Wadia 170iTransport

Pros: Ease of use and enhanced sound quality.

Cons: Limited functionality of remote control.

Summary: I love this product because of what it does to the Ipod itself - it makes the Ipod sound quality rival those of CDs in a hi-fi stereo or H/T system by outputting pure digital data from the Ipod (thus bypassing the Ipod's inferior DAC) and sending the signal to the digital input of an outboard DAC, A/V receiver, or a preamp/processor where the conversion to an analog signal can be done. Since dedicated DACs and most receivers' on boad DACs are far superior to the Ipod's internal DAC, the sound quality is much, much, much better.

I used to have an Onkyo DS A2 dock hooked up to my receiver (Onkyo TX-SR 705) and I must admit that the sound quality was terrible. This is because the DS A2 dock simply transmitted the analog signal created by the Ipod's onboard DAC.

After purchasing the Wadia and hooking it to the receiver's digital input, I noticed a significant improvement in sound quality. This is because the Onkyo's on-board DAC was doing the digital to analog conversion, not the Ipod.

The sound quality got even better (CD quality) when I got myself a dedicated outboard DAC (PS Audio Cullen-modified DL III). Now, I'm extremely happy that I can enjoy transparent, detailed music in my system using my little Ipod nano.