Audio Bliss for a Ten-Spot

I'm an audio quality fetishist, to the degree a poor man can be. And for broke audiophiles, it's a great time to be alive. I've had a post-in-progress queued up for a while now on cheap audio bliss, but can't seem to finish it. I was going to talk about audio file formats and bitrates, players, headphones, etc. It can be a bit complicated.

But right now I'm listening to some Sting through $10 worth of gear, and it sounds superb. Really, truly superb. I have a whole pile of audio gear at my elbow, including a tube amp, $200 headphones, a hand-wired DAC, etc. But right now, to my ears, this sounds as good as any of it. And this rig is both cheap and dead simple:

One used Sony Discman portable CD player ($3 from a thrift store) and one pair Koss KSC75 headphones ($5 on closeout).

The Discman I picked up is a D-191 that is probably about 10 years old. It's beat up and has almost no features, not even a pause button, but it sounds much better than another Discman I own that is loaded with (mostly useless) features. There was a whole pile of players at the thrift store priced for couch change, and any random Sony in working order will sound good to terrific.

Koss KSC75 headphones are legendary cheap-fi darlings. Amazon sells them for $14. They are clip-ons, but a lot of headbands from other cheap headphones work fine (I use the bands from these $2 throwaways). The KSC75's are light years beyond anything else south of $80. Koss PortaPros are also very much liked, and cost just a bit more (with headband), but I have not heard them.

Of course, you also need CDs. And they're a big part of the bliss equation here. CDs contain much more audio information than mp3s, and a simple, quality CD player can resolve that detail very impressively. Sony figured out how to do that many years ago, and in fact made their best, and most expensive, portable CD players back in the '90s.

Quality mp3s on any current-model ipod, with the same headphones, sound a solid 80% as good as what I'm hearing right now. Lossless audio files might sound 95% as good. But this old silver disc and my salvaged $3 Discman still owns them.

iPod Thoughts

As every geek knows, Apple refreshed their iPod line last week. Is there anything to get excited about? Not a lot.

The iPod touch got a price cut for the 8gb model ($199), with 32gb ($299) and 64gb ($399) models following. All evidence points to the probability that Apple had planned to include a video camera in the new models, but had to pull it just weeks before launch, due to technical problems. That camera will likely reappear in at least the 32/64gb models in the near future, with little fanfare. Apple is not calling the new models just introduced the third generation (3G), but rather the "iPod touch (Late 2009)" models. That almost screams, "Don't buy me!"

The 32/64gb models also have new processors that make them up to 50% faster than the previous models and the current 8gb model. They also support a new graphics API which, again, the 8gb model does not. So the 8gb model may be relatively cheap now, but it is also relatively slow and will not be able to run some next-gen software. Stay away.

The new iPod nano (5G) differs very little from the previous model. It includes a VGA video camera, but that camera cannot take still photos and does not have autofocus. It's probably a $2 part and does nothing for me. But the new nano does have a slightly larger screen (.2" larger) that is also brighter (TFT), and now gets an FM radio. All that does not add up to much, and most critics see this revision as just a glomming on of gimmicks to extend its lifespan. But it remains a good basic player and I will be getting one this next year.

I won't even comment on the iPod shuffle. It's still lame.

For competition, there are some great new PMPs just out. In the shuffle class, the new Sansa Clip+ now has a microSD slot, making this tiny, brilliant-sounding player almost perfect. Starting at $40 retail, and with an 8gb microSD card being just $15, you can have a great high-capacity player the size of a matchbook for very cheap. I use my Clip constantly.

In the nano class, two new Sony S series Walkmans starting at $110 (NWZ-S544) and $150 (NW-S644) are looking to be much better players. And starting at $80 (NWZ-E443), the entry-level E series remains a real price-performance bargain. Sonys have always had better sound than iPods and support drag-and-drop music transfer, which is my preference. These models are just arriving in the US.


A Sony NWZ-S544 ($110), with some serious external stereo speakers built in and a nifty kickstand. No reviews out yet on how good they sound, but I think they are a great idea. Why didn't someone do this sooner?

Finally, just announced, the new Zune HD is Microsoft's best player yet (and they have all been good). The tough reviewers at Gizmodo even say it is simply "the best touchscreen PMP on the market." 'Nuff said.

But really, while everyone is beating Apple at hardware and value, iTunes overrides every price and performance advantage that the competition can field. I will be getting a nano, not because I especially like the nano itself, but because I need a small player with a screen that works with iTunes. I listen to podcasts on my way to work, and iPods+iTunes are by a huge margin the best solution for podcasts. In fact, for many podcasts, the only solution. They're called podcasts for a reason.

So, for better or worse, I'm still wedded to Apple.

The Anti-Touch

Apple has revised its Shuffle, perhaps to ensure that it really is the polar antithesis of the Touch. While the Touch does so much that its ability to play music is almost forgotten, the Shuffle only plays music, and that just barely. The Touch is highly configurable, with numerous bells, whistles and gewgaws, and multiple controls. The new Shuffle has one switch on it and no buttons. It still shuffles, naturally, and you can change the volume and skip tracks with headphone cord-mounted controls. But that's about it.

It's "hot new feature" is an artificial (vocoder-like) voice that tells you the name of the song and artist you're listening to. Yawn. It also supports multiple playlists. That is more useful. But you can't buy a player today that does not support playlists. So yawn again.

And the new Shuffle comes with multiple downsides. First, $80 is a premium price, even for a 4gb player. And the smaller size is not useful. They've gone from a player that is slightly larger than my thumb to one slightly smaller. I don't need something that small. As a NYT article said, "Of course, at this size, Apple may want to consider adding another feature: a locator beacon. The new Shuffle’s so small, it’s only a matter of time before you lose it."

But the real deal-killer is the fact that you have to use the Apple-supplied earbuds with it, since it requires the integrated controls to operate. Some of us just cannot use the Apple buds (ouch!) and their sound quality is terrible. Doubtless Apple (and perhaps some 3rd parties, too) will introduce upgrade earphones. But Apple's earphones are never a good value, and in any case, you simply cannot use your 'phones of choice.

Of course, Apple is trying to hold onto a profitable niche. I expect these cost $20 or less to produce. I personally was hoping Apple would take a cue from Chinese Shuffle knockoffs (see left) and put a little screen on it.

But if you want something like that, with much better sound besides, just get a Sansa Clip.

Headphone Reviews III: Denon AH-C551K

Of the three IEMs I'm reviewing here, these are the top dogs. When 'phones start hitting a Benjamin at retail, you are generally headed for real head-fi territory. I bought my Denon AH-C551Ks used for $40 off of Amazon Marketplace ($99 retail), and they look and sound every cent of the asking price.

Denon is a top audio brand, though new to the headphone market. These are upper-middle in their IEM range. They have large 11mm active drivers in hard-coated aluminum housings with a frequency range of 15Hz-24kHz. They are semi-open in design, using what Denon calls "Accoustic Optimizer" technology. And yes, they have that most essential feature, the left-ear bump.

Their sound is scooped with truly, gloriously thumpin' bass. Or maybe it is not scooped so much as the bass is just very prominent. I have a set of beyerdynamic DT770 full-size headphones that are supposed to be real bass cannons. These little monsters shame them. But, the bass is clear and punchy, as is the rest of the spectrum. Unlike my JBLs and JVCs, they sound hi-fi from top to bottom. But with a whole lot of bottom. I can listen to about anything with them and not be dissatisfied, but they do have their own sound. Not everyone would like their sound with every kind of music. But with hard rock, they crush.

Aside from their bass-biased sound, I have three small dislikes. They come with a two-piece cable, a 20” base cable with a 31” extension. This is great if you use them with an armband player, but that is not my primary use. So I'd be happier with a single cable. The two-piece cable also adds to the already substantial weight of the aluminum housings. They are they first 'phones I've had with noticeable weight, though not really uncomfortable. But lighter would be better. Finally, the ear tips that are supplied with them are lousy. They don't fit my ears, or (it seems from reviews) most other human ears. Easily fixed, though, with some good-but-cheap double-flanged silicone tips off the 'Bay.

If I had a do-over, would I still get them? Maybe not. I'd probably save my coin and go for some Etymotic Research IEMs, even though twice the price. These Denons are good, very good, but not quite head-fi nirvana.

Headphone Reviews II: JBL Reference 220

I am going to first point you to another review of the JBL Reference 220 canalphones, which has good pictures and discussion of the "system" part of this "earphone system." The "system" is basically just several ways provided to the user for hanging them on your head or sticking them in your ears. That I do not care about so much, though the included semi-hard case I do like.

I bought these 'phones off ePrey as refurbs from the JBL outlet store for $20 ($79 retail). They have great cloth-covered cables and are of quality build, even if still plastic (not a bad thing, for weight). They are of an unusual (for earphones) open-back design, which may let out some sound, but generally makes the audio less canned or boxy. Although they came with four sets of tips, I just threw on an old set of Skullcandy silicones that fit fine. They have standard "large" apertures common to a lot of earphones (Creative EP-630s, etc.), so many other tips will work with them.


My 220s are black, but they also come in white and, in fact, are sold on Apple's online store.

Now, if you bothered to look at that review above, ignore the reviewer's comments on the sound. He either got very different 'phones or has very different ears. These are NOT bass heavy phones. They are in fact quite neutral, though perhaps a bit warm (warmth=non-harshness). Each 'phone uses a single, active driver of unknown size, but frequency response is just 20Hz–20kHz, which is pretty shallow on the bass. But I think they sound very much like my audiophile-grade Grado SR-60s. They do not have that scooped rock sound so many phones have, but their neutrality is a real plus in terms of versatility. They're parked on my Touch right now, because while they are not the ultimate phones for any one thing, they do sound good with just about everything. The only thing I miss is that they do not have a left-ear bump on the left 'phone, so that you can identify it by touch, something both my JVCs and my Denons have and which I have come to regard as essential. (My Skullcandy's didn't even label the L and R 'phones, as if it does not matter . . .)

So, would these 'phones be worth the $80 retail price? That's not high-end spendy, but it's more than my Grados cost. Yes, they are good, but I'm not sure they're that good. But for $20, they are brilliant.

Headphone Reviews I: JVC HA-FX33/34 "Marshmallows"

I've been trying a few different headphones the last while in pursuit of headphone nirvana. As I wrote a few weeks ago, head-fi is where it's at, and nothing does more for DAP sound quality than a great set of 'phones. I've also introduced my devoted readership (yes, both of you) to the basics of earbuds. Here we're starting at the low end.

JVC Marshmallows can be bought at any big box electronics store for about $20, but I paid $6-$8 for my two pairs on ePrey. They are of epic reputation for providing good sound quality at a stupidly low cost. The HA-FX33/34s (I have no idea the difference between to two model numbers) are nicknamed marshmallows because that is just what the foam ear tips look like. They they use soft, memory foam tips very like hardware store earplugs rather than the silicone tips other canalphones use. They seal well and are fairly comfortable, to me. They are totally closed and attenuate outside noise very well.

Marshmallows come in several colors, of which a few are a bit garish.

These buds have 8.5mm active drivers and a 8-23,000Hz frequency response. To my ears, they sound is a bit scooped, meaning the mids are a bit recessed. Many, MANY headphones are scooped, so they probably would not sound artificial to most people. They have plenty of bottom end, in any case, but the bottom is a bit boomy compared to more expensive 'phones. The good isolation and scooped sound makes them great phones for car travel, since the strong top and bottom project well over road noise. And for the price of a drink and sandwich, there is little concern if you should close them in the car door, etc. All in all, by audiophile consensus, they may just be the best bang-4-buck canalphones out there, and a quantum leap beyond bog stock iBuds.

The Zune: A Great Failed Product

The prophets of doom are reading the tea leaves and saying the Zune is on its way out. Perhaps. MS is almost certainly losing money on it. This is really a great shame. The Touch is murdering everything outside the commodity player market, and the whole market for DAPs is quickly becoming commoditized. But in the latest revision, MS finally got the Zune to where it should have been on Day One. Namely, it not only has wi-fi, it can now connect to the Zune Marketplace over any open network. With a Zune Pass ($14.99/mo), this means you can now listen to any of 3 million songs anywhere you have wi-fi access. I've said before that this is what Apple needs to do. (They will not, I am sure, until forced to.) It may be too little too late, but still, we can be glad that MS (for a change) is innovating and showing the way.

The Death of DRM

The MacWorld Expo is mostly a platform for Apple to roll out new hardware. They did roll out a new 17" MacBook Pro yesterday, but at $2800, in the midst of economic chaos, I'm not sure it will fly off the shelves. Otherwise, the keynote was a bit of a yawn, all about software revisions (no wonder Jobs chose not to speak). But, the famous "one more thing" at the end was more interesting. DRM will be removed from all songs sold on iTunes (NYT article, Apple).

This was inevitable, but a long time coming. Steve Jobs wrote an open letter to the recording industry in Feb. '07, urging them to do just this. They in fact have not required DRM for music purchased from Amazon, but except for EMI, the labels have retained that restriction for Apple. This has probably been for two main reasons.

First, the labels have hated the iTunes monopoly. With it, Jobs has had them over a barrel for years. By allowing Amazon to sell tracks DRM-free, they have been hoping to build Amazon up as a competitor. And in fact, Amazon has not done badly, but they are no iTunes killer.

But (second reason) they've also finally gotten the big concession they wanted from Jobs: variable pricing for songs. Jobs has been adamant about his 99 cent flat pricing model. But the labels wanted their older back catalog to sell for less (so they could sell more) and their new, hot songs to sell for more (they'll probably sell the same number, but at higher margins). Jobs finally agreed to this and they dropped the DRM.

This is good. DRM is evil. It had to die. But what about all those DRM-poisoned tracks you've already purchased? You can "upgrade" them to DRM-free 256k tracks for 30% of the purchase cost, just as before. Think of it as a format migration. And expect to pay for those songs again and again as new formats emerge. Or, just buy CDs and turn them into whatever you want, whenever you want.

What's next for iTunes? I think lossless music has to be somewhere in its future (yet another format migration). And also a buffet-style all-you-can-hear subscription service, like Rhapsody. Again, Jobs hates the idea, but even he will relent in the face of necessity.

But another real revolution in digital music is social networking services. And here the gorilla in the room is not MySpace or Facebook, but imeem. imeem has licensing agreements with all the major labels that allow users to upload and share music and videos from their artists. And it's free (advertiser supported). Admittedly, this is not a challenge to portable music services, but social networking elements are already incorporated into subscription services. And this is what consumers want: a way to share music (not just playlists) with their friends. Apple certainly knows this and eventually will do it.

The iPod Touch: Yes, It Is All That

My parents gave my wife and I an iPod Touch for Christmas. I've been jonesing for one, but if I'd known how utterly cool they were, I would have done something rash months ago. Yes, I know, I know, I was just arguing a couple of weeks ago that iPods are not all that. What can I say. I've been Touched.

But in fact, an iPod Touch is not just a DAP, a lowly audio player. Sure it plays audio and it sounds good. It sounds almost as good as my incredible $14 Sansa Clip, which is saying something. But I can't imagine anyone buying it just to play music. It has much more in common with my Dash smartphone than my Clip. It is, of course, just an iPhone minus the phone. That makes it part PDA, part PMP (personal media player), part netbook, and a whole lot of eye candy. But why exactly am I geeking out?

Wireless: I got a Dell PDA several years ago that did wireless, and it blew my mind. For about 10 minutes. Then I realized it was too slow and the screen too small for it to be really usable. Same with my Dash. But the Touch has a screen just large enough to effectively browse, even if you have to squint a bit at tiny type. And the new 2G's faster 533MHz processor kicks things along pretty snappily. But one question: Where's the wireless sync?

Apps: The built-in apps are not that great, given the Touch's typical uses. They're leftovers from the iPhone. But I've just started sampling some 3rd-party apps and they some hold real promise. The most important one to me is a good reader, and Stanza is far better than any reader I have used on my other devices. I'm just waiting for a proper Adobe Reader for pdfs, which must be in the works. Even if it's no Kindle, the Touch is still a highly usable palmtop e-book reader. And games rock. Again, the Touch is no PSP, but already it is proving to be a fairly competent gaming platform. I'm this close to getting SimCity . . .

iTunes Store: I hate the iTunes software, I hate DRM-managed music, but the iTunes store is brilliant. I'll still never buy music from Apple, but they sure make it easy. I will buy applications and videos, and wow is that easy too. But what really rules are podcasts—no other player is even half as easy to catch podcasts with. As I've said before, Apple owns the market first and foremost because of iTunes, and it is very well integrated into the Touch.

Movies: Again, the large screen and snappy CPU make this a very capable movie player. It leaves my iPod Video in the dust. I fully expect to watch movies on this baby, and enjoy them. That, for me, is epochal.

Oh yeah, music: Cover flow and album art is gorgeous. The interface is slick. The sound is good, almost even great. It falls short of the warmth, roundness and detail of the Sansas, and has nothing like the Sony's booty, but it may just sound as good as any iPod ever made.

So, movies, books, music and a capable web browser, all in a device the size of a calculator. What's not to like? I'll pick at just three nits.

First, I'm disappointed that Apple has not done more to take advantage of the 2G Touch's great power and graphics during playback. No VU meters, no AV plugins, nothing but static album art, if your album has it. (If not, you get a homely stock logo screen.) This may be a powersaving measure, but you're idleing a racecar. I'm sure some 3rd party will amp this up if Apple doesn't.

Second, Apple really sticks it to you for storage. The $70 jump from 8gb to 16gb is a racket, given that an 8gb SD card is $15 retail. Really, I just flat want a microSD slot, like the Sansas and most smartphones. But Apple is effectively marketing from a monopoly, so it will never happen.

Finally, the Touch is brilliant for stationary listening, but its design just does not work well for active use, since you have to be looking at it to change tracks, etc. Apple went part way in addressing this problem when they added the external volume control to the 2G Touch. But inherent design limitations will always make it a less than ideal player for on-the-move listening. But for that they'll sell you a Nano or Shuffle.

I could grumble more, but that does not change the fact that the Touch is a watershed product. Again Apple breaks out with a product that almost creates a new segment. With the price drop, it owns its price point. They'll sell a zillion. I just can't wait to see what they come up with next.

Z2K9

As if Microsoft was not having a hard enough time marketing its (quite good) Zune player, at precisely 12:01AM today, a firmware bug crashed every Zune 30gb player on the planet. This caused some considerable panic, choking Zune help boards and, one might guess, a few Microsoft support lines. Apparently, a bug relating to leap years turned owners' Zunes into expensive bricks, with no remedy except to wait until the battery dies and 24 hours has expired. These Zunes will recommense operation on Jan. 1 of their own accord, with a fix against future beginning-of-leap-year crashes in the works. Parallels to Y2K have prompted a similar naming for this event.

This Little Piggy

The source of the piggy headphone amp has been found. It did not start life as a piggy amp at all, but as a $1.00 LED flashlight that may be found on a popular bargain hunters haunt, DealExtreme. The owner apparently converted it into a headphone amp himself. Even cooler! [Addendum: I've found out the amp inside is that cheap-fi favorite, the FiiO E3.]

Which Buds for You?

The earbuds that came with your player may suit you fine, but for most people they are far from ideal, for two reasons.

The first problem is sound quality. The basic Apple Earphones ("iBuds") are truly poor, and the old upgrade Apple In-Ear Headphones ("olives") were not much better (though the new two-driver olives are reported to be very good). To be fair, most bundled earphones are very cheap and have poor sound. An exception would be the Sony MDR-EX82 earphones that come with new high-end Sony DAPs, which sound great and are very comfortable.

The second problem is, in fact, comfort. There are three basic types of earphones. Almost all bundled earphones are earbuds, which insert into the concha ridge of the outer ears. Most people find them uncomfortable and their sound quality is uniformly poor. The alternative is earphones that insert into the ear canal, variously called ear canal headphones, in-ear monitors (IEMs) or canalphones. There is some confusion in terminology, so I will simply call them all IEMs. These provide much better sound quality than earbuds, block out much more outside noise, and are very comfortable. No buds for you. These are the 'phones to own.

Off-the-shelf IEMs come in a variety of styles and ear tip designs. The most common have rather large, round silicone tips with single flanges that nestle just in the entrance of the ear canal. There are also similar, shallow-insert foam tips that some listeners prefer. They function about the same. But some high-end IEMs have duo- or tri-flange tips than insert deeper into the ear canal. These block much more outside noise, but not everyone finds them comfortable.

Foam tips (above) and single-flange silicone tips (below)

Custom IEMs are an entirely different creature. First you must visit an audiologist and have a cast made of the inside of your ear. Then a custom plastic IEM is made from that cast that fits your ear perfectly, blocking a maximum of outside noise and positioning the speaker driver perfectly for optimal sound quality. Custom IEMs are used for on-stage sound monitoring by musicians, but are now also becoming increasingly popular among audio enthusiasts. While they can cost more than $1000, over and above the ear casting, low- and mid-priced offerings by companies like LiveWires and FREQ (review) are starting to appear.


L-R: Custom IEM, tri-flange deep insertion IEMs, and single-flange shallow insertion IEMs

In the works: Earphone and headphone reviews.

iPod = The Borg

It is both amazing and frightening how iPods have come to completely dominate the digital audio player (DAP) market. The iPod's market share has in fact fallen, from 92% in 2004 to somewhere in the mid-80th percentile today, but that still means that Apple's competitors are fighting over table scraps. In fairness, Apple probably deserves the crown on the basis of innovation, design, and ease of use, though its real stranglehold on the market has been by virtue of iTunes, the first and richest digital music marketplace.

But it is perhaps striking that audiophiles are often, if not usually, found using alternative DAPs. Many own a stack of players, and most own iPods, but they are often not preferred. Why is that?

• Value — Most head-fiers do not regard Apple as a good value, for reasons I will explain below. But it is a plain fact that, like all things Apple, you pay a premium simply for owning an iPod. It is the price of stylish design and brand prestige. And if you want to use iTunes, of course you have no other choice. Head-fiers do not use iTunes (see below), are not uniformly impressed by iPod features, and do not regard looks and brand as an overriding consideration. And purely in terms of cost, in a risky or hard use circumstance, I'd rather lose or break or have stolen a less expensive DAP than my iPod video, especially since a $15 player can sound as good or better.

• Image — Speaking of brand, there is also perhaps a tiny bit of sniffy protest in using a non-Apple DAP. iPods are sometimes seen as belly-button players for the unwashed masses, and are not technically the best. A favorite commercial review site for alternative DAPs is pointedly called anythingbutipod.com.

• Sound Quality — Most iPods have average to poor sound quality, a vital issue for head-fiers. It varies substantially from model to model, and the progression and regression is not linear, or connected to the size, expense, etc., of the model. So, for example, the original (G1) iPod shuffle, the size of a pack of chewing gum, has very good sound while the newest, largest 120gb iPod classic has poor sound. There are of course design reasons for this (that's another post), but it is a fact that Apple has never marketed its players on the basis of sound quality. And it's shrewed not to, in their position: Why invite criticism on such a concrete point? Best stick to intangibles like look, feel and style. Besides, most Pod People use nothing but their standard issue iBuds, which would make any player sound awful, so apparently sound fidelity is a non-issue for most customers. The good news is the the latest (G4) iPod nano and (G2) iPod touch have greatly improved sound quality, perhaps the best yet for a stock iPod. But alas, a humble Sandisk Sansa Clip (I just bought one for $14) sounds as good or better than the latest iPod touch. Sound quality is important to Sandisk.

• Competetive Edge — Other DAP makers work hard to compete with Apple by beating them in price, features and audio quality. This makes them highly attractive to head-fiers. My modest Sansa e250 ($30 for a refurb) is basically like a 2gb nano, but surpasses the nano in price (and how!) as well as features. It has an FM radio tuner, a microSD expansion slot, user-replaceable battery, voice recorder, supports enthusiast audio file formats like flac and ogg, and has better sound quality than my $250 iPod video.

• Customization — Many serious head-fiers modify iPods to improve their sound quality, with a line-out dock and even (if you have some serious lettuce) hi-fi hardware mods from Red Wine Audio. But one thing you cannot do, at least with more recent iPod models, is install new player firmware on your iPod, since Apple encrypts their ROMs. Open source firmware like Rockbox (Wiki article) provides user-customizable GUIs, expanded audio file formats, games and other applications, DSP effects like crossfeed, on-the-fly playlists, and a vast number of other custom features.











The Rockbox theme "Freestate":
notice how much information
can be displayed on a
nano-sized Play screen

• Alternatives to iTunes — Alternative DAPs often work with "all-you-can-eat" music subscription services like Rhapsody, which many music enthusiasts love. But beyond that, iTunes is not liked or used by head-fiers for at least two major reasons. First, most iTunes songs are encrypted with digital rights management (DRM) code, meaning you cannot play them on alternative DAPs and only on a limited number of computers. And, you have to use iTunes to manage and play your music. iTunes files are not truly purchased, but rather rented (licensed) with restrictive terms of usage, and they may expire with a nasty computer or account glitch, or at some arbitrary future date. That really could happen, and actually did happen with Microsoft customers who bought music under their old music service. MS has turned off their DRM servers and any music purchased will now be unusable if you wish to move it to another computer. In addition, standard iTunes tracks are of low quality (128 kbps AAC) compared to high-bitrate mp3s or lossless (CD quality) audio. These issues have been partly corrected by Apple, at least for part of its catalog. iTunes Plus tracks are DRM free and higher bitrate (256 kbps AAC), but still in Apple's proprietary format. The great majority of audiophiles prefer to buy and rip CDs to their players, giving them substantive ownership and complete freedom in determining music file quality and player platform. They also do not like being tethered to iTunes, to play and manage their music libraries. iTunes is a love it or hate it application, and for the PC, there are certainly better players.

No, iPods are not evil, but they are not necessarily the be-all, end-all of portable music players. Go read some reviews on anythingbutipod.com and see what you may be missing.

Head-Fi Ahoy!

Today is a first excursion into my latest hobby, head-fi. Head-Fi (upper-case) is the name of an audiophile forum, but head-fi (lower case) also refers more generally to headphone and digital audio player (DAP) audiophilia.

(Definitions: An audiophile, says Wikipedia, "is an audio reproduction enthusiast, who typically listens to music on high-end audio electronics. Audiophiles try to listen to music at a quality level that is as close to the original performance as possible." Audiophilia is therefore the love of hi-fidelity audio.)

The slogan of the Head-Fi forum is, "Welcome to Head-Fi, sorry about your wallet." Audiophiles can spend ghastly amounts of money on audio equipment (like, $600 for a one meter interconnect cable). Traditional audiophilia is centered on full-size speakers, amps, transports, etc., needed to fill a room with hi-fi music, and that much top-shelf gear is naturally quite spendy. Fortunately, filling just two ears with hi-fidelity sound costs dramatically less, and headphones can produce incredible audio. In fact, some traditional audiophiles are putting their stereo towers into storage and moving to headphones entirely.

Of course head-fiers can spend a lot in the quest for perfect audio, but in fact, surprisingly good sound can be had very cheaply. There is even a name for this, cheap-fi, and looking for great budget sound is a fun pursuit in itself. It also happens to suit my wallet, so cheap-fi is where I'm starting.

So, look forward to future excursuses on head-fi, cheap-fi, and all things hi-fidelity. And apologies in advance if I ruin the simple enjoyment of your iPod for you.

Now, a few beauty shots of some great portable music rigs from Head-Fi:


A brilliant cheap-fi rig: A Sansa Clip ($20) plugged into a FiiO E3 headphone amp ($8) with stylish Sennheiser MX90 earphones ($25)



I have no idea how it sounds, but the owner wins style points for this piggy amp



A superb sounding rig, even unamped: A Cowon D2 with a set of LiveWires in-ear monitors (IEMs) custom molded to the owner's ears. Owned by a 14 year-old . . .



A couple grand in high-end solid-state headphone amps. I'd be happy enough just with that little Hornet.