Ipod Classic 160gb audio quality? Options

[ArtMustHurt]

How's the audio quality on the Ipod Classic 160gb 7th generation?
I read some reviews saying the audio quality had gotten worse in the newest classic model(compared to the older models).

[Bullit]

If you're claiming audible differences in the iPod's DAC then let's see your ABX results.

I am claiming that the iPod classic uses a different DAC.

All ipods since the 5G have extremely good output, so it doesn't really matter which DAC is used on which model. They all perform good enough that theres no need to care which is which.

I've found the output underwhelming. Would a quality headphone pre-amp reduce the muddiness of the sound? Clear the low end and boost some of the mids I mean.

[Arnold B. Kruege...]

I've found the output underwhelming. Would a quality headphone pre-amp reduce the muddiness of the sound? Clear the low end and boost some of the mids I mean.

The output of many portable players can be on the lean side, depending on the effective sensitivity of the headphones that you are using. I have a pair of Sony MDR-V900HD headphones that are quite sensitive, and most players sound loud enough for me with them, no headphone amp needed. In contrast, I have a pair of Shure E3 IEMs, and they are pretty marginal with several of the players I've tried them with.

Any muddiness that you hear is almost certainly about how things sound when you can't turn the sound level up far enough to satisfy the needs of your partidular ears.

A quality headphone amp can raise levels substantially, and improve your listening experience. 2 that I've used with good results are the Boostaroo and the Fiio E5. I favor the latter, because it is a more modern design, but they can both work quite well. Wile there are some very expensive headphone amps out there, the technical requirents are far from rocket science. Many of them are violently overbuilt, like masonry commodes.