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Topic: iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ (Read 7294 times) previous topic - next topic
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iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Hi

I'm looking into buying a cheap mp3 player and I narrowed down my choices to these three. My main question is how is the SQ of the 2G and the Nano 1G (with apple/rockbox firmware) compared to the 1G shuffle exactly?

Thanks
KTamas

P.S: I don't use IEMs.
 

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #1 –
A lot of folks seem to like the Shuffle 1G in terms of low background noise, good bass response with low impedance phones, and just generally great sound reproduction. The unit's output is not capacitively coupled - the Sigmatel processor's on-board codec uses a charge pump to produce a negative supply rail for the output stage, which allows for a true bipolar output.

Capacitively coupled outputs tend to fall off in the bottom end with good quality low-impedance phones. This is also true for higher impedance phones, but the corner frequency moves lower as phone impedance rises, making it next to impossible to hear a difference. Battery life is outstanding.

The 1G Nano appears to have a lot of fans. I've heard both the 1G Shuffle (I own one) and 1G Nano (my boss owns one). They both sound great with a pair of PortaPros. I've never auditioned either one with a pair of low-impedance phones.

The 2G is a bit of a new beast to me, but I've heard numerous reports that it has an issue with background hiss using low-impedance phones. I have no idea if the output is capacitively coupled. Check the Head-Fi forums, but wade carefully through the information posted. Battery life is poorer than the 1G.

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #2 –
I am also interested in how is the shuffle 1G's quality compared to the iPod mini (which I ahve sold after a week because it sounded awful -- lack of bass, overall "dull" sound).

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #3 –
Quote from: KTamas on
I am also interested in how is the shuffle 1G's quality compared to the iPod mini (which I ahve sold after a week because it sounded awful -- lack of bass, overall "dull" sound).


The iPod Mini uses smallish output dc-blocking capacitors, which is why its bass response is regarded to be poor. The 1G Shuffle's bass response is solid due to its bipolar output stage.

http://home.comcast.net/~machrone/playertest/playertest.htm

Edit: grammar

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #4 –
Just got the 1G shuffle (512 MB). I am amazed. The bass respose is just pure awesomeness, it is the best I have ever heard. It is better than my sound card (SB Live! 24-bit External), and it is better than former iAudio U3, which did sound gorgeous. This thing is a keeper...

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #5 –
This isn't trolling to any extent, but how do you guys live without a display?
I mean, how do you select tracks conveniently?
WavPack 5.8.1 -b384hx6cmv / qaac64 2.84 -V 100

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #6 –
Quote from: DARcode on
This isn't trolling to any extent, but how do you guys live without a display?
I mean, how do you select tracks conveniently?

Well I can't say I am not missing it but you can learn to live without it. No screen is not really a problem since I usually have only 30-50 songs on my shuffle, so I just forward to the track I want. Not the most convenient way, but I can live with it. Personally I try not to care about it and when choosing an mp3 player, pretty much the only factor I'm looking at is the SQ (that may have been caused by my former iPod Mini which I was really longing for, but when I got it, the SQ turned me down). Nevertheless, I still want a player with 4+ (8+....12+...20+...the more, the merrier) GB storage, probably either an used Rio Karma, or the new Trekstor Vibez.

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #7 –
Quote from: DARcode on
This isn't trolling to any extent, but how do you guys live without a display?
I mean, how do you select tracks conveniently?

You can get DAPs with displays? (!)

Seriously, I use my Shuffle mainly for running & cycling. My listening habits tend to have a granularity at the album level.

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #8 –
Quote from: KTamas on
Just got the 1G shuffle (512 MB). I am amazed. The bass respose is just pure awesomeness, it is the best I have ever heard. It is better than my sound card (SB Live! 24-bit External), and it is better than former iAudio U3, which did sound gorgeous. This thing is a keeper...

Nice to see someone happy with their purchase. If you're interested in making your Shuffle more of a Drag 'n Drop device, check out "iShuffle". It allows you to load or extract music anywhere sans iTunes.

http://agoraphobeus.free.fr/iShuffle/index.html

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #9 –
Quote from: kazokm on
Quote from: KTamas on

Just got the 1G shuffle (512 MB). I am amazed. The bass respose is just pure awesomeness, it is the best I have ever heard. It is better than my sound card (SB Live! 24-bit External), and it is better than former iAudio U3, which did sound gorgeous. This thing is a keeper...

Nice to see someone happy with their purchase. If you're interested in making your Shuffle more of a Drag 'n Drop device, check out "iShuffle". It allows you to load or extract music anywhere sans iTunes.

http://agoraphobeus.free.fr/iShuffle/index.html

Thanks. iTunes is a major PITA (I use musikCube for playback usually, it has an iTunes-esque database AND it is fast --- and sometimes Foobar2000). However, how can I order my tracks with iShuffle? Does it work alphabetically? I rarely use my shuffle in shuffle....

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #10 –
Quote from: KTamas on
Quote from: kazokm on

Quote from: KTamas on

Just got the 1G shuffle (512 MB). I am amazed. The bass respose is just pure awesomeness, it is the best I have ever heard. It is better than my sound card (SB Live! 24-bit External), and it is better than former iAudio U3, which did sound gorgeous. This thing is a keeper...

Nice to see someone happy with their purchase. If you're interested in making your Shuffle more of a Drag 'n Drop device, check out "iShuffle". It allows you to load or extract music anywhere sans iTunes.

http://agoraphobeus.free.fr/iShuffle/index.html

Thanks. iTunes is a major PITA (I use musikCube for playback usually, it has an iTunes-esque database AND it is fast --- and sometimes Foobar2000). However, how can I order my tracks with iShuffle? Does it work alphabetically? I rarely use my shuffle in shuffle....

Yes - it works alphabetically. It will also produce a small text report in the Shuffle's root directory showing the ordering of tracks after you rebuild the database.

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #11 –
Quote from: kazokm on
Quote from: KTamas on

Quote from: kazokm on

Quote from: KTamas on

Just got the 1G shuffle (512 MB). I am amazed. The bass respose is just pure awesomeness, it is the best I have ever heard. It is better than my sound card (SB Live! 24-bit External), and it is better than former iAudio U3, which did sound gorgeous. This thing is a keeper...

Nice to see someone happy with their purchase. If you're interested in making your Shuffle more of a Drag 'n Drop device, check out "iShuffle". It allows you to load or extract music anywhere sans iTunes.

http://agoraphobeus.free.fr/iShuffle/index.html

Thanks. iTunes is a major PITA (I use musikCube for playback usually, it has an iTunes-esque database AND it is fast --- and sometimes Foobar2000). However, how can I order my tracks with iShuffle? Does it work alphabetically? I rarely use my shuffle in shuffle....

Yes - it works alphabetically. It will also produce a small text report in the Shuffle's root directory showing the ordering of tracks after you rebuild the database.

Cool, thanks.

iPod Shuffle 1G vs. 2G vs. Nano 1G SQ

Reply #12 –
Is it me or the vocals on the shuffle has less volume than the background music has? it is kinda....weird.