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Being relatively new to hearing - a question - leaving storage space, functionality options and form factor aside - are all iPods created equal? Recorded from the same source will the music on a nano sound the same as music on a classic for example?
Thanks all

I don't know specifically about the current Nanos and Classics, but iPods from different models and generations do sometimes use different audio chips to process the sound. Some people thought the original shuffle was the best sounding iPod. You might be able to tell a slight difference in how the chip shapes the sound if you have a high quality source and good headphones/speakers.

1st and 2nd generation were pretty mediocre (the Archos sounded WAY better at the time, but the interface and form factor made me buy the iPod anyway).

1st-generation shuffle is indeed unsurpassed AFAIK (unparalleled bass response under load), but my 5th-generation iPod's line out gave my Cambridge Audio CD6 a run for the money on lossless material - not high-end, but definitely most acceptable.

I haven't been able to test the current crop, yet. Apple has reportedly switched audio chips as of the Classic/3G nano.