Last night, after I finished transferring my entire MP3 library to my iPod, I took my iPod for its first listening test drive.
But, before I discuss the test drive, I have to preface all of this with an explanation - I'm very very fussy when it comes to audio quality. I'm not an over the top audiophile - I don't have a $20K sound system. But, when it comes to portable music, I go the extra mile:
- I rip all of my CD's and encode them at the max bit rate: 320 kbs. The default is 128 kbs and 192 kbs is considered by many to be "quality." Harumph.
- I do NOT download music for on-going listening. There are a few reasons for that - I don't want Kazaa or any of its ilk on my PC - not because I'm afraid of the evil RIAA. No, those particular P2P applications can muck up one's PC. The real reason I don't download or use the iTunes store because the bit rate is usually 128 kbs. The sound is just so muddy at 128 kbs.
- My headphones are the fabulous Bose Noise Cancelling headphones. The Bose noise cancelling circuitry works very very well, the sound quality is great, and they are the most comfortable headphones I've ever worn.
- I also use a headphone amplifier made by Headroom. The difference a headphone amp makes is absolutely unbelievable. As the Headroom blurb states:
Put an AirHead headphone amplifier between your portable player and quality headphones, and presto! The space between your ears becomes your own private listening room. The AirHead isolates your player from the complex load of the headphones while driving them with the authority and finesse of quality power amplification. The result? Exquisite audio right between your ears.
As you can see, I really am fussy when it comes to sound quality. And, so, how did my new iPod sound?
Absolutely drop dead fabulous - better than my old Zen which had a great sound. I am very very very pleased!
BTW, the test drive album was the classic - Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon." Which was totally stunning on my little setup.
8:15:40 PM 
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