iPod Re-energize iPod line with better quality audio

[theatremusician]

I don't think the nail should be put in the coffin for the iPod line. With "Mastered for iTunes" and competing devices (PONO etc) that are specifically designed for high bit rate/high quality sound, Apple may be missing an opportunity to innovate again with an improved iPod line. That being said, I don't think the current quality is bad. There is just room for improvement.

If Apple was able to provide a really good sounding device in the past (the original Shuffle comes to mind) at a reasonable price, I think with current tech, they could easily do it again. This would also require an upgraded ear bud/pod.

Thoughts?

 

[kdochert]

HD music is the next game changer

If Apple released an iPod that played true HD music (currently limited sampling frequency) I would buy it in a heartbeat. This is the next big thing in digital music and apple is not even in the game?

 

[puma1552]

Won't happen. They are a consumer products company.

 

[Dulcimer]

Won't happen. They are a consumer products company.

Sadly, this is true.

 

[DeSnousa]

Plus the reason why the market is not as large are because consumers are using smartphone to listen to music. Most won't want the hassle of a second device.

 

[deluxeshredder]

Mr. General Public just won't notice a difference (and very, very rarely uses acoustics that would show that difference) between mainstream mobile DACs and high-end mobile DACs.

A feed-audiophile "iPod Pro" may gain some respect, but it is extremely unlikely to "re-energize" the iPod line.

 

[Pakaku]

You'd need at least an amp for any serious audiophile listening. A solo device just won't cut it. I'm no audiophile but I am interested in an amp+dac combo of my own, for quality reasons.

Honestly, you're going to be hearing a lot of interference out of the house, on the go, where the idea of a portable music device makes more sense. So Apple uses some "good" chips which, while not "great", are still "good enough". Meanwhile, audiophile equipment makes more sense in a quiet environment where you can sit down, like your house, a studio, etc, because there is hardly any interference.

Besides, if Apple was serious about audiophiles anymore, they wouldn't sell iTunes music at 256K. Any audiophile will laugh at that quality, and server bandwidth is hardly a valid excuse either. Apple would just rather target the everydayman, who wouldn't know the difference, because it's a bigger audience. So that means Apple doesn't have to worry about audiophile-level sound chips and such.