. LOL Graham, what is your opinion of the iPod as a source? 


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 5:02pm
Nothing but praise! John looks after our Classic and when I get to sneak a listen via the Voyager that's strapped to it, everything sounds great (for digital...). It is a constant wonder to me that it all happened this way: the idea we (a friend - he was called Steve too - and me) had in the 70s was for each album to be on something the size of a chip and when you wanted to play one you'd plug it into a socket on the amp - we should have patented it there and then!

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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 6:37pm
I'll get a plug to John to try though I'm not sure it can actually improve his taste in music, it's only a plug after all..LOL

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http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level.


Posted By: krismusic
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 6:41pm
I was luck enough to be given an 80G Classic. Don't think I would ever have bought one as the SQ has such a bad rep on the net. Straight it sounds to me, as bad as people said. amped with the Voyager via the headphone out, it sounds pretty good to me. I am hoping that an LOD will lift performance again. People over on Headfi.org seem to get on fine with their dock connectors. Russ Andrews uses a very chunky looking connector.


Posted By: Graham Slee
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 8:05pm
Originally posted by krismusic krismusic wrote:

Russ Andrews....


Moderator hat on....

Careful... Thumbs%20Down


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That none should be able to buy or sell without a smartphone and the knowledge in how to use apps


Posted By: krismusic
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 8:47pm
I do apologise. Embarrassed I should know better. Dead
You still feel that any LOD is going to give a poor connection? I presume that you checked out a few?


Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 22 Jul 2009 at 10:26pm
In my case I have tried well over 20 different dock connectors and currently I own three (one is stationary). So yes, many dock connectors sound very good.

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Miguel


Posted By: Darren/Audio Elevati
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2009 at 6:59am
..but not on the move where they break.  And the Voyager is destined to be used on the move so it needs to be reliable every day of the week.

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http://www.audioelevation.co.uk - Audio Elevation - taking your hi-fi to another level.


Posted By: mrarroyo
Date Posted: 23 Jul 2009 at 9:51pm
I acutually have used a few docks on the move w/o any problems. The ones I have used are made both in the USA and in China and have worked very nicely.

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Miguel


Posted By: Andy9672
Date Posted: 03 Sep 2009 at 9:35am
I am still waiting for someone to make a portable dock, kind if like a case/shell for the ipod but has a dock connector inside so you can get a good line out without destroying the lightweight connector on the base of the ipod.

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Solo psu1
Rega Apollo
AT W1000
Technics SL1200



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