iPod Planning to order 160Gb Classic from USA to UK, to have decent volume - thoughts?..

[alexjholland]

Hey

I'm planning to get a 160Gb iPod Classic to house my entire 110Gb (and rising!) music collection.

The EU volume restriction is not cool. I have a Nano 6G and it's definitely too quiet for me. I'm not splashing out on a Classic, just to have my iPhone 4 (apparently not restricted) perform better with my headphone collection.

So I'm planning to order an engraved 160Gb Classic through a chap I know in America, who will then Fedex it to me.

I'm aware I will get the worldwide Apple warranty; but also that if it ever breaks and I take it to a UK store I can expect to get an EU-Limited model back (in which case I'd be inclined to Fedex it to the US for him to take in to an Apple store to circumvent this!)

However, is there any danger that updating a US iPod with firmware via my UK iMac's UK iTunes account on a UK internet connection could install an EU limiter; or is this limiter hardware-based?

Any thoughts from anyone who has pursued this route (I can't be alone!) would be appreciated, Thanks!

 

[OllyW]

I've had a US 160GB classic for 3 years and it's still got the unlimited volume, even after a few firmware upgrades.

 

[alexjholland]

Great answer!

 

[0098386]

Good lord man, your ears! I like my music loud (using 2 floor standing speakers with my iMac) but even the EU's max volume hurts my ears.

Thems my thoughts.

 

[alexjholland]

With my car system, volume 18 with my iPhone maxed is equivelent to around 30 with my Nano - at this volume I have the sound of gentle hissing when paused. Not cool.

I'd say Nano is loud enough for general headphone use, but if there is background noise it's not that loud. If I'm spending for something to house my entire music collection, it can't be second to my phone for music volume. That's just silly.

 

[Tomorrow]

With my car system, volume 18 with my iPhone maxed is equivelent to around 30 with my Nano - at this volume I have the sound of gentle hissing when paused. Not cool.

What kind of system are you connected to that the iPod volume even makes a difference? Mine connects to the truck's USB port and it's treated like a "line in" - the volume can only be adjusted with the stereo deck in the dash.

 

[alexjholland]

It just uses a standard aux in on the front.