Audio output with the universal dock

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Level 1

134 points

Audio output with the universal dock

Hi,

On my Apple dock for the Mini, the audio output to my stereo system is not affected by the Mini's volume control, and the sound is better than if I run the audio from the Mini's headphone jack to the stereo.

So I decided to get Apple's universal dock for my new 30G video iPod to have the same quality sound (plus I like having the dock to charge and synch the iPod). However, unlike the Mini dock, the universal dock's volume out is affected by the iPod itself. Of course I can adjust the volume with my stereo, too, but I have to set the iPod volume much higher than I use with headphones in order to get loud enough volume on the stereo. I guess that Apple made the change for people who want to use the Apple IR remote with the iPod, but I'm wondering if it's a step backward in terms of the sound quality when hooked to a stereo.

Is there anyway to over-ride this, so that I can get a direct audio signal from my dock, unaffected by the iPod's volume setting, just the way I did with the Mini? Also, is the universal dock's audio output affected by any EQ settings on the iPod? And one final question: is it just me, or have others found that even with the adapter, the 30G iPod moves back and forth too much in the dock?

Thanks for the help!

HP zv5430 Windows XP

Posted on Jan 2, 2006 3:30 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 21, 2006 8:40 AM in response to Phil M2

I came to the Forum looking for an answer to this exact question. I can't believe it's gotten no replies. For an audiophile the purity of the output signal taken from the dock connector is very important. It has been the subject of praise and is what makes the iPod so universally embraced by all members of the audio community.

I think this is an important question. By putting the signal through volume control circuits in the iPod instead of a pure line out path is the sound compromised in any way? Does anyone know?

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Answer 2

Feb 2, 2006 8:51 PM in response to Eddie Strauss

Hear hear!!! This is what I want to know too. Does the Universal Dock give a better output to home stereo components.

I think the iPod sounds downright crappy coming through a mini to RCA cord. Great little device for the car or walking around, but AAC is no good for serious listening so far.

E

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Answer 3

Feb 4, 2006 4:15 AM in response to Phil M2

Add me to those looking for an answer to this. I was a bit surprised when I tried the lineout for the first time last night and found that the volume depended on the iPod volume control. I have the remote and I guess that's kinda cool to control the volume with it, but I would rather have a constant level lineout, I think.

G5 first generation Mac OS X (10.3.9) 60GB video iPod, universal dock, Apple remote

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Answer 4

gobb

Level 1

0 points

Feb 19, 2006 2:29 PM in response to Phil M2

I, as well, cannot figure out why this dock has a variable output. It appears to just be an extension of the headphone output, not a true line output. Previous generation Ipods & docks appear to have a true fixed level (non-adjustable), line output, I wonder why they changed? Has anyone been able to contact Ipod technical about this?

When I plug my 60gb video ipod into this Apple Universal Dock the mini-pin output on the dock is variable but when I plug the same Ipod into my Monster Cable car adapter the audio output is fixed.

I'm trying to figure out if there are 2 different sets of pins on the bottom Ipod connector one for variable & one for fixed audio output.

I-lounge has a good thread on this too:

http://forums.ilounge.com/showthread.php?s=6d22fbd125cdbc6d931fa4747150449d&thre adid=132628&highlight=dockvolumeconstant

There are a couple other adapters that appear to provide a true line output at a fixed (non-adjustable) volume. I attached a link to one below:

http://www.sendstation.com/us/products/pocketdock/lineout-usb.html

Dell Windows XP

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Answer 5

Robert1

Level 2

395 points

Feb 20, 2006 1:10 PM in response to gobb

This is all strange. My new iPods -- nano and 30GB video play line out only from dock slot. Running volume up and down with click wheel has no effect whatsoever on Stereo volume.

I have my 30GB video sitting in the dock I got with my original 3rd Generation iPod, 3.5mm line out of dock to stereo RCA aux input, and the sound is clearly line out and controlled only by the stereo.

In addition, my Kensington FM Transmitter/Charger feeds off the dock connector slot on the bottom of iPod and the volume controls only with the radio. No impact from iPod volume, so is coming off line out of base dock slot connector. Nano will play both radio and 3.5mm out at same time. I haven't tried the video ipod with both connections.

So, my guess is that the dock connectors are what is different, not the iPod. Maybe an ebay purchase to get an old one. The cradle is larger than the newer iPod, but I have had no problem with that.

PC, 30GB video and nano iPods Windows XP

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Answer 6

sfahr

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2006 7:54 PM in response to Phil M2

I seem to have a similar, yet opposite problem as the rest of you. Maybe someone can give me a tip on what I should do. I recently got a car charger that plugs into the dock connector of my 5g iPod. Then on the adapter (which plugs into the cigarette outlet in the car) there is an 'Audio Out' jack. When I plug a tape adapter into that audio out jack, and play it through my car cassette player, the output volume on the iPod is so high/loud that the sound is severely distorted. This problem is eliminated when I plug the tape adapter directly to the headphone jack of the iPod and adjust the volume to a lower level and then turn the car speakers up. Does anyone know of a way to adjust the output volume of the dock connector on the iPod?

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Answer 7

Robert1

Level 2

395 points

Mar 23, 2006 12:05 AM in response to sfahr

The line out is constant and the only sound available from the dock connector is line out -- a higher quality sound than the 3.5 mm stereo ear bud connector. The only way to adjust the volume is to decrease the auto stereo volume.

You have a friend with a different brand unit that uses the dock connector? Try it to see if you get the same results. My Kensington FM/Charger feeds into the dock connector and I can only adjust volume with the car stereo unit. Spinning the click wheel does nothing. I like it that way.

I had earlier reported some problems with dock connector sometimes not playing, requiring a soft reset sometimes.
The new versions seem to have that fixed.

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