The iPod accepts other formats in addition to the lossy, protected AAC sold in the iTunes store. It can hold Apple lossless and AIFF files, which include all the original data. Really, the only thing holding the iPod back from becoming a top shelf digital source is the quality of its analog output. Other companies, such as Red Wine Audio and MSB, have addressed this issue. Red Wine has chosen to improve the circuitry, whereas MSB bypasses it altogether and outputs the digital signal. The MSB solution is very expensive; so much so, in fact, that I'd much rather have a Slim Devices Transporter for the same money.

To answer your question, no, I've not heard the iTube. The iPod to me is much more about portability, and I have no intention of using it as a source (although I do have a cable to connect it to my stereo for when the mood strikes me). I feel like I can accomplish much more by creating a music server system, and I've done just that. I run lossless files on my iMac through an Apple Airport Express and into an Audio Alchemy DDE v1.2 I bought on eBay. It's a reasonably priced thing to do, and it sounds excellent, although perhaps not quite capturing the smooth tonal quality of my NAD CD player.

I'm a college student and I use my iPod often, but I think there are better things on which to spend money than a hi-fi iPod dock, even if those tubes do look super snazzy.

I'm sure Stephen will fill us in on his experience with the Red Wine iMod when he receives it. I'm personally very interested in hearing about it.

There is a whole bunch of discussion about it on Head-fi This is just one thread, if you do a search on the "Amplification" forums, you'll find a number of discussions.

Quote:
The iPod accepts other formats in addition to the lossy, protected AAC sold in the iTunes store. It can hold Apple lossless and AIFF files, which include all the original data. Really, the only thing holding the iPod back from becoming a top shelf digital source is the quality of its analog output. Other companies, such as Red Wine Audio and MSB, have addressed this issue. Red Wine has chosen to improve the circuitry, whereas MSB bypasses it altogether and outputs the digital signal. The MSB solution is very expensive; so much so, in fact, that I'd much rather have a Slim Devices Transporter for the same money.

Hi Rich,

Erik is correct... you can rip your CDs onto your computer with no compression (WAV files) or lossless compression (Apple Lossless) using iTunes. I load my music onto my modded iPod as WAV files. Apple Lossless is just as good (as the music is converted back to the WAV file upon playback), but WAV is compatible with everything (e.g. my Olive Music Server).

Getting back to your question, I have not heard or used the FatMan, but I believe it is essential Dared tube-amp (I forgot the model) unit with built-in iPod dock. Keep in mind that you can use the audio line-out of an iPod with a cable that converts to RCA plugs and feed it into any preamp or audio amplifier with built-in volume control. In other words, you are not limited to only using a FatMan tube amp with your iPod

Best regards,

Vinnie

Yes. We run a  Fatman I tube

sytem:

Fatman Itube

Rotel 9658X CD player    

 Cambridge Audio Dac Magic 

 Atlas connectors

High grade unbranded  speaker cable

Tannoy Mercury F3  

Good points; Vocals sound so different than integrated amplifiers. 

aseticly  pleasing. Great eye candy, The wife will love it 

Always a Talking point with guest when they see it. Intrigued by the valves. 

step up the ladder to high quality hi fi 

Valves should ever you need to replace. there price of a packet of cigarettes on EBay

No bad points really only We so used to leaving Amplifiers on permanently. Because there in constant use. 

The I tube we turn of because were a bit scared of damaging the valves. 

We are not sure of the output whether its 12 watts a side or 25