I pod Interface VS Burnt CD's

[sk456]

Hi All,

I was wondering what would be the better option SQ wise:

Whether to use a I pod Interface with my Blau HU or by simply burning the music as WAV files onto Cd-r's. I would assume that the music on my Ipod are of fairly good bit rates.

[low_bass_makker]

I would consider the Ipod as it is a one time investment no need for burning cds also one can carry all of the music collection if one has a HDD wala model....and music at good bit rates sounds good in the IPOD.....and one more thing for normal car listing I would go for a IPOD.....as there are lots of noise genration factor in a car....but will auditing the system one can keep fews cds for the job.....

[Sam Kapasi]

If you are going to convert MP3 back into WAV files, that is a pointless exercise. If you are playing original uncompressed music, it will sound the best.

If your music is already in MP3, then the iPod is your best bet. I generally use 256Kbps VBR MP3s. Navin would not touch anything below 320kbps with LAME.

[tsk1979]

This september Lame 3.97 came out. It gives amazing quality at around 290kbps VBR for most music.

[Sam Kapasi]

Frankly, for my car, I use itunes to rip my cds with 256 VBR and I am most pleased with the result. It's not as good as a CDDA but quite nice.

[speedzak]

I'll prefer Ipod if it's MP3. And have a collection of nice audio cds for that audiophile listening tastes. For the rest, it's always better to have an Ipod or equivalent Multi format player with a huge HDD to do the job.

[esteem_lover]

i simply prefer the cdda over anything else. mp3 makes the sound seem too rich, at least thats what i feel. of course the bane of carrying CDs. i have a 10 cd changer to take care of that, a little.

Also i have a DVD player that can play 9.4 GB of music (compressed), which is more than i require for any trip. i can have a max of 10 DVDs to take care of till the next decade, i hope. i am still looking for the need to get myself an ipod. can anyone think of any, to put my anxieties to rest ?

[jash]

As every one said, IPOD should be good enough. It's very important that you use either Aux or IPOD adapters to connect to the HU. Other cheaper interfaces (FM, Cassette) does not provide good quality, I have experienced the cassette interface.

I am using Pioneer HU with IPOD adapter ([SIZE=-1]CD-IB100) and it's very good.[/SIZE]

[hydrashok]

I'm test driving my iPod via aux-in since 2 days back. Tried a proprietary Blau interface. Used it for an hour and decided it was not worth it -- navigation wise. SQ-wise it was as good as a the MP3 CDs I rip & burn myself. No loss of quality whatsoever from aux-in either. I'm a 256 kbps guy too. Rip from iTunes.

The only hassle is taking the iPod along with you when you go for a drive, and then taking it out along with you when you lock the car. And taking the iPod back with you when you're back home. Maybe I'll swith to a H-K D+P in a coupla months and hide the iPod away semi-permanently somewhere in the car so I can leave it there and take it out just to update my music collection. In Jan 2007 I guess the true video iPod should be out (it is rumoured so) and I will be looking to move from my 4th Gen iPod, so it can stay permanently in the car.

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

Maybe I'll swith to a H-K D+P in a coupla months and hide the iPod away semi-permanently somewhere in the car so I can leave it there and take it out just to update my music collection. .

I had a 4GB mini before i got a 30gig video iPod. What i do now is that i hide my 4 GB mini in the car and once a week i take it up to my cabin (where i keep my dual 200GB HDDs) and update it with some new stuff and bring it back. I, ofcourse, do have a D+P... (naturally, lol)
Glad to see another iTunes 256 VBR walla here. It was getting a bit lonely with both legs, what with all these LAME people here. (OK I know that's a LAME joke)

[abhibh]

512 MB ipod shuffle is costing me 4600 + vat here (Prices by Music World). Quiet costly i must say. Though i found a alternative thnx to viper. Though viper has a better alternative if you want to connect your phone to music system. I am thinking of getting it. I have a n70 with 2 GB card. Thinking if getting 4 GB if the phone supports.

Can someone tell me the price of ipod shuffle ?

[sk456]

Originally Posted by hydrashok

I'm test driving my iPod via aux-in since 2 days back. Tried a proprietary Blau interface. Used it for an hour and decided it was not worth it -- navigation wise. SQ-wise it was as good as a the MP3 CDs I rip & burn myself. No loss of quality whatsoever from aux-in either. I'm a 256 kbps guy too. Rip from iTunes.

.

hy guys,

the blau interface is prettyy expensve..More so,i was wantign to avoid the I pod interface also as i may be upgrading my HU to non-blau... Hydraashoks feedback on the blau Interface has more so now made me decide not too buy it....

Most of teh downloaded stuff i have on my i pod is 256 + ..
I was wantign to know if burnign my mp3 back to wav would detoriate the sq quality.... I use the I pod mainly when im travelling...
As i mostly use original CD's in my car.. i was jsut wantign to burn soem music which i dotn have on CD...
Moreso, what software woud one recommend to burn CD's....

[Sam Kapasi]

Originally Posted by sk456

I was wantign to know if burnign my mp3 back to wav would detoriate the sq quality.... I use the I pod mainly when im travelling...
As i mostly use original CD's in my car.. i was jsut wantign to burn soem music which i dotn have on CD...
Moreso, what software woud one recommend to burn CD's....

SK,
If you re-convert an mp3 back to wav, it sounds the same as the MP3. There is no improvement.
It does not matter what program you usee to burn the audio CD. In any case, slower is better.

[hydrashok]

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Glad to see another iTunes 256 VBR walla here.

Great minds think alike, huh? :-)

Originally Posted by sk456

the blau interface is prettyy expensve..More so,i was wantign to avoid the I pod interface also as i may be upgrading my HU to non-blau...

Yes, sk456. I really don't think the Blau is worth the 5.5K at all. Go for an Alpine or Pio 8 series if you want to go for an interface. Both seem to have better iPod interfaces, navigation-wise & speed wise (and of course, price-wise).

Or go for broke and get the Harmann-Kardon Drive+Play. I really got to understand what the hype about it (the D+P) was all about only after I used another interface (Blau's). Using the Blau interface was like riding a bicycle blindfolded, with your right hand tied behind your back. It took just a few minutes to drive me mad. Apparently the D+P is so seamless and fast you feel like you're working directly on the iPod. It is a bit pricey at 10K, but I'm beginning to think it is maybe worth it, after all.

I just wish that tree in front of my house grew a bit of money in the off-season. That way I could have the D+P and the 3-way comps I want (no, crave!).

[Mugen_Power]

I am also using ipod with ipod adapter.
I have all songs in 320 kbps on ipod and sounds good, no need of carrying cds.

@ sk, You can use Nero 7 to burn cds.

Cheers,
Mugen_Power.