[Pez]

I just have to admit something here. Probably taboo to say in these forums amongst all of those inshrined in audio-know-it-allivness. I will say it despite all of this and myself having spent a few bucks to build a mega ultra hifi. My iPhone using AAC compression and my iPad using the same sound great through my Beyerdynamic dt880. No external headphone amp, no tweaky special software, just iTunes.

Now obviously it's doesn't sound as nice as it can on my dedicated system nor is it nearly as good as a dedicated headphone rig, but it doesn't make me vomit violently or curse the heavens for such horrid sound. For what I use it for, which is listening on the go when absolute quality is not my primary goal both serve the purpose. 

Does anyone else feel this way? I've started this post so i will likely take the brunt of shout downs so don't be afraid to share your onion one way or another. 

[PhilNYC]

I have a pair of dt880 headphones that I sometimes use with my iPhone 3GS and can very easily enjoy the music.  The only difference here is that my music is stored as Apple Lossless, so it is not compressed...

[gary]

I definitely like my iPhone as a source. I had Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10's and they sounded great with the iPhone (admittedly not as good as the iMod/xin supermicro iv combo I have) but unfortunately they died on me. I have some Klipsch s4i's, they sound mediocre but luckily the iPhone has an EQ and they sound pretty good with treble boost on (a deadly sin for audiophiles, i know). I bought some Earsonics SM3's and I can't wait for them to get here Tuesday... definitely will give me a better reference to compare the SQ of my iPhone 4 vs. 3G & iMod.

Gary

[Tyson]

I use alac lossless on my iphone with a pair of custom molded sensaphonics 2xs and it sounds very good and is ultra portable.

[gary]

All my files are apple lossless. How good the iPhone is as a portable music player (and the fact that android can't play lossless at all) has kept me from switching to another phone.

gary

[Construct]

All my files are apple lossless. How good the iPhone is as a portable music player (and the fact that android can't play lossless at all) has kept me from switching to another phone.

gary

I wasn't sure if the droid could play FLAC or not...that was a big factor in deciding for me too. 
"Custom molded sensaphonics 2xs"  -Ribbed for her pleasure...
Seriously though, I was considering similar from ultimate ears.

[gary]

There was a player (droidless or something?) that was supposed to play lossless files but it didn't really work. Stuttered like crazy if I tried to do anything else with my phone and I couldn't get album art or filenames to work correctly.

Once I get my SM3's I might send out my triple.fi's for remolding, because they can fix the broken wire when they put them in the new shells. Kind of expensive, but as it is they're useless for me and basically worthless.

gary

[Russell Dawkins]

I don't blush when I say that 128 kbps mp3s still let me enjoy the music although I prefer 192 kbps or AAC.

If the music and the recording is inspired, the trifling distortion inherent in the process does not get in my way.

Once again, the music and the recording/mixing quality completely trumps other considerations for me.

In this case, headphone quality assumes the same importance as speaker quality in the equation.

[bundee1]

I don't mean to threadjack but meridian is a better app for lossless playback. It does stutter but I'm using it with a slow processor equipped doid eris. I wonder if it will run smoother with a faster sd card on a newer phone.

Back on topic, the iPod does sound much better than my eris but again maybe a different droid would sound better.

[roymail]

OK, I'm a little out of my comfort zone, being an ipod user only, but I'd like to ask a question.  After all, how else am I supposed to learn this stuff.

In what specific ways is a dedicated head phone amp/dac setup better than my ipod?

If I added some very good phones to my ipod, would that make much difference in the quality of the sound?

OK, going ahead but be gentle. 

[gary]

OK, I'm a little out of my comfort zone, being an ipod user only, but I'd like to ask a question.  After all, how else am I supposed to learn this stuff.

In what specific ways is a dedicated head phone amp/dac setup better than my ipod?

If I added some very good phones to my ipod, would that make much difference in the quality of the sound?

OK, going ahead but be gentle. 

A good digital source plus an amp and expensive headphones can sound really really good, just like high-end two channel gear sound better than a htib. The iPod or iPhone on its own is capable of pretty good sound quality though, and just investing in some decent headphones (like the head-direct.com RE-0) will really show you what it's capable of.

Gary

[saisunil]

I spend more time listening through my ipod 5.5 G (Video) than through dedicated headphone system or audiophile all in one hifiman 801 or my main system - why? It is simple to carry - has long battery life and I can put in my pocket and forget it ...
 
Since I do not have the same level of expectations from the ipod as from my main system - I just forget about tweaking and just enjoy music ...
Forget about tweaking and just enjoy music - that is something I need to do to my main system 

Cheers

[Bemopti123]

I have a confession to also make.  Most of my listening time is not with my main stereo but with a pair of Whestone 3s into what Iphone I happen to be using....within the last year that was a Iphone 3G and now it is a Iphone 4.   In the subway, with people and the noise, the access is the key to enjoyment.

BTW:  I am having much success also with the main source being a Music Streamer+ and my MacBook Pro 2009 15" playing MP3s or Lossless files all via Itunes.

[rollo]

Pez,
        If that is what gives you emotional inpact who are WE to differ. No arguement here. We all should respect your opinion. Period. ENJOY!!

charles

[Berto]

I wasn't sure if the droid could play FLAC or not...that was a big factor in deciding for me too. 
"Custom molded sensaphonics 2xs"  -Ribbed for her pleasure...
Seriously though, I was considering similar from ultimate ears.

FYI I'm readin this entire thread and replying all while listening  to the very well recorded and live (Grateful Deads) Without A Net on my Droid phone w,Android OS. And yes lossless (only files I listen too). Sounds very nice on my top of the line shure earphones as they cancel out the outside noise very well. 

Like most of us surely my main rig sounds a helluva lot better , but when all else fails I lower my standards.

[Construct]

Like most of us surely my main rig sounds a helluva lot better , but when all else fails I lower my standards.

Just like women at closing time... 

[sanjaygolf]

OK, I'm a little out of my comfort zone, being an ipod user only, but I'd like to ask a question.  After all, how else am I supposed to learn this stuff.

In what specific ways is a dedicated head phone amp/dac setup better than my ipod?

If I added some very good phones to my ipod, would that make much difference in the quality of the sound?

OK, going ahead but be gentle. 

If you're still using the stock iPod headphones then anything would be an improvement. The fact that Apple still includes them is insulting. Adding $20 headphones would greatly improve the quality. That and, if your iPod is 5.5G or earlier, adding rockbox will significantly improve the performance. Getting an amp/dac would be a greater improvement as well but then you'd have to get really good headphones as well and the costs would start add up considerably. I just felt as a portable rig it'd be too much to carry and too much an investment for just casual listening.

[saisunil]

Just to comment on how to improve sound quality from an ipod ...
 
The cost of parts used in the headphone amp is probably less than a dollar ...
 
1. Getting a line out (using line out cables - ALO sells some) from ipod to an external portable amp would do the trick ... It would be a big jump in sound quality from stock ipod.
2. Going from compressed to lossless music is an improvement in sound quality ...
3. Getting good quality in ear monitors - that isolate external sound - take it to another level
 
I benefitted a great deal doing business with headphone.com they have a lot of options and have excellent customer service ... it is like having one stop shop.

[roymail]

Guys, thanks a lot for all the help and advice.  I should have included that I do use better earphones, not the stock ear buds from Apple, which I also think are aweful.  I'm not sure of the brand, but they are similar to the older Sennheiser foam-against-the-ear phones, and they very revealing.  I don't play them at earsplitting levels, but I still can hear all the detail with good clarity.

I will check out *all the links* you guys mentioned.  Looks like some good resources there.  Hope for some improvement, but as said I do enjoy the music much more than tweaking gear.

Thanks everyone, appreciate the help!