TC.

Appologies, I hadn't specifically highlighted the file format when stating lossless versus MP3.

TC.

All source settings in iTunes at the point of ripping and syncing along with the eq settings on the iPod are off - effectively it is 'as is' from source CD. Don't get me wrong, the standard CD player run through the bog standard speakers is not bad (you get what you pay for!), it is just that the lossless files and even the MP3's played at 192kbps sound richer than the standard CD. If someone else has an iPod with AUX line in would they mind having a go??

Wiu-Bimmer

I was not aware of this, then with this said, it should not matter which input he's using. I just assumed he had the iPod connected via the headphones jack output and into the Aux input.
I've read in another thread that having or removing those filters really did not make a difference, but I guess it always depends on who's listening.

Wiu-Bimmer

Agree, Format in which data is stored is irrelevant as long as data is the same, if this lossless format really does not looses any data when creating the files (When reading from the CD), then both sources would be identical in content. I also understand that it would all be up to the digital to analog converters. With all this said, then it appears that our $1,000+ CD headunits use, as another member put it, cheapo DACs :'(
thank you and I stand corrected.

subterFUSE

I have tested all formats of audio vs. the original CD on my Logic 7, and in my small home studio.


The differences are noticable across the spectrum.


Orignal CD is remarkably better than all.... even better than uncompressed WAV on the iPod. I blame this quality difference on the iPod itself. The iPod does not have quaity components inside (ie poor DAC, etc....) A standard CD sound so much better, that I have now ditched my iPod in the car. I'm back to using CDs again.

steveo242

I think the aux jack always sounds worse than a cd. if you were comparing the idrive system, it might be closer. Something's amiss

530xda

you cant compare an ipod to a good quality original cd (this depends on how the cd has been recorded, some bands may sound like they are recorded in a coke can whatever media you play from)

the ipod is of low quality components, which small children and fashion people just have to have for some reason. (quality doesnt matter, just paint it pink and it will be a hit)

subterFUSE

Exactly.

Plus.... a copy of any audio material is not going to sound better than the original.... Particularly when that copy has any degree of encoding done to it, lossy or lossless.

And obviously no two CDs are created equal. As the years have gone by, most professionally produced CDs have been showing a decline in recording quality.... primarily because of record labels instructing their audio engineers to compress/limit the audio signals in order to boost the RMS volume levels to make their CD sound louder than other CDs. This is a competitive marketing ploy. People, who are generally dumb and don't know an ounce about music, typically will equate loudness with quality. So if they play two different CDs in the same stereo, back-to-back, they will most likely say that the louder of the two sounds better.... even though this is most likely incorrect.

dlevi67

And don't forget: emphasise frequency extremes. Boom boom tizz tizz. Great.