The iPod Classic gen 4 and 5, the iPod Mini, and the iPod Nano Nano gen 1 all have the Wolfson dac. I’m not sure about the earlier models. It would be interesting to find out if the Apple Radio Remote for the iPod Classic would work wit your dac. It takes the sound from the 30 pin connector and takes t to a radio tuner and a 3.5 mm earphone jack. According to comments from the Apple Community pages the sound coming out of the radio remote sounds better than it does from the iPods normal 3.5 port.
Glad I found your video here. I have iPod classic 5.5 and 6. I am trying to find a way to connect them to a hI FI amp. through a audio Jack . My amp has a USB port . what is the connecting cord 30 pin connector from the iPod to the usb you are using. Thank you for your video. It is quite interesting.
New to audio and hope I dont confuse you. I enjoyed your video and I bought a used Oppo HA-2 to connect to my Ipod Classic 7-Gen but wondering if it is working the same as yours or is defective. I think there are at least 4-5 ways to set this up and not sure which method gives you DAC processing improvement AND amplification. Let me ask about the methods you suggest if you would be so kind as I assume others may follow your advice and have a similar experience as I am having with the connections. At the 11:30 point in your video you discuss the 1st setup method of going from an Ipod classic 3.5mm headphone jack into Oppo 3.5mm Audio-in jack and then you suggest plugging headphones into the Oppo Headphone Jack. I could not get any sound at all this way UNTIL I realized you have to switch the ABC switch to "C" (in case anyone else is reading this) and then it worked. Am I only getting amplification with this method and not the DAC processing ? For the 2nd method (your preferred method) of plugging the 30/pin to the USB-A , setting the ABC switch to A and then plugging your headphones into the audio-in jack (instead of the Oppos headphone jack), I lost volume control on the Oppo and have to control it on the Ipod. It doesnt sound as good to me on mine so I am wondering if this is correct to get the best DAC sound processsing (but no Oppo amplification). This seems like the worst sound on mine as no amplification and the soundstage isn't as great. There is a 3rd method I found and wondered if you would agree. If you plug the 30/pin to the USB-A , set the ABC switch to "A" and then plug your headphones into the Oppo headphone jack (not the middle Audio-in jack) this seems to give both Oppo amplification/volume control and best sound to me with a much improved sound stage. Am I using the DAC processing in this method ? Would love your opinion. Thanks for turning me on to the Oppo HA-2.
The iPod 5.5 Gen were the best sounding iPods as I have two of them. That being said a hi end DAP will blow away any combination of iPod 5.5 Gen and amp or amp/DAC.
TRUE, i'd have to add that there's something simple and almost nostalgic to a 5.5 with Wolfson chip and a pair of simple head phones, good for "around town" listening (what ever that means), but if there's something new (digital recording( and well lit with proper mic location then nothing beats a Ipod 6 outputting to a OPPO HA-2 and then running from that into some serious monitor grade head phones. Makes vegging a relaxing experience. Thanks for the comment either way
So here's what I have done and or am doing. I lean towards having my music as Apple Loosless files, so I can play them in native ipod mode and get sound either up through analogue port or down via digital port, So those albums I name XXXX (Lossless), and subsequently any song in my library which isn't from a lossless source I name XXXX (MP3) now to make things even more confusing (I hope not) I will possibly follow that naming convention with a "-" (minus mark) and that is used when an album is incomplete as far as number of songs I have from / for that album. This way allows me to fill my Ipods with what I want and know instantly what i'm getting. I can listen in both apple itunes and Rockbox with the same Library. I tried keeping a duplicate library of straight FLAC files but management and synchronization became such an issue and hasle that I found myself just listening to the same music and not enjoying my entire library. Now with that i'e discussed above i'm much happier.
@@Shelka04 Also, I forgot to ask if there is a minor/major difference listening to a m4a (apple music) via OPPO HA2? I just want to know using other DAC chip (eg ESS / Burr-Brown) besides Cirrus Logic of Ipod Clasic would improve the sound quality of m4a files. Due to space constraint in Ipod, I'm leaning towards a higher BitRate but still m4a format of files. Currently, I'm using the Ipod in my car (that has an Ipod AUX input) and I can visually see the file that I'm listening. I can also select songs from the Ipod thru the steering wheel. Thats the reason why I dont want to replace it with a DAP (eg FiiO/SonyWalkman). Appreciate your reply. Cheers!
The first Shuffle, the first Nano and the iPod 4 (and i think all iPods before) have Wolfson DACs. But they are different ones. I prefer the iPod Classic 7th Gen. with an external DAC. The Fiio KA-1 is cheap and good. But i have to say, none of the iPods can drive Headphones with high Impedances. My iPod Setup is: Moondrop Aria 2 Iems, Fosi KA-1 Dongle DAC with 30-pin to USB-C Adapter and certainly the beloved iPod Classic 7th.
atb that price of 2.50 or there about ya might as well get 2. But here's the link www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003T5KXJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
thanks for the comment, I'm going to do a follow up soon, as I have some thoughs on when to run what version of what lossless file, as well as some observation on when to run RockBox versus Itunes player. Thanks for the comment
Test ... My Ipod Classic 7. work wit the OPPO SE.What i don't understand ..... i can change the Volume on the Ipod and the Oppo...But when i disconnect the Cable short by playing Music,the Volume on the Ipod is down....You can here the Clickwheel Clicks,but the Volume dont change...Is the DAC in the Ipod bypassed now?Why work the Oppo SE not by You?Thanks.
@@Shelka04 Hi,i have the OPPO HA-2SE.Use a short Hama Cable.Can find by tipping : Hama Piccolino Ipod,on .bay.Can You adjust the Volume on the IPOD,when connect with USB on the HA-2?Thanks.
Enjoyed the video haha. Can you teach an old dog like me get my music off of my iPod classic to play through my home audio system? Running a 4800 Denon avr.
sure can, AND we can keep you within the denon family so it will look like you were ahead of your time back in the day. you need this docking station: www.mercari.com/us/item/m34646286655/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&adgroup=152775497644&network=g&device=c&merchant_id=154042365&product_id=m34646286655&product_id=1932554445532&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhL6pBhDjARIsAGx8D58xACXI6E0uUVoAaEzLJTNAjtiOBTWm-ZCZhtKqMq5A9PSVOTiuh0waAhibEALw_wcB
Well that's an interesting question: Ok so first thought or question is do you have a 5 with the Wolfson chip? If you do then it's my opinion that the best sound would be via the 3.5mm head phone jack with a nice pair of head phones. That's obviously an analogue experience, but a real good one. Now if you want to go out via the 30pin connector, you 1) can't use rock box and 2) will need an external DAC to whcih you'd hook head phones into. So the question maybe needs to be how or when will you use this set up. If you're going to noodle around town with ear buds in, then the first option may be enough, BUT if you are also the kind of person who can find the time to sit alone in a quiet room and listen to a quality digital recording, then you'd want to exploit the 30pin.
@@Shelka04 5.5 MA450LL. Right now I either plug in some headphones or to a Bose speaker. I am moding a 2005 LX470 with a Mark Levinson sounds system to take AUX in and I plan on hooking it up in there. So if I can't use the 30pin with Rockbox I guess I will have to use the stock iPod OS so I would not be able to use my FLAC files. Would converting files to Apple Lossless or a high bit rate MP3 be worth it if I went to a 30 pin with AUX out? Something is telling me to just stick with the built in AUX. I plan on swapping out the battery and installing the iFlash single. All hardware I have is original including the battery which gives me 1-2 hrs but I have seen signs that it may be time to upgrade the battery while parts are still available.
@@Being_Joe let me ask you a serious but sort of nonrelated question. With as cheap as old ipod can be found for, why not go out and buy another one and mod it to meet your other need. I've got 5 ipods myself, and have one just for flac files one for throwing aorund in the car and bluetooth linking etc etc. I had been running flacs for a while but then I went to lossless apple format, that way I can run but operating systems on the same device and use the same file library.
@@Shelka04 Good point. Not really looking to collect iPods just trying go get the most out of what I have. I have looked into buying a modern HiFi player at some point. TBH I have posted my iPod for sale a couple times but always backed out. Part of that is that this iPod is a bit sentimental because it was the first "nice" thing I bought myself after college and I actually had some cash. Also, I frugal and will work things until their time has come and I can no longer justify the cost to repairs. I will have to keep a lookout for well priced iPods out there and go mod.
I love the iPod Classic 5 GiN😊
The iPod Classic gen 4 and 5, the iPod Mini, and the iPod Nano Nano gen 1 all have the Wolfson dac. I’m not sure about the earlier models.
It would be interesting to find out if the Apple Radio Remote for the iPod Classic would work wit your dac. It takes the sound from the 30 pin connector and takes t to a radio tuner and a 3.5 mm earphone jack. According to comments from the Apple Community pages the sound coming out of the radio remote sounds better than it does from the iPods normal 3.5 port.
correct, apparently 6th and 7th Gen iPod Classics use Cirrus DAC's
Glad I found your video here. I have iPod classic 5.5 and 6. I am trying to find a way to connect them to a hI FI amp. through a audio Jack . My amp has a USB port . what is the connecting cord 30 pin connector from the iPod to the usb you are using. Thank you for your video. It is quite interesting.
New to audio and hope I dont confuse you. I enjoyed your video and I bought a used Oppo HA-2 to connect to my Ipod Classic 7-Gen but wondering if it is working the same as yours or is defective. I think there are at least 4-5 ways to set this up and not sure which method gives you DAC processing improvement AND amplification. Let me ask about the methods you suggest if you would be so kind as I assume others may follow your advice and have a similar experience as I am having with the connections. At the 11:30 point in your video you discuss the 1st setup method of going from an Ipod classic 3.5mm headphone jack into Oppo 3.5mm Audio-in jack and then you suggest plugging headphones into the Oppo Headphone Jack. I could not get any sound at all this way UNTIL I realized you have to switch the ABC switch to "C" (in case anyone else is reading this) and then it worked. Am I only getting amplification with this method and not the DAC processing ?
For the 2nd method (your preferred method) of plugging the 30/pin to the USB-A , setting the ABC switch to A and then plugging your headphones into the audio-in jack (instead of the Oppos headphone jack), I lost volume control on the Oppo and have to control it on the Ipod. It doesnt sound as good to me on mine so I am wondering if this is correct to get the best DAC sound processsing (but no Oppo amplification). This seems like the worst sound on mine as no amplification and the soundstage isn't as great.
There is a 3rd method I found and wondered if you would agree. If you plug the 30/pin to the USB-A , set the ABC switch to "A" and then plug your headphones into the Oppo headphone jack (not the middle Audio-in jack) this seems to give both Oppo amplification/volume control and best sound to me with a much improved sound stage. Am I using the DAC processing in this method ? Would love your opinion. Thanks for turning me on to the Oppo HA-2.
The iPod 5.5 Gen were the best sounding iPods as I have two of them. That being said a hi end DAP will blow away any combination of iPod 5.5 Gen and amp or amp/DAC.
TRUE, i'd have to add that there's something simple and almost nostalgic to a 5.5 with Wolfson chip and a pair of simple head phones, good for "around town" listening (what ever that means), but if there's something new (digital recording( and well lit with proper mic location then nothing beats a Ipod 6 outputting to a OPPO HA-2 and then running from that into some serious monitor grade head phones. Makes vegging a relaxing experience. Thanks for the comment either way
Correct. Long ago, i modded my Wolfson Ipod with the SSD and loved it. But today, AKM dacs are godly!
@@Shelka04my thoughts exactly
Thanks for posting the video. Just wondering if you were using regular mp3 or lossless files on your ipod classic w/ the Oppo HA2? Thanks.
So here's what I have done and or am doing. I lean towards having my music as Apple Loosless files, so I can play them in native ipod mode and get sound either up through analogue port or down via digital port, So those albums I name XXXX (Lossless), and subsequently any song in my library which isn't from a lossless source I name XXXX (MP3) now to make things even more confusing (I hope not) I will possibly follow that naming convention with a "-" (minus mark) and that is used when an album is incomplete as far as number of songs I have from / for that album. This way allows me to fill my Ipods with what I want and know instantly what i'm getting. I can listen in both apple itunes and Rockbox with the same Library. I tried keeping a duplicate library of straight FLAC files but management and synchronization became such an issue and hasle that I found myself just listening to the same music and not enjoying my entire library. Now with that i'e discussed above i'm much happier.
@@Shelka04 Also, I forgot to ask if there is a minor/major difference listening to a m4a (apple music) via OPPO HA2? I just want to know using other DAC chip (eg ESS / Burr-Brown) besides Cirrus Logic of Ipod Clasic would improve the sound quality of m4a files. Due to space constraint in Ipod, I'm leaning towards a higher BitRate but still m4a format of files. Currently, I'm using the Ipod in my car (that has an Ipod AUX input) and I can visually see the file that I'm listening. I can also select songs from the Ipod thru the steering wheel. Thats the reason why I dont want to replace it with a DAP (eg FiiO/SonyWalkman). Appreciate your reply. Cheers!
Do any of the shuffles have the wolfson dac? what do you think is the best out of the shuffles?
The first Shuffle, the first Nano and the iPod 4 (and i think all iPods before) have Wolfson DACs. But they are different ones.
I prefer the iPod Classic 7th Gen. with an external DAC. The Fiio KA-1 is cheap and good. But i have to say, none of the iPods can drive Headphones with high Impedances.
My iPod Setup is: Moondrop Aria 2 Iems, Fosi KA-1 Dongle DAC with 30-pin to USB-C Adapter and certainly the beloved iPod Classic 7th.
I was scares my ipod 5th Gen was not Wolfson but apparently it has it? It sounds amazing with my Koss KPH40s.
All iPods 5/5.5 gen have wolfson and the 6/7 classic Cirrus.
Cant seem to find that wang brand 30 pin adapter anywhere. Any clues ? Cant even find something similar.
atb that price of 2.50 or there about ya might as well get 2. But here's the link www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003T5KXJQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thanks so much. Ill give it a shot.
Great video, thank you!!
thanks for the comment, I'm going to do a follow up soon, as I have some thoughs on when to run what version of what lossless file, as well as some observation on when to run RockBox versus Itunes player. Thanks for the comment
Test ... My Ipod Classic 7. work wit the OPPO SE.What i don't understand ..... i can change the Volume on the Ipod and the Oppo...But when i disconnect the Cable short by playing Music,the Volume on the Ipod is down....You can here the Clickwheel Clicks,but the Volume dont change...Is the DAC in the Ipod bypassed now?Why work the Oppo SE not by You?Thanks.
is your oppo the H2 model?
@@Shelka04 Hi,i have the OPPO HA-2SE.Use a short Hama Cable.Can find by tipping : Hama Piccolino Ipod,on .bay.Can You adjust the Volume on the IPOD,when connect with USB on the HA-2?Thanks.
HI,how is it with the Volume Control with the OPPO HA-2?Can You adjust on the IPOD and the OPPO or only on the OPPO?Thank You.
@@Shelka04
Enjoyed the video haha. Can you teach an old dog like me get my music off of my iPod classic to play through my home audio system? Running a 4800 Denon avr.
sure can, AND we can keep you within the denon family so it will look like you were ahead of your time back in the day. you need this docking station: www.mercari.com/us/item/m34646286655/?gclsrc=aw.ds&&adgroup=152775497644&network=g&device=c&merchant_id=154042365&product_id=m34646286655&product_id=1932554445532&gclid=Cj0KCQjwhL6pBhDjARIsAGx8D58xACXI6E0uUVoAaEzLJTNAjtiOBTWm-ZCZhtKqMq5A9PSVOTiuh0waAhibEALw_wcB
I have a 80GB 5th gen with Rockbox with FLAC files loaded up. Will I get better quality with a 30pin to AUX or is the built in headphone jack fine?
Well that's an interesting question: Ok so first thought or question is do you have a 5 with the Wolfson chip? If you do then it's my opinion that the best sound would be via the 3.5mm head phone jack with a nice pair of head phones. That's obviously an analogue experience, but a real good one. Now if you want to go out via the 30pin connector, you 1) can't use rock box and 2) will need an external DAC to whcih you'd hook head phones into. So the question maybe needs to be how or when will you use this set up. If you're going to noodle around town with ear buds in, then the first option may be enough, BUT if you are also the kind of person who can find the time to sit alone in a quiet room and listen to a quality digital recording, then you'd want to exploit the 30pin.
@@Shelka04 5.5 MA450LL. Right now I either plug in some headphones or to a Bose speaker. I am moding a 2005 LX470 with a Mark Levinson sounds system to take AUX in and I plan on hooking it up in there. So if I can't use the 30pin with Rockbox I guess I will have to use the stock iPod OS so I would not be able to use my FLAC files. Would converting files to Apple Lossless or a high bit rate MP3 be worth it if I went to a 30 pin with AUX out? Something is telling me to just stick with the built in AUX. I plan on swapping out the battery and installing the iFlash single. All hardware I have is original including the battery which gives me 1-2 hrs but I have seen signs that it may be time to upgrade the battery while parts are still available.
@@Being_Joe let me ask you a serious but sort of nonrelated question. With as cheap as old ipod can be found for, why not go out and buy another one and mod it to meet your other need. I've got 5 ipods myself, and have one just for flac files one for throwing aorund in the car and bluetooth linking etc etc. I had been running flacs for a while but then I went to lossless apple format, that way I can run but operating systems on the same device and use the same file library.
@@Shelka04 Good point. Not really looking to collect iPods just trying go get the most out of what I have. I have looked into buying a modern HiFi player at some point. TBH I have posted my iPod for sale a couple times but always backed out. Part of that is that this iPod is a bit sentimental because it was the first "nice" thing I bought myself after college and I actually had some cash. Also, I frugal and will work things until their time has come and I can no longer justify the cost to repairs. I will have to keep a lookout for well priced iPods out there and go mod.