Portable Audio

So I just got a nano 4G for my mom and of course it doesn't work with foo_dop for foobar. It's okay though since I need to use iTunes anyway to help her when she gets it. Question is, if I use the iPod with iTunes on my computer, will it be locked to this system or is there no problem when she gets it? And say I just want to use it kind of like a media storage device instead of something synched to a library on a computer; the things I put on it won't get eaten up when she receives it?

I'd like to give my son my old 3G iPod, but the Apple volume limiter only applies to 5G and later, as I understand it. I looked into rockbox, but it does not appear to be a feature. Does anyone know: a) can rockbox limit volume or is there another solution. Basically, I don't want him to blow his eardrums out (he's almost 3).

Android 5 finally allows USB audio out. It was available in various forms on Samsung products, but is now baked directly in to Lollipop. In attempting to connect my Pico dac/amp directly (no hub) to my Lollipopped Galaxy S5, I am unable to send the digital audio out to the dac. The Onkyo app actually has a setting for USB Audio, but the phone just hangs and shows no love. I've had my Pico for years now, so maybe I need a newer version? Most googling sends me to the other site or to Korean sites with posts about other dacs. Google is not my friend. Justin - is this something you are familiar with? Is there a way to update my beloved Pico?

Seems kinda like the DIY version of the iMod. Seeing as how it removes the PCB board traces, replaces caps, etc. But instead of using the HP jack, it still uses the dock connection. http://ipastudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2905 Seems like it could be fairly easily done on your own. I haven't seen the pics myself, as I'm not a member of ipastudio, but this was on another forum, and was curious if any of you DIYers did this? how do you think this SQ wise compares to the iMod? "Will it sound as good as my meridian CDP????" lol.

Ran across this and was wondering if any of you has seen it or used it? I am not a gamer nor do I need a portable mini-thing but it sure looks cool. http://www.ithic.com/

Just got 16 gig 3 GS Iphone friday. I have 3 itunes libraries on seperate computers. Music is on home pc and podcasts only on laptop and workplace pc. I set iphone to manually manage files (no synching). I do the same thing with my ipods (5G 30 gig, 80 gig Classic, and 3G nano) and am able to go back and forth from library to library. The iphone will not let me do this. When I try, I get message that it is already synched to a library and will wipe out what I have on iphone and synch to new library. The iphone is set to manualy manage music and videos, not synch. What gives?

Sorry, if this is a repost! I’ve been thinking about buying in-ear headphones, and I found theSennheiser IE8. But those were too expensive, so I did my research and found two in-ears that are less expensive-the CX980 and the MX980. The only problem right now is which one I should get. Some factors I will be considering include- Accessories- While I usually don’t use the accessories too much except maybe the carrying case and the sports clip, if the headphones do include accessories. Fortunately, that’s about all both the headphones come with. The only question I can ask is how good they work with the headphones. Build Quality- I want these in ears to last as lo…

I've been following their development blog as well as the thread over at HF, it seems like it has the potential to be a pretty killer portable. They've been very open to answering questions and addressing concerns and suggestions as well. Anyone else intrigued by a portable DAC with balanced amp that has both USB and iDevice connection?

So I was reading a review of the ElectroKID in a recent issue of HFN, and they said that the Krell is one of the few docks that takes advantage of the fact that the iPod actually has a the requirements for a true balanced line out (I.E. both regular and inverse signals). Is that true? Do any of the DIY cable makers take advantage of that fact?

My brother is looking for an inexpensive amp/DAC combo for use with his laptop (PC), and probably a set of Fostexes. He mentioned the FIIO E18, but is open to suggestions. He says he can get that for ~$60 on Amazon, and also mentioned a Topping NX2, which is even cheaper. I know, I know, non-HC approved, but it is what it is. He also mentioned that he mentioned that he doesn't have space for his headphone amp anymore, so is looking to sell it. It is an original Torpedo (I built it for him), IIRC from the prototypes build. PM me if there is any interest for this. He says he hasn't even used it while in South America, but I know he used it when he was still here i…

It's a good start, anyway: http://anandtech.com/show/8078/smartphone-audio-testing-htc-one-m8-and-samsung-galaxy-s5

Okay, not really worthy of a thread, but that's never stopped me before. I found this rather curious. Anyone bored enough to try? http://www.householdhacker.com/?p=7

As the title suggests I'm having problems with my brand new DT770/Pro-80 headphones with my 160Gb iPod Classic. The pod pauses the music after a little while as if I had disconnected the headphones (handy feature otherwise, but not here ) Any ideas on what to do to prevent this? The headphones work very well everywhere else, it's just my pod that seems to be incompactible. p.s. Just to clarify, the headphones are connected with a 3.5mm jack

I've found a good deal in a used pico amp only the battery is not so good, before I commit I want to see if anyone knows the cost for Justin to swap the battery (I know he's often takes him some time to contact him, and the first owner had asked but still no response for over a month). Or better yet if anyone has replaced the battery themselves, I've read the battery can be disconnected by removing the back panel but that's all I know.

Hello, So... I've tried doing some research. I don't want IEMs because I have ear problems with them. Here's what I basically need: Portable. These headphones need to be portable enough to put inside a backpack filled with textbooks. Another key here is durability, so they won't break while I'm carrying them around. They won't be under the books, but they'll be between the top of the books and the zipper of the backpack. Isolating. I'm going to be on a loud school bus a lot while listening to them, as well as on a plane sometimes. I don't like my music loud (I'm prone to hearing loss), so I really want them to isolate well so I don't have to turn my music up that loud…

http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/19/8068465/sony-memory-card-premium-sound-sr-64hxa

... either the Droid, iPhone, Nokia N900 or the HTC HD2? The gear4 Blueye is the closest thing out there I've been able to find but it doesn't multipair. What I'm looking for probably doesnt exist, but I'm throwing it out there to see if anyone can recommend a way to do this. - Wired remote. i.e. connects to headset socket or dock, and allows for play/pause, track skip and track fwd/rwd functions. - Jacked Bluetooth headset. i.e. built-in mic, 3.5mm jack. - Multi-pair: The ability to pair with multiple phones (>2), stay connected as headsets and take incoming calls from any of them on a first come, first served basis. In a nutshell, I want a wired …

Once again, a new wireless standard is rolling out. The ISOAL lossless audio codec sounds interesting... I doubt many manufacturers will implement it, since Apple AAC and Qualcomm aptX have bigger install bases: https://www.soundstagesolo.com/index.php/features/481-bluetooth-6-0-is-here-sort-of

A couple of months ago I finally got a DIY iMod. It's a 4th gen unit, modded with blackgates from the headphone out, and with a cap-less modded signal path from the lineout, that goes into a Sonicap dock (same as Vcap dock, but smaller & cheaper). I have been seeing lots of headfiers raving about the iMod for more than an year, and until two months ago I was a "portable only" guy, so I decided to invest my money into one and see myself if the enthusiasm was justified. My past experience with mp3 players has been with a Rio Karma (overrated sq), two Kenwood HD daps (very good sound quality but really expensive) and a JVC XA-HD500 (Kenwood-like sound, reasonable p…

mackay maus, another other local headphone geek and friend, has kindly loaned me his Headroom Micro stack to play with for a few days. I was playing around with the DAC in conjunction with my AE-2 last night using both USB with my computer and optical via my Philips DVP642. I have a few thoughts but I'm not sure what to make of them exactly so I'm curious for those that have heard the Micro DAC what their impressions are so I can try to get a handle on what I'm hearing.

May be of interest to some: http://andrewkelley.me/post/quest-build-ultimate-music-player.html

I just got these from a computer store for about $90. Since I got my iPod Shuffle 3G (4GB) last year, I've been looking for a reasonable upgrade from the stock iBuds. The Klipsch X10i were about $280 in the same store, which was tempting, but I thought the S4i were more appropriate considering my "active" lifestyle and my use of lossy compression. It also seemed freakish to buy headphones three times more expensive than the humble Shuffle. I plan to burn these in at a lower volume and gradually ramp up to normal levels. I rip tracks at 320 Kbps AAC using iTunes, which may not be the audiophile's preferred method, but it works for me. As a reference, I compare the sound …

Does anyone here have this unit? I picked one up this weekend for my iPod, and can only seem to fit 49 playlist's in it. I called them and they had no answers for me other than to bring it back for a new one. When asked about how to replaced the internal battery, they said it's not a battery , and will never need to be replaced. Ok, it has an inexhaustible power supply right. Great tech support. So far I'm not impressed.

Well, I posted all the ad copy a while ago in the last-thing-you-bought thread, but I thought I'd follow up after a while actually listening to it. Short answers: Yes, it's ridiculously tiny. Yes, it really does sound ridiculously good for its size. I would say it does honest bass down to the specified 80Hz and then some, which is quite an achievement for something that weighs all of 9oz. Mids and treble are clear and pleasant. At three feet or so, it will play louder than I'd care to listen for long. Remarkable given the physical constraints. Could you do better for $199? Sure, a pair of Audioengine A2s will make mincemeat out of it. Could you do better for …