[kevs]

I just got first i pod, and while it sounds terrific with earbuds, on home stereo, the music is not as good as an original cd. The volume and presence is weak. (anyone else notice this?) I'm wondering, has any of the major electronic companies designed a home unit mp3 player that has wattage and circuity to sound good on home system? I don't mean playing cd's with mp3s file on them -- I mean a dedicated mp3 home unit that would accept the files direct.

I'm also looking for recommendation of where to buy cd labels en masse and recommendations of good cd label software for itunes. thanks!!!!!!

[Axo1ot1]

if it is a 3G or 4G iPod you can use the line out on the back of the docking station to get better quality sound.

[kevs]

Axo:
thanks, you know the sound was so bad, even at no compression, I did not even want to test that out, but I did and you are right, the sound was much better. And why is that? why would the sound be better from the dock than the ipod? (not that Apple would print it in the users guide)...

But it was still no where near cd quality. Again this is on home unit. Hence, for playing at home I think I'm going to stick to my mini discs, which sound exactly like original cd's -- way better than from i pod.

And I'm not even a sound snob! I'm ripping my collection at 128!

PS:
let me know if you can answer some of those other questions I asked in my post. thanks!

[zigzag]

Originally posted by kevs:
I'm also looking for recommendation of where to buy cd labels en masse and recommendations of good cd label software for itunes. thanks!!!!!!

I use the Avery AfterBurner system because the labels cover the whole disc, and the applicator doesn't leave bubbles under the labels.

There's also this kit for OS X:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...MzL/3.3.0.5.10

But they're all pretty much the same.

[k_munic]

Originally posted by kevs:
I just got first i pod, and while it sounds terrific with earbuds, on home stereo, the music is not as good as an original cd. The volume and presence is weak. (anyone else notice this?) I'm wondering, has any of the major electronic companies designed a home unit mp3 player that has wattage and circuity to sound good on home system? I don't mean playing cd's with mp3s file on them -- I mean a dedicated mp3 home unit that would accept the files direct.

I'm also looking for recommendation of where to buy cd labels en masse and recommendations of good cd label software for itunes. thanks!!!!!!

question is: How do you connect your iPod to your stereo?

normally, your system has a "line in" - this needs special specifications of input, e.g. you cannot connect the headphone out to this line in! (well, you can, but then the "volume" on your iPod is of paramount importance - too weak - bad sound, too much - killing your home system) - If you connect your iPod to the goo' ol' "turntable in", the signal from the iPod is too weak, to get a clear sound...

connecting sound devices is a science of its own

so, finally: has your iPod a "real" line out, or is is it the headphone jack you try to use as a connection to your soundsystem?
where do you plug in into your stereo?

and for gods sake. what kind of cable do you use? is it meant for connecting sound devices...?

so many questions, too many answers

[zigzag]

Here's another CD label app for Macs:

http://www.disclabel.com/

I haven't checked this myself but if the iPod sounds better from the dock output than from the headphone output, it might be because the headphone output employs an amplifier in order to power the headphones, while the dock might be a straight "line level" out (I don't know this for a fact, I'm just surmising).

From the headphone out, the headphone amp would be interacting with your larger amp and could cause anomalies. You would want to turn the iPod volume up to its limit, then control your speaker volume from the larger amp (you might have had the iPod turned down when you first tried it). This is the same thing that happens when you hook an iPod up to a car stereo from the headphone out. Just be careful the next time you use the headphones so you don't blow out your eardrums.

Again, I'm not sure if the dock out is a line level out, but it would make sense and would explain the difference in sound quality. You can test this by hooking the dock up and adjusting the iPod's volume - if it makes no difference, it's a line level out. In other words, it's a pure analog signal with no extra amplification.

As for comparing to CDs, assuming the iPod is functioning properly, you need to get them very close in volume - like within 0.15 dB - and do the test blind to make a meaningful comparison. More volume difference than that can trick you into thinking one is better than the other - this is an old hi-fi salesman trick. And if you're not doing the test blind, you can't really be objective about it. I'm not trying to make life difficult for you, it's just science. Have fun.

[kevs]

Zig Zag: Where is the url for the Avery afterburner? Also the apple url you left is not working, it goes to a page that says, sorry.....

I saw disclabler on version tracker. Which do you use, the Avery or disclabler? Have you heard of Uncover it? It's on version tracker and is even less money.

Even with volume adjustment, a song at no compression from line out on i pod sounds way inferior that original cd -- do a test let me know what you think.

k munic:
I connecting from the line out of back of dock that xo recommended with expensive monster cable at Apple store into rca holes for an available free tape deck. Sound is listen-able ok, but way below par compared to an original cd, even at no compression.

Lastly:
Any place to buy bulk cd labels? recommendations?
Also, does a dedicated mp3 player exist for home. I don't see them being made by Sony/Panasonic etc. Why not? thanks!

[zigzag]

Just do a Google search for Avery and it should come up. As for the Apple site, go there and look under Store>Third Party Software> Creative/Home and scroll to the bottom.

As for bulk labels, do a Google search for "CD labels bulk" and you'll get a bunch of suppliers. Note that the AfterBurner system uses labels that cover the whole cd (except of course for the hole in the center).

I've only used AfterBurner so I can't say how it compares, only that it seems to work well enough. I've gotten two of their kits for free after rebate - keep an eye out for promotions.

[zigzag]

Originally posted by kevs:
I connecting from the line out of back of dock that xo recommended with expensive monster cable at Apple store into rca holes for an available free tape deck.

Oh yeah - don't waste your money on expensive cables. Get a mini-to-RCA cable at Radio Shack for $5-10, works just as well.

[bluejam]

Yeah, I just have cheapies from Radio shack and it sounds great. I have yet to try the line out from the dock and can't wait. It already sounds close to CD enough to me just going out from the headphone jack. I have mine input to the CD RCA inputs of my Marantz reciever( I sold my CD recorder since I got the iPod). Also I encode at 192bps. Sounds as though you have a problem. Try other inputs at the reciever and see what happens. I consider myself somewhat of an audiophile and I think AAC is acceptible sound quality for the amzing convenience. Good luck and keep us posted.

[kevs]

Thanks, Yeah I got the monster cable from Apple $30, and you are right, it's a rip off.

I'm going to try other outputs from receiver and see what happens. I have low expectations on that.

Why you have 2 after burner kits? is that advantageous?

I'll call Avery for more details, but I assume that afterburner software makes a label from i tunes playlist like disclabler says it does?

Other cd labels don't cover whole disc, and cause bubbles and other headaches? Avery labels are most expensive of course

[kevs]

Bluejam:
Do you still have cd player?
If so (and this goes out to others too)...
Que up a high quality remastered song from your i pod. Then que up the same song from an original cd on the cd player and hit play on both units at the same time. Then switch back and forth. That's the test.

I hear hear humongous difference so far -- although I'm going to test other outputs and see what happens.

The i pod sounds ok from the line out from dock -- but still way inferior to a cd playing on a cd player -- perhaps a cd player or md player as well are designed with more wattage etc for home use.

[rupis33]

I am an audio engineer/DJ, and I just got an iPod, i have been slowly transfering all of my music collection to my iPod. I too have not been happy with the sound quality. First,, I am using AAC as my importing file type at 192 bitrate. Some of the cd's that I transfer sound distorted when played back in the iPod. And god help me if I try and use any of the EQ settings, every song distorts when I use the EQ. I have tried importing to AIFF files and then transfering to AAC, but it sounds the same. As you say,, with no EQ, the sound is ok, but doesn't compare to CD. The whole purpose of the iPod was to be able to have access to my entire music collection on a too close to tell the difference formatt, well I can hear a big difference. Would love to hear others stories and ideas on how to get the best quality sound into my iPod.

Luke

[zigzag]

Originally posted by kevs:
Thanks, Yeah I got the monster cable from Apple $30, and you are right, it's a rip off.

I'm going to try other outputs from receiver and see what happens. I have low expectations on that.

Why you have 2 after burner kits? is that advantageous?

I'll call Avery for more details, but I assume that afterburner software makes a label from i tunes playlist like disclabler says it does?

Other cd labels don't cover whole disc, and cause bubbles and other headaches? Avery labels are most expensive of course

I have extra Afterburner kits because they were free (after rebate) and I figured it was worth getting them for the included labels. And yeah, their labels are more expensive because they cover the whole disc and also come in different varieties (glossy, clear, etc.).

Most other labels don't cover the whole disc - they usually leave a bigger hole in the center, so there's less room to print on. As for bubbles, I've never used the other kits so I can't speak from personal experience, but people have complained about it from time to time, and Avery makes a big deal about it in their marketing. But I can't say if it's a real problem or not.

I don't know if the Avery kit can print directly from iTunes, but I doubt it because I don't see that feature mentioned anywhere. Sounds like a good idea.

Frankly, my plan is to buy a CD/photo printer next year - much better than paper labels. Epson already has one out, and Canon is coming out with one.

[kevs]

I called Avery that they dont deal with i tunes. so Disclabler wins in this regard. In fact Avery said their software may not work in OS 10.2, but in any case, disclaber is so much more mac oriented.

Disclabler says the neato labels are good. (neato.com) I may e mail for more info.

I just went to Epson site, but could not find a cd printer? How would that work? What are pros to that, price??thanks!

[zigzag]

The Epson 900 and 960 print directly onto CDs/DVDs, only $200 and you get a great photo printer in the bargain. I haven't used one but it makes a lot of sense - paper labels are fussy, you have to make sure they're centered on the disc, they can muck up players, etc. And direct-printing looks a lot classier. The only drawback is that printable CDs cost more, but I only make labels for special projects anyway.

That disclabel software sounds good, though - I'd probably get that if I were to get new labeling software. Being able to import playlists directly from iTunes seems like a nice feature. In fact, it might be nice software to have even if you use a CD printer.

[kevs]

zig:
having to buy special cdrs -- it's a bit much. Also have no room now for new printer. Have any labels really screwed up machines?

Anyway, in my case looks I like wont need labels. I have all these cdrs with just track names (came from analog md's) and I just discovered that if put cd into i tunes you can then re-name tracks of that cdr and it will stick -- so now I have that permanent record of songs/artists did not have before. Just don't know if it will stick on other players, need to test.

Another question about the line out issue of i pod/dock. No question about it, that line out of dock sounds much better. But for car use, what to do? I don't want to put a dock in my car, and it seems that the cassette converters have a normal mini plug on the end. Does anyone make a cassette converter with the thick white piece that goes into bottom of the i pod, and would that be same as a line out of the dock? -- or is there something unique, perhaps in the dock, that improves the sound?

[zigzag]

Originally posted by kevs:
zig:
having to buy special cdrs -- it's a bit much. Also have no room now for new printer. Have any labels really screwed up machines?

It hasn't happened to me but I haven't made that many. I've heard that if they aren't centered properly etc. they can screw things up, but it might be more myth than reality. In any case, direct printing seems like a more elegant solution.

Anyway, in my case looks I like wont need labels. I have all these cdrs with just track names (came from analog md's) and I just discovered that if put cd into i tunes you can then re-name tracks of that cdr and it will stick -- so now I have that permanent record of songs/artists did not have before. Just don't know if it will stick on other players, need to test.

Most new players seem to handle CD text. You probably don't need labels. I found that it was fun to make them at first but once the novelty wore off I went back to plain old black markers.

Another question about the line out issue of i pod/dock. No question about it, that line out of dock sounds much better. But for car use, what to do? I don't want to put a dock in my car, and it seems that the cassette converters have a normal mini plug on the end. Does anyone make a cassette converter with the thick white piece that goes into bottom of the i pod, and would that be same as a line out of the dock? -- or is there something unique, perhaps in the dock, that improves the sound?

I use a cassette adapter out of the headphone jack and it sounds plenty good enough for my car, which is not exactly a prime listening environment. I'm not aware of any adapters that give you a miniplug from the base of the iPod, but I could be wrong. Seems like a good idea, though - a portable version of the dock output.