Article
Using iPod’s line out to connect to your stereo
By Kirk McElhearn
Contributing Editor
Published: Saturday, February 26, 2005
Articles Categories: Ask iLounge, Accessories
Ask iLounge offers readers the opportunity to get answers to their iPod-, iPhone-, iPad-, iTunes-, or Apple TV-related questions from a member of the iLounge editorial team. We'll answer several questions here each week, and of course, you can always get help with more immediate concerns from the iLounge Discussion Forums. Submit your questions for consideration using our Ask iLounge Submit Form. We reserve the right to edit questions for grammar, spelling, and length.
Q: When I plug my 20 GB iPod into my Sony home theater system, I have to turn the iPod volume to its highest setting as well as turning up the volume on the Sony amp in order to hear only a moderate increase. What’s wrong?
- Jeffrey
A: There are a few things to know about using the iPod with a stereo. First, the iPod’s volume from the headphone jack is attenuated; if you have a Dock, it is best to put the iPod in the Dock, then connect it to the stereo using the line-out jack. The Dock’s output gives you a higher level of volume, though you won’t be able to change the volume from the iPod; it is fixed, and adjustable only through your stereo at that point.
Second, make sure you have connected your iPod to a low-impedance input on the stereo, such as the AUX or Phono input. These inputs expect lower power than from, say, a CD player or a tuner, and amplify the sound more.
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1
Do NOT connect your iPod to Phono inputs. Phono inputs expect a very low volume level (ie what comes from a record player) but also apply equalization settings to the signal (the RIAA curve), as records have naturally low bass and high treble:
http://www.tanker.se/lidstrom/riaa.htm
All other inputs on your receiver (AV/AUX/CD/Tape) are likely the same use any of them.
If you don’t have a dock, it’s likely that you’ll have to turn the iPod up to about 95% to get a line level signal. That’s completely normal.
Posted by mattwardfh in Texas on February 26, 2005 at 9:18 AM (PST)
2
If my computer is full how do i get my ipod to keep the songs even though i don’t have them on my computer any more
Posted by SJMcdaniel in Austin TX on February 26, 2005 at 6:30 PM (PST)
3
My Computer crashed, My music is not in my Itunes anymore, but I still have it on my ipod, how can I get my music back on my computer without losing it?
Posted by Catwal in New York on February 27, 2005 at 5:56 AM (PST)
4
Catwal, if you’re running a Mac, you should download iPod Rip. Worth it!
Posted by burnsbrightest on February 27, 2005 at 8:36 AM (PST)
5
catwal, if you’re running a mac, you can also try broken helix, which is completely free!
Posted by yinyang on February 28, 2005 at 3:23 AM (PST)
6
SJMcdaniel: You need to set your iPod to one of the “Manual sync” modes as outlined in this iPod 201 article:
http://www.ipodlounge.com/articles_more.php?id=5029_0_8_0_M
Posted by AndyH in Berwyn, PA on February 28, 2005 at 7:33 AM (PST)
7
Does anyone know how to print out just the album names? I want a list of all the albums I have in Itunes but I don’t want it on 80 pages with all the songs. I just want the artist and album name. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Posted by Richiefar in Spain on March 3, 2005 at 9:40 AM (PST)