Ipod sound quality not good...

[jchandler1]

When I listen to my Ipod in the car, it sounds crappy compared to CD's or the radio. Is it just that the quality of my MP3 sucks or does everyone have the same problem. Most of the stuff on my ipod is ripped from a disk and not downloaded from itunes. Does that make a difference? Thanks.

[Crowley]

I think there will be two items to look at ..

1.) The quality at which the MP3s were ripped ..

2.) I don't believe the IPOD/USB drive is amplified like the Radio or CD player is (someone else can confirm this though as I have not done this yet ...)

thanks,
Crowley

[randomquickness]

is it hooked up through the flat jack on the bottom of the ipod or headphone jack?

[vivid]

headphone jack would mean its analog straight from the ipod and susceptible to interference... My initial qu would also be what bit rate are the MP3s

[JTdrivin1]

make sure the volume on the ipod isn't turned up all the way...

[randomquickness]

when using the headphone jack on any device like that you will want the volume at about half and then adjust the audio systems volume accordingly...I am under the impression if you use the ipod interface cable this is not an issue. Anyone know for sure?

[jchandler1]

Thanks guys, I'll check out all of the above. Man I love this forum!!

JC

[EvanB85]

...yeah, playing with the level control can make a big difference, but some songs will still struggle to sound good.

[john970]

Do a search there are a few other good threads on this. The bottom jack (connector) and headphone jack are both analog. If you use the headphone jack, put the volume about 3/4 up.

You almost certainly have low quality mp3's. They should be 128kbps or higher.

[bmrgrl]

does this mean that if I burn MP3s on a CD they will sound better than if I hook an MP3 player to the AUX/USB connection?

if that is the case, that's another option I am taking off my list...:wink:

[lib]

An MP3 CD should sound exactly the same as the USB port.
Both should sound better than the AUX port.

[bmrgrl]

Originally Posted by lib

An MP3 CD should sound exactly the same as the USB port.
Both should sound better than the AUX port.

but if you have an ipod (or a Sansa like I do) don't you have to use both ports? or does the sound also go through the USB connection?

[vivid]

for an ipod the sound does not go through the USB, it comes out of the headphone outlet and is there for analog...

For a thumb drive the sound goes digitally through the UBS and is decoded at the head unit... less chance for interference...

But my guess is the OP is using a low quality MP3.

[bmrgrl]

hmmm... ok, I guess it might be a worthwhile option then. thanks for the clarifications :biggrin:

[vivid]

Ipod should give a good quality... thumb drive should be slightly better... but to be honest there should not be too much difference... And IMO its a must have... I will be getting a large thumb drive and leaving it in the car.

[bmrgrl]

thanks... appreciate all the input. I was not originally planning to get a bimmer (something a bit cheaper) and I don't drive much so I don't want to load the car... hence I just want the essentials (besides I have an older car so this car is loaded with goodies w/o even adding anything!).

it looks like sports & usb should be it :thumbup:

[vivid]

Originally Posted by bmrgrl

thanks... appreciate all the input. I was not originally planning to get a bimmer (something a bit cheaper) and I don't drive much so I don't want to load the car... hence I just want the essentials (besides I have an older car so this car is loaded with goodies w/o even adding anything!).

it looks like sports & usb should be it :thumbup:

IMO the two must have options.

[bmrgrl]

Originally Posted by Vivid

IMO the two must have options.

that's what I wanted to hear

[ChrisK]

Without getting incredibly technical, here are the basics:

The USB interface will always provide better sound of an identically ripped mp3... hands down.

The ipod interface uses the analog output of your ipod, (aka the headphone jack) for input, while the second connector on the provided cable controls your ipod.

The USB interface reads your mp3's and decodes them digitally. The car is basically acting as the ipod.

[john970]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

Without getting incredibly technical, here are the basics:

The USB interface will always provide better sound of an identically ripped mp3... hands down.

This is not true if you are comparing it to an iPod or other AUX in device. The iPod may actually provide superior performance if the head unit's DAC is inferior to the iPod DAC (very possible).

You are adding maybe 5 feet to the signal path. This is like saying speakers placed closer to the receiver sound better because the cable is shorter. The difference is completely negligible.

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by john970

This is not true if you are comparing it to an iPod or other AUX in device. The iPod may actually provide superior performance if the head unit's DAC is inferior to the iPod DAC (very possible).

You are adding maybe 5 feet to the signal path. This is like saying speakers placed closer to the receiver sound better because the cable is shorter. The difference is completely negligible.

That's not what I am saying. I am saying their is a loss in quality when you connect an amplified source (an ipod) to the cars amplifier via speaker level inputs. Their is no easy way to determine the best volume setting on your ipod that will match the cars amp input.

This is the same problem when adding an amp to a car stereo, using preamp-level connections are always cleaner and superior than using speaker level connections.

I hear the difference between my iphone and my USB drive, when playing the same exact 320k mp3.

[john970]

Originally Posted by ChrisK

That's not what I am saying. I am saying their is a loss in quality when you connect an amplified source (an ipod) to the cars amplifier via speaker level inputs. Their is no easy way to determine the best volume setting on your ipod that will match the cars amp input.

This is the same problem when adding an amp to a car stereo, using preamp-level connections are always cleaner and superior than using speaker level connections.

I hear the difference between my iphone and my USB drive, when playing the same exact 320k mp3.

iPod line out path: Decoder -> DAC -> capacitors -> amp -> h/k amp
USB path: Decoder -> DAC -> caps -> amp (may or may not be integrated into the DAC chipset) -> h/k amp

The only difference is whose DAC, caps, and initial amp stage you are using. I suggest doing a blind test with the assistance of a friend, I'd wager my 401(k) you can't tell the difference.

I haven't done the same test yet, but plan to when I get my car. The amp out stage of the ipod set to 2/3 volume is very clean. Most of them use a very high quality Wolfson DAC found in some very pricey home audio equipment. The amp, when not pushed, is likewise very good.

The analogy to other pre-amp/line level out doesn't always hold. Any digital source has to go through a decoder and a DAC and usually the DAC output must be regulated/amplified before it gets to the 1V line out specification in any case. It is for this reason that most consumer digital audio equipment has a line out that is simply a volume regulated headphone out.

Assuming your iPhone's radios were off, it is possible the iPhone DAC is inferior to the head unit and produced a noticeable reduction in audio quality, but I doubt it.