Question on iPod, Dock, and DAC

Hey guys! I have a not-so-quick question regarding IPods, Docks, and DACs.

Back story- I’ve had a great CD player hooked up to my HT system for many years and it finally died. So I’m thinking about getting an iPod classic, dock, and DAC to replace my old CD player. I have almost 1TB worth of FLAC rips but I really only listen to a fraction of it anyways so I think 160gb should be plenty for now.

iPod- I’m getting this part for free. I happen to work for a company that has “points”. You can redeem these points for a bunch of different things- one of them being an iPod.

Issues- I’ll have to convert my FLAC to Applelossless which will be a big PIA but I’m mostly concerned about the quality. Will Applelossless still retain the FLAC “fidelity”? Will there be audio loss with the conversion?

Another Issue- The connector. It’s proprietary which sucks but I have to use it to get the most out of my lossless audio file; this kind of blends with the dock as well. I’ve been looking at the Cambridge Audio dock that looks very promising- but it costs around $300. Not a big deal seeing as I’m getting the iPod free and they would cancel each other out, but I’d prefer not to “waste” my money. (I’d actually prefer to put that $300 into the DAC to be honest. Reason below.) The other reason is the new slimmer connector on the new iPhones. I really wouldn’t mind spending $300 on a really nice dock if I knew that the connector is going to hang around for a while, but with the new connector showing up on the new i-Devices I’m left wondering if the old is getting phased out and if I should wait for the “New Classic”. Apple told me that the old style on the classic is not going any where and if it did, I could always buy a cable. The thing is- The cables are cheap and would defeat the purpose IMO.

The DAC: Not really concerned with this piece as I don’t really need it to listen to music right now. I will get one in the future when I’ve done ample research. But I do have a few questions right now.

If I forgo the dock and opt for a cable to the DAC will I experience a loss in audio quality?
Are there DACs that allow you to plug in an iPod directly? I really don’t need the “stand up function” of the dock anyways. (Looking at Cambridge Audio, Musical Fidelity, and PS Audio)
If so- Are there audiophile cables for it? Will I get the source files without going through the onboard DAC on the iPod (Like the Cambridge Audio would)? I would rather spend a few bucks on a really nice cable and put the rest of the money towards the DAC.

I guess that’s it for now. If I think of any more I’ll post them up! Thanks in advance.


CA Dock I was looking at- http://www.cambridgeaudio.com/summary.php?PID=605&Title=iD100+Digital+Dock+for+iPad+%26+iPhone



Edit: Let me know if I put this in the wrong section.

Thanks guys for the help. I got my iPod yesterday and it seems to work pretty well. I did purchase the dB Poweramp CD Ripper at about 140gb of using EAC to rip my CD's (was getting tired of 45min CD rips). The only thing that is worrisome is that everyone is talking about ALAC. I'm converting to M4a Apple Lossless via the dBpoweramp Music Converter. I've researched around and read that the M4a is just a container and it will support lossless audio. So what is ALAC? The "compression" in the M4a container?

EDIT: When I hold my mouse over the file it says: Encoder: Apple Lossless (ALAC) I guess I got it then.

The other issue I'm having is with iTunes. I can't access my account from 2006 without the serial number of an iProduct or the Credit Card number used. I never used an iProduct in 2006 with iTunes so that number is non existent. As far as the CC# is concerned- Good luck trying to find that card 6 years later that wasn't even mine. I even answered my birth-date correctly and my security question first try and they still won't unlock my account. Ugh.

EDIT: Apple fixed my account! I should have access to it in 24 hours. Even got 5 free song credits!

I think I'll purchase the dock tonight and see if I can get it by the beginning of next week.
Edited by Averywhite - 10/26/12 at 2:35pm

Equipment is Pioneer Elite receiver from about 2005, Polk Pro sub, Polk Floor Standing Speakers (They are getting replaced soon), and Monster Power Conditioner.

The more I read about the CA dock the less I want to spend $300 on it. A ton of people are giving it a bad rep for it's price tag/features.

Small example: http://www.head-fi.org/t/578721/is-the-cambridge-audio-id100-ipod-dock-any-good

Another issue I failed to bring up was the fact that I couldn't make my own power cable for the dock. I'm sure that the CA power brick that comes with it is just fine, but, I still would prefer to make my own cable. Especially if I'm going to spend $300 on the unit.

Many people are pointing towards the Pure i-20 dock. It has digital pass through so they *should* sound the same. That extra $200 that I would save would be better used to fund an even better DAC in my opinion.

http://www.pure.com/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61429

Ugh. I probably sound like a cheap ass that wants to hang onto money and never spend it

I'm going to keep reading up on these different options and keep you guys posted

Update so far:

So I sent an E-Mail to Pure asking them if my 7th Gen iPod Classic will work (They list 2009 classic but I was unsure as Apple goes by generations not years). Took them 3 days to get back to me with a conformation test they did in their lab. I bought the Pure last night and it *should* be here on the 8th.

Before that- I've been researching, researching, and researching- All roads lead to the Pure as the go-to unit for and entry level Audiophile iPod unit. A TON of people like the Wadia unit at first, but after some time, they preform some modifications to it. Kinda silly if you are spending around $400 on a dock just to turn around and pack it with "better innards". I could not find a difference between the CA dock and the Pure as far as the digital out goes. Sooo why spend the money? (Unless you need those 3 pin connectors. XLR is the correct term I believe)

The DAC on the Pure- People say it's pretty damn good for the price point including all of the options. People were mostly using headphones in the comparisons with $50 DAC's to $200 DAC's and were generally impressed. I guess I will get to hear it soon enough

Another thing I found on my quest for an "Audiophile" dock- The Krell line of docks!

http://www.amazon.com/Krell-PAPA-DOCK-Silver/dp/B001O0EFT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351982777&sr=8-1&keywords=krell

http://www.amazon.com/Krell-KID-iPod-Dock-Silver/dp/B001O0EFSS/ref=pd_sim_sbs_e_1

I mean, who doesn't want to spend $5,000 on a true iPod dock?

Back on a serious note- When I get the dock I'll be sure to let you guys know how it preforms etc etc.

DiGiCiDAL- What is a TAD line? I'm unsure what it is Also, Thank you for all of your help on this matter + rep. We will find the perfect iPod dock for our price range... Eventually LOL
Edited by Averywhite - 11/3/12 at 4:03pm

Do you have anything to back this up? I live in FL. Thunderstorms and brownouts are EXTREMELY common down here.