From Wired...
Old-time audiophiles must be spinning in their soundproof graves. Thanks to hardware modifications and headphone amplifiers, the humble iPod is earning a place at the heart of the most expensive and exacting sound systems.
Veteran audiophiles would scoff. The iPod is relatively inexpensive, costing only a fraction of the $10,000 to $100,000 some will spend on big-rig audio gear. And it plays -- gasp -- compressed audio.
Audiophiles demand only the highest fidelity and detail. For some, digital music in any form, especially highly compressed MP3, is contemptuously unacceptable. To purists, only old-fashioned vinyl platters cut it.
But remarkably, the iPod is exceptionally well engineered, boasting circuitry to rival much more expensive stereo components.
Read more here ... Audiophiles Become IpodiophilesVeteran audiophiles would scoff. The iPod is relatively inexpensive, costing only a fraction of the $10,000 to $100,000 some will spend on big-rig audio gear. And it plays -- gasp -- compressed audio.
Audiophiles demand only the highest fidelity and detail. For some, digital music in any form, especially highly compressed MP3, is contemptuously unacceptable. To purists, only old-fashioned vinyl platters cut it.
But remarkably, the iPod is exceptionally well engineered, boasting circuitry to rival much more expensive stereo components.
hyeah: