[James Tanner]

From: Micah Sheveloff [mailto:wirc1@wircmedia.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 5:46 PM
To: 'James Tanner'
Subject: June Stereophile

James,

Interesting comments about the Wadia iPod dock on page 97-98 of the June Stereophile. I’d be curious to know your thoughts…

[Phil A]

My local dealer has one hooked to the BDA-1 (or it looked that way from the side of the room).  I heard it playing from the other room when I stopped by a couple of weeks back when I was passing by the store and figured I'd check on the status of my Torus RM20 (which I got Monday).  It sounded pretty good but I didn't critically listen.  I don't have an iPod (have a 30G Zune which I use in the car) so it isn't something I'm interesting in for the moment.  I've been recording WMA lossless songs (and some digital copies of movies that came with Blu-Rays) on a outboard 500G USB hard drive and compressing it for my Zune.  I have a Western Digital Media Player (have not used it yet) and will use that to output to the audio/video system.  I'm thinking about putting it the main system (which backs to the bedroom system) when I get some more stuff recorded on it.  I could stick it in the basement system where I have a Micromega DuoPro DAC and output it back upstairs to the main and bedroom systems.  I also have an 80G PS3 though as well in the basement system so I'll cross the bridge when I get to it.  I may get an iPod at some point.  Woot.com had a refurb. 30G Zune again today for $79.99.  For primary use in the car, it's an economic way to get lots of music.  My car (Honda CR-V) also has a card reader and when I fall way behind in listening at home I'll put 320bps MP3s on a compact flash card and listen on my way back and forth to work.

[James Tanner]

From: Micah Sheveloff [mailto:wirc1@wircmedia.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 5:46 PM
To: 'James Tanner'
Subject: June Stereophile

James,

Interesting comments about the Wadia iPod dock on page 97-98 of the June Stereophile. I’d be curious to know your thoughts…

Very interesting article and puts into perspective where the iPod fits.

james

[Phil A]

They had an article about 5 mos. back too:

http://stereophile.com/digitalprocessors/1008wad/

[Stu Pitt]

Are you asking us to chime in as to our thoughts on the iTransport?  If so...

2 words - Ergonomically inept.  Its remote is practically worthless, especially when compared to another product I'll name in a few minutes.  It literally was an afterthought according to one reviewer who said they initially didn't have one, then had to push back its release because Apple required one.

Due to its remote's worthlessness, you have to control the iPod from the iPod itself.  That's ok if its right next to you.  But the angle of the iPod and how it sits make using the controls a bit risky IMO.  I thought I was going to knock the iPod off and/or break the connector.

It would have been a great product if it had a functional remote like the SB Duet's or was controllable from an iPod Touch/iPhone.  The Touch makes a killer remote.  Another potential improvement could have been an on-screen display for the controls, like the Apple TV.

For less money, you're better off with an Apple TV IMO.  Its far easier to control - on TV and/or iPhone/touch, has a digital out, and does a bunch more things, and costs less.  And you don't need an iPod.  The only way it loses out is that friends can't connect their iPods to it.  But I guess they could bring over their Apple TVs 

I'm not bashing it for the sake of bashing it.  Its a great idea on paper, but fails miserably in application IMO.  The people who'll be happy with it are probably those who don't know better or the type who are anti-remote.  (I could never figure out why people want stuff that has no remote capabilities, but that's another conversation).  I have no interest in whats on my friends' iPods.  Not because the music, but because they compress the hell out of their music.  If I want to play my friends' iPods on my system, I'll buy a cheap mini to RCA cable.  There's no way a compressed file will sound good.

Just my opinions.  I'm sure others will disagree.  I've read a bunch of reviews on the iTransport, and none of them touched on controlling it.  I'm not saying it sounds bad, I just couldn't live with it due to everything else.  Its a good thing I tried it at a shop rather than order it and have to send it back.

[Stu Pitt]

Accidentally posted twice.

[James Tanner]

Are you asking us to chime in as to our thoughts on the iTransport?  If so...

2 words - Ergonomically inept.  Its remote is practically worthless, especially when compared to another product I'll name in a few minutes.  It literally was an afterthought according to one reviewer who said they initially didn't have one, then had to push back its release because Apple required one.

Due to its remote's worthlessness, you have to control the iPod from the iPod itself.  That's ok if its right next to you.  But the angle of the iPod and how it sits make using the controls a bit risky IMO.  I thought I was going to knock the iPod off and/or break the connector.

It would have been a great product if it had a functional remote like the SB Duet's or was controllable from an iPod Touch/iPhone.  The Touch makes a killer remote.  Another potential improvement could have been an on-screen display for the controls, like the Apple TV.

For less money, you're better off with an Apple TV IMO.  Its far easier to control - on TV and/or iPhone/touch, has a digital out, and does a bunch more things, and costs less.  And you don't need an iPod.  The only way it loses out is that friends can't connect their iPods to it.  But I guess they could bring over their Apple TVs 

I'm not bashing it for the sake of bashing it.  Its a great idea on paper, but fails miserably in application IMO.  The people who'll be happy with it are probably those who don't know better or the type who are anti-remote.  (I could never figure out why people want stuff that has no remote capabilities, but that's another conversation).  I have no interest in whats on my friends' iPods.  Not because the music, but because they compress the hell out of their music.  If I want to play my friends' iPods on my system, I'll buy a cheap mini to RCA cable.  There's no way a compressed file will sound good.

Just my opinions.  I'm sure others will disagree.  I've read a bunch of reviews on the iTransport, and none of them touched on controlling it.  I'm not saying it sounds bad, I just couldn't live with it due to everything else.  Its a good thing I tried it at a shop rather than order it and have to send it back.

Hi Stu,

The interesting part of the report in the June Stereophile issue is how much jitter there is.

james

[Stu Pitt]

Hi Stu,

The interesting part of the report in the June Stereophile issue is how much jitter there is.

james

I agree.  My opinion on it is that everyone praises it, yet until the June Stereophile article, no one talked about any of its limitations.  Maybe I'm the only one who hates its ergonomics, but probably not.   

[audio 1]

I have a publication called the Hi Fi Critic which is based out of England and has no advertisers.  I believe it is the December 2008 issue and they have a test report on the Wadia I-Pod dock with two different viewer perspectives.  No matter what they tried they were not impressed with the sound and it did not score well at all on their rating system.

[rabpaul]

However, the datastream appears to have fairly high jitter, which will make the Wadia's sound quality dependent on the D/A processor used.?John Atkinson

I read that Stereophile review again and with the exception of the above it was IMO a good review. Like all loyal Bryston owners, it would be nice to know how well the BDA-1 does with the iTransport. I also read that Wadia is coming out with its own DAC and look alike amp for the iTransport.

[James Tanner]

However, the datastream appears to have fairly high jitter, which will make the Wadia's sound quality dependent on the D/A processor used.?John Atkinson

I read that Stereophile review again and with the exception of the above it was IMO a good review. Like all loyal Bryston owners, it would be nice to know how well the BDA-1 does with the iTransport. I also read that Wadia is coming out with its own DAC and look alike amp for the iTransport.

Hi rabpaul,

I agree the "DOC" has a serious place in our industry. If we can move even a small number of the iPod generation towards better quality audio we all win.

The problem as I see it is that you can not eliminate jitter you can only reduce it as far as i know? So more in ...more out.

james

[rabpaul]

If we can move even a small number of the iPod generation towards better quality audio we all win.

How about a Bryston Dock + BDA-1 built in?
I know I would one without thinking twice.