The Apple iPod has forever changed the way we enjoy our music. Its large music storage capacity coupled with its intuitive user interface has made it hugely popular. By now you’ve probably stored your favorite tunes on your iPod, so wouldn’t it be great if you could connect it to your stereo system and use it as a source? You could easily and quickly find the music you want to hear without searching your CD storage rack for a disc. Well, you can. There are two ways to do this, one is good and the other is a great solution for integrating your iPod into your music system.
- Analog Connection: Connecting the analog output of your iPod is a simple and affordable way to use your iPod as a source. It requires an inexpensive 3.5mm stereo mini-jack to stereo RCA cable adapter. Simply connect the mini-jack to the headphone output jack on the iPod and the stereo RCA cables to an available analog audio input on your home system. You can listen to all of your iPod music on your home stereo.
The analog connection is certainly an easy solution, but you may find that your iPod music sounds more like a portable music player when played on a high-end audio system. Since the music files are stored on an iPod as compressed data, your system may reveal some weaknesses in sound quality. Compressed music relies on data reduction schemes that squeeze more music into a smaller space and often degrade the sound quality in the process. The music may sound good when played through ear phones, but often will not when played back through a high-quality sound system. Now, there's a better way to enjoy your iPod music on your home stereo - a digital connection.
- Digital Connection: The iPod is a great personal music component, but Apple designed it to be used as a portable player, not a source component for a home stereo. MSB Technologies has just introduced the iLink, an iPod upgrade that features a docking station and an optional remote transmitter. The upgrade modifies the iPod by tapping into its digital output allowing your home audio system’s digital to analog converters (DACs) to convert the signal to analog. Most likely the DACs in your system sound better than the iPods digital to analog conversion circuitry. The docking station has three digital outputs:
The docking station keeps the iPod fully charged and the optional remote transmitter means you can sit in your favorite listening chair with your iPod and select the music you want to hear played through your stereo system with the clarity of digital audio. The iLink turns your iPod into a digital music server so you can listen to your entire music collection through your home stereo system.
The MSB i-Link has a suggested retail price of $1995, which includes one iPod modification, or $2349 including a modified iPod.
