iPod Bought a 'new' iPod. What should I look for?

[Applespider]

Sound quality is inferior to the Shuffle.
Using the same ripped files and the exact same headphones.

When I first got my Shuffle I was astonished at the improvement in quality although I'd never thought my 4G iPod was bad. I put it down to be v drunk that night...and just happy to have my Shuffle. I was mightily relieved to find that it was, in fact, true! How the Shuffle sounds so good with that teeny size is amazing...

 

[Sharewaredemon]

Aaah, but this skin has a flap which you can open where the dock goes in.
So no messing about...

You probbably missed this in the instrucion manual but you aren't supposed to charge the iPod with a case on it.

 

[EGT]

When I first got my Shuffle I was astonished at the improvement in quality although I'd never thought my 4G iPod was bad. I put it down to be v drunk that night...and just happy to have my Shuffle. I was mightily relieved to find that it was, in fact, true! How the Shuffle sounds so good with that teeny size is amazing...

It seems that all 4th gens and the Photos have a slightly poorer sound quality than older iPods and the shuffle. I'm not sure about the minis.

I haven't a clue why. Maybe something to do with improving battery life?