How to get a new Gen4 iPod
Posted by: Rockingdoc on 16 August 2007
It is widely accepted that the old tubby Generation4 iPod Photo sounds a lot better than the newer Gen5 iPod Video. I have a trusty Gen4 60Gb, and newer 30Gb and 80Gb Gen 5s. The Gen 4 blows them away using Apple lossless files through the line out into a decent amp and phones.
Recently the old tubby Gen4 died of disc-failure, two days before its extended 2 year warranty ran out. Not expecting much, I phoned the Apple Service Dept and was greeted with totally helpful service. A courier arrived at my office the next day to collect the dead gen4. Two days later the courier returned with a brand new GEN 4 iPod. How did this happen? At best I had hoped for a replacement Gen5, but Apple must have a stockpile of old new stock Gen4 players. I wish they would sell them.
Posted on: 16 August 2007 by Diode100
I think they are refurbished units. A few months back the iMod guy in the states, Vinnie, offer to supply a refurbished G4 direct from Apple, carry out the Red Wine modifications and then ship it to the UK. This seemed to be a regular way for him to do business, so presumably Apple do make these units available on request.
Posted on: 16 August 2007 by Guido Fawkes
You can get some refurbished products from Apple
here.
Worth calling them to see what they have.
Posted on: 16 August 2007 by Rockingdoc
Mine appears to be totally new, but I suppose it could just be a new case, cover and connectors/sockets. I bet it is new old stock though.
Posted on: 16 August 2007 by NaimDropper
Interesting that the 4 sounds better than the 5. First I've heard of that though I don't follow the various gen iPod news much.
I had a 3 that was stolen and replaced it with a 4 and felt I took a step backwards in audio.
Now that my 4 (30G) is nearly full I've contemplated selling it and going with a gen 5 80G. Will have to re-think that a bit...
David
Posted on: 22 August 2007 by Rockingdoc
I have been doing careful back to back listening tests between the G4 and G5, using the same lossless files. With an external amp, using the line out from the iPod, the G4 is so superior that any casual listener could tell straight away. The G4 simply sounds like good hi-fi and the G5 like an MP3 player.
Without an external amp, listening with phones straight into the headphone socket of each, the difference is minimal and I would be pushed to tell them apart.
Posted on: 22 August 2007 by Ian G.
quote:
Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I have been doing careful back to back listening tests between the G4 and G5, using the same lossless files. With an external amp, using the line out from the iPod, the G4 is so superior that any casual listener could tell straight away. The G4 simply sounds like good hi-fi and the G5 like an MP3 player.
Without an external amp, listening with phones straight into the headphone socket of each, the difference is minimal and I would be pushed to tell them apart.
Thank you for passing that on. I have an old Creative Jukebox3 (60gb) which is sufficiently 'life-experienced' that it may fall over any minute. It sounds really great though, much better than my better half's new 8GB ipod Nano. I have been wondering what to replace it with eventually and had been disappointed to read the comments on the newer ipod's inferior sound. As I would like to keep a high capacity device (60GB or more) the choice is limited. However if one can not really tell via headphones, which are all I use, maybe an nice 80GB ipod would be ok. Probably I should head for an Apple shop and have a listen for myself.
cheers
Ian
Posted on: 22 August 2007 by Diode100
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Rockingdoc:
I have been doing careful back to back listening tests between the G4 and G5, using the same lossless files. With an external amp, using the line out from the iPod, the G4 is so superior that any casual listener could tell straight away. The G4 simply sounds like good hi-fi and the G5 like an MP3 player.
Without an external amp, listening with phones straight into the headphone socket of each, the difference is minimal and I would be pushed to tell them apart.[/QUOTE}]
Is it that one of the factors is that the G5 does not have a proper line out facility ? There were comments on here after the launch about the volume control still being in play when using the line out on the apple docking station. There was also a comment recently on Head-Fi about the same issue, I'll see if I can dig it out.
