Cable (& dock?) for best audio out?

deggie wrote:
All it means is that cable is capable of transferring the video signal from the 4th Generation Nano to an external monitor.

If that is so, why isn't the same parenthetical note included for all the video-capable iPods & iPhones, most notably the iPod Touch models? As written, the compatibility section of the cable's description implies there is something different about the two compatible Nanos that require the "(video)" addition. Somewhat similarly, I have seen other devices with similar output capabilities (like a dock, charger, & cable package from Belkin) that exclude the 4th gen Nano from its "works with" list.

If possible, I would like someone with a 4th gen Nano & the Apple composite cable to confirm that it does indeed pass audio regardless of the source category on the Nano, or whether or not the video connector is plugged into anything.

Regarding the Wadia iTransport, it may well offer a cleaner output but it is a less practical alternative for me than just using a MacBook, professional type DAC, & higher quality source formats than the iPod supports, which I already do when necessary. Basically, I just need something that makes it less obvious that I have cross-faded from a live mix or a pro-grade recording to the Nano on large sound systems. I believe the internal DAC in the Nano should be fine for this (for the high quality audio formats that it supports), but the headphone output's amp is not.

You're asking for consistency in their notations?

LOL! yes, I suppose for Apple that is too much to hope for ... but it would be nice to know for certain that the "(Video)" in the cable's compatibility section is just a result of Apple's famously (infamously?) awkward product naming conventions & nothing more.

With or without a dock, the article on TV support suggests I would have to use one of the two video cables with 30 pin connectors to get line level audio out of the 4G Nano, since it doesn't appear that this model is compatible with the docks that have the special 1/8" jack.

The Wadia link was interesting, even though it is not what I consider a practical product. It appears to be aimed at audiophiles with more money than sense, the same people that think paying over (I'm not kidding!) $1000 for a digital link cable is justified.

At least that makes Apple's somewhat pricey accessories seem like bargains by comparison! 🙂

Honestly, I don't want to get too deeply into the subject of so-called "audiophile grade" components. I have worked in the audio industry for nearly half a century, doing everything from sales to design, but mostly as a mixing engineer for live music concerts in venues from about 65,000 seats down to private events in the homes of very rich people. To each his or her own, but from my perspective almost all audiophile gear is just too finicky or of questionable accuracy for me to consider. My standard for serious use is fidelity to the original, so I do not want a system that (for instance) sounds "warm" or "brilliant" or any of the other adjectives used to describe what people like about their choices -- I want a system with no sound of its own, regardless of the material played or the cables used to interconnect it.

Essentially no consumer gear, audiophile or otherwise, really meets this standard. In particular, electronic audiophile components are often marginally stable & very sensitive to cable characteristics or difficult loads like exotic audiophile speakers. Ironically, this means they do often color the sound more than cheaper, mainstream consumer gear, but in a way that some folks find very pleasing. There is nothing wrong with that. It just isn't what I'm looking for.

I don't know if the Wadia dock or the other components used with it have this issue, but I do know that the equipment I will most often use with the Apple cable will not. It is professional sound gear, designed to be extremely stable & to cope with a wide variety of load characteristics with no changes in the sound, good or bad by anyone's tastes. Even my home system is (mostly) like this. The components are either designed by highly respected engineers noted for generous stability margins & neutral sound or my own attempts to apply the same principles to what I have scratch-built or modified.

FWIW, headphone amps generally are pretty stable when used as line outs, or can easily be made that way with a few simple components added to the cable. They just aren't noted for low distortion & sometimes (like I think with some of the iPods) include a frequency response contour to enhance the tonal qualities of earbuds. My hope is that with the proper cable I can bypass the Nano's headphone amp, & that the DAC in the Nano is of sufficient quality to blend smoothly with other sources. If it is, the Nano will be a convenient professional tool; if not, I can probably find a less demanding use for the combination ... if it works with more than the video category of the Nano's library.

Regarding docks, I'm not sure of the compatibility of the older Apple dock* & the 4th gen Nano. According to iPod and iPhone: TV out support, the 4th gen Nano is not compatible with the "iPod AV Cable," a breakout cable with a non-standard 4 conductor 1/8" mini jack on one end & 3 RCA plugs on the other, two for audio & one for composite video.

* Apple named the older dock the "iPod Universal Dock." It has an S-video jack & 1/8" mini jack that accepts the special iPod AV cable. It is easily confused with the current "Apple Universal Dock," which lacks an S-Video output)