iPod directly into power amp (WHF team please?)

[Dan Turner]

I remember seeing a thread on this before, but not sure I saw a definitive answer - can the variable output of an iPod be connected directly to the input of a power amp? I think my own comment at the time was something along the lines of "I would have thought so but I wouldn't want to be the first to try!"

I've got a second system consisting of a 160gb iPod Classic, Apple iPod dock, QED J2P cable, Marantz PM4001 amp, and MA BR2 speakers. I've concluded that the amp isn't really good enough so I've been looking for Arcam Alpha 9, Delta 290 or Audiolab 8000A integrated amps second hand, but it occurred to me that I could probably save some money, and benefit from improved quality if it were possible to connect the iPod directly into a power amp.

Logic suggests this will be fine, but I'm really looking for a definitive yes from an expert before I a) take the plunge on a power amp rather than an integrated and b) have the guts to try hooking the iPod up directly!

Thanks.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes, it'll be fine in electrical safety terms, but never having tried it not sure what gain problems you'll have without a preamp in the chain to boost the signal.

A typical iPod output at the headphone jack is around 30mW, or about 0.1V, IIRC, whereas normal line-level sources should deliver around 2V, so you may find the level is too low without a further active gain stage in the chain.

So the upshot is that nothing will go bang, but I'd advise trying it first to see whether you get enough level doing things this way.

 

[Anonymous]

doesnt the cambridge audio dock have a volume control in it (using the remote) so you could use the line level out but still have control over the volume?

 

[Andrew Everard]

Well yes, a dock with its own volume control and a line-level output would make what the OP is trying to do much simpler. I assumed, perhaps erroneously, that he was suggesting connecting the player directly to the power amplifier.

 

[Dan Turner]

Thanks for the speedy reply Andrew - sorry it took me so long to come back. I'm intending to go from an Apple ipod dock to the amp via a jack to phono cable - so I assume the only control over the volume I'm getting would be via the ipod's built-in volume control?

I'll experiment with the power amp in my main system and see if the iPod's output level is sufficient. Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

Andrew Everard:Well yes, a dock with its own volume control and a line-level output would make what the OP is trying to do much simpler. I assumed, perhaps erroneously, that he was suggesting connecting the player directly to the power amplifier.
I only thought of the dock ass Dan mentioned having the apple one. Not sure if this has the same volume options as the CA one?

 

[Anonymous]

The offical dock does have a line-out connector, it is a little quieter than my CD player but not by much.

 

[SHAXOS]

I once tried to connect i pod to a bel canto s300 power amp (after i sold my pre3). It didnt work. The music came out at max volume. Admitantly this was done using a phono to jack cable.