'Classic iPod Hackers Say There’s No Better Way to Listen to Music'

[PeterFranks]

I know what you mean, I have a Gen 5.5 with the Wolfson DAC, and a Gen 6 with the Cirrus Logic DAC. They do sound a bit different with the Gen 5.5 having a little warmer and fuller tonal balance, and the Gen. 6 a little cooler and leaner but perhaps a touch more detailed sounding, but they are not radically different from each other, to my ear they are more alike than dissimilar.

I'd also wonder if any sonic difference is truly the DAC chip itself, or something else such as a different opamp, or the sum total of several small changes between the two models.

You make an excellent point in your last sentence. Different companies make different DACs and have different specs for similar performance chips (personally I always liked the Burr Brown/TI stuff found in "Made In Japan" CD players from the late-80s). Regardless of how good the DACs are, as important are the op amps, power supply, caps, etc. and the overall circuit design. I know there are folks out there way smarter than me who have analyzed the circuits and done a compare and contrast ad nauseam. Also, what is your music source (MP3, AAC, Lossless, etc.) and what headphones are you using? My brain hurts.

But I agree with you on the general differences between the two. Personally I like the more detailed sound of the Gen 6. I plug in my Sony MDR-V6 headphones and gotta say, the music sounds amazing.

would be interested to know what others use for headphones/earbuds with their iPods.

 

[prime minister]

What does a good used iPod fetch nowadays? I kinda like the idea of an unconnected to the interwebs device being attached to my 1940s radio.

 

[prime minister]

Your call but I don't mind leaving the post here. There is other good complementary information.

We aim to please. Whatever works for you.

 

[adaug]

What does a good used iPod fetch nowadays? I kinda like the idea of an unconnected to the interwebs device being attached to my 1940s radio.

i too was wondering the same thing. i believe that the 160gb was the biggest - the prices are very reasonable by today's standards:

Used ipod 160gb for Sale | HifiShark.com

Used Ipod 160Gb for sale on 300+ second hand hifi sites & shops. Use Hifi Shark to monitor pricing and global availability

www.hifishark.com

 

[PeterFranks]

What does a good used iPod fetch nowadays? I kinda like the idea of an unconnected to the interwebs device being attached to my 1940s radio.

oh my - prices are all over the place depending on which model you get - as Adaug says, prices are very reasonable. IMO, the Classic Gen 6 and 7s seem to be most expensive but also have the most storage - roughly $125 range. The Classic 4th Gen at 20GB can be had $30-50US. I think the 1st/2nd Gen Mini is a great deal - $15-$35US and very easy/affordable to up-grade the 4/6GB HDD to larger flash drives. Kinda just depends on your fancy.

However ... I'm seeing a ton of stuff coming out of China - It looks like NOS, but I'm not sure - there is too much of it. There are endless aftermarket iPod parts being made in China and I'm wondering if some/most of these iPods are just built up from some genuine Apple parts and lots of aftermarket. As always, buyer beware when buying out of China. I personally have no interest in those items.

A note on NOS/unopened iPods for sale - seems to be many genuine out there, but if they are truly NOS, good chance the battery is bad by now and will need replacing. I prefer to buy used that I know is working, and then go from there.

 

[MikeyFresh]

What does a good used iPod fetch nowadays?

In terms of the ones that can be modified (Gen. 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, and 7) it will come down to whether it even works or not (dead battery, bad LCD screen/logic board, etc), original HDD storage size, the cosmetic condition, and the last bit that is both rare and adds significant value is the presence of the original accessories and packaging.

Some years ago when I was modding a few of these units, I paid $65 for a nice but not mint Gen. 5 iPod "Video" (30GB), and $75 for a Gen. 6 iPod "Classic" (80GB) that needed a new LCD screen which was a $15 part, among various others (one other Gen. 5.5 that I gave to a friend, and several iPod minis too).

With eBay it's also what the seller is willing to let it go for, like anything else there. In my case I was new to eBay at that time and only willing to deal with sellers that had 99-100% ratings, and I was also only bidding on units I thought were not beaten to death looking, even though I was going to update them including new front/back panels, I wanted to at least start with something that looked like it had been taken care of.

I guess the other strategy is to buy a beater in non-working condition for cheap knowing you will do a complete refurb on it anyway, however the risk there is that the logic board is no good, something you wouldn't know until receiving it, and at least beginning the restoration process. I wasn't willing to risk that and so I really only looked at units described as in working order, and very good cosmetic condition, the one exception being the Gen. 6 unit that needed a new LCD screen.

They may be priced significantly higher or lower these days, I haven't checked in a long while.

 

[mhardy6647]

I have to remember to take a photo of the iPod my kids gave me for Christmas many years ago. You'll see why if and when I do.

I am embarrassed to say I've hardly ever used it. It was just too tedious for me, and I really don't like listening via headphones, especially the in-ear kind. Used it the car occasionally, but still felt like more trouble than it was worth. And then there was that whole iTunes thing...

It was a really nice and thoughtful gift from the kids, though, which is why I do feel bad about having barely ever used it.

I have a cheap little media player (FiiO M3) that I use with a dump-find pair of NXT flat speakers for night-time Christmas music when we go to bed... umm... this time of year. I found a little Java-based app for Windows that someone wrote which makes it way easier to put together a playlist than using the rudimentary interface on the thing.
but I digress...

 

[MikeyFresh]

I think the 1st/2nd Gen Mini is a great deal - $15-$35US and very easy/affordable to up-grade the 4/6GB HDD to larger flash drives.

You said it, smaller and easier to pocket than a Classic sized iPod, and the HDD cable has the exact pinout of a Compact Flash memory card.

Mine cost $12 on eBay, and is now a 128GB (119GB formatted) iFlash mini (using a CF → SD adapter).



The only limitation is there's no room at all inside for a larger than stock battery.

 

[PeterFranks]

Picked mine up for coffee money - clean Gen 1 Mini. Bad battery. Replaced battery and installed 128GB micro-SD card I had in my desk. Although no room for larger battery the move to SSD should help on battery life. The Microdrives still impress me - so cool. This 4GB still works (next to iPod nano). I went microSD --> SD card adaptor --> CF adaptor.

 

[PeterFranks]

iPod Classic 6th Gen (with box and goodies) (repost) and iPod Nano 6th Gen (with box and goodies).

The Nano was advertised as "NOS" and upon receiving, it appeared to be. I bought it with the realization the battery could be shot and sure enough the battery was 100% dead and would not hold a charge. Upon removal, the battery was swollen. New battery installed and back into use. On these, you have to go in thru the display to get to the battery. Sounds daunting but is actually pretty straight forward and with a couple techniques is an easy repair. My one and only iPod Touchscreen device.

 

[prime minister]

I wonder how something like this would be:

Apple iPod Video Classic 5th Generation 30GB - Black (MA446LL) - New Battery | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPod Video Classic 5th Generation 30GB - Black (MA446LL) - New Battery at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Or this:

1 Day Auction! MINT (80 GB) Black 6th Generation iPod Classic 80GB | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1 Day Auction! MINT (80 GB) Black 6th Generation iPod Classic 80GB at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Or this:

Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Tested Read | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Tested Read at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Or this:

Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Excellent Condition | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Excellent Condition at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

 

[MikeyFresh]

I wonder how something like this would be:

Apple iPod Video Classic 5th Generation 30GB - Black (MA446LL) - New Battery | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPod Video Classic 5th Generation 30GB - Black (MA446LL) - New Battery at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Or this:

1 Day Auction! MINT (80 GB) Black 6th Generation iPod Classic 80GB | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1 Day Auction! MINT (80 GB) Black 6th Generation iPod Classic 80GB at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Or this:

Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Tested Read | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Tested Read at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

Or this:

Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Excellent Condition | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Apple iPod Classic, 5th Generation, 80GB A1238 - Silver - Excellent Condition at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

This gets a little tough to identify the exact version on offer when the seller lists only the Model #, which Apple confusingly reused across more than one variant.

The only way to know the exact version is by what Apple called the Order #, which is displayed when selecting the "About" in the iPod's menu screen.

Why is that relevant? Because Apple locked down the Gen. 6, and 6.5 variants of the Classic to only address a maximum of 128GB (120GB formatted) by using LBA28 in the firmware.

Anyone looking to modify an iPod with greater than 128GB of storage space needs to use either the previous version Gen. 5, or Gen. 5.5 (neither of which was called Classic despite many folks assigning it that name in error), or the final Gen. 7 version of the Classic, both of which use LBA48 and are not subject to the 128GB storage limitation.

Beyond the physical storage limit described above, there are also limits to the number of tracks that can be added to the library due to RAM limitations on the logic board. The Tarkan iFlash site sorts this out pretty well:

Model Description	Order No.	iTunes Storage Limit (see note below)
5th Gen 30Gb	MA002 / MA146 / PA002 / PA146	~20,000 Tracks
5th Gen 60Gb	MA003 / MA147 / PA003 / PA147	~50,000 Tracks
5.5th Gen 30Gb	MA444 / MA446 / PA444 / PA446 / MA664	~20,000 Tracks
5.5th Gen 80Gb	MA448 / MA450 / PA448 / PA450	~50,000 Tracks
6th Gen 80Gb	MB029 / MB147 / PB029	128Gb / ~50,000 Tracks
6th Gen 160Gb	MB145 / MB150 / PB145 / PB150	128Gb / ~50,000 Tracks / Requires Ribbon
6.5th Gen 120Gb	MB565 / PB565 / MB562 / PB562	128Gb / ~50,000 Tracks
7th Gen 160Gb	PC297 / MC297 / PC293 / MC293	~50,000 Tracks

Unfortunately eBay sellers often don't list the exact variant, or do so in error as in the last listing you've linked to above, that is not a Gen. 5 as described in the headline, MB029 as described in the details section reveals it's a Gen. 6, which also jibes with what is pictured.

 

[PeterFranks]

nice compilation. personally, those 6th and 7th generation iPods are powerhouses. Huge storage, great sound, go-anywhere portable music. All metal housing makes them durable.

 

[adaug]

This gets a little tough to identify the exact version on offer when the seller lists only the Model #, which Apple confusingly reused across more than one variant.

The only way to know the exact version is by what Apple called the Order #, which is displayed when selecting the "About" in the iPod's menu screen.

Why is that relevant? Because Apple locked down the Gen. 6, and 6.5 variants of the Classic to only address a maximum of 128GB (120GB formatted) by using LBA28 in the firmware.

Anyone looking to modify an iPod with greater than 128GB of storage space needs to use either the previous version Gen. 5, or Gen. 5.5 (neither of which was called Classic despite many folks assigning it that name in error), or the final Gen. 7 version of the Classic, both of which use LBA48 and are not subject to the 128GB storage limitation.

Beyond the physical storage limit described above, there are also limits to the number of tracks that can be added to the library due to RAM limitations on the logic board. The Tarkan iFlash site sorts this out pretty well:

Model Description	Order No.	iTunes Storage Limit (see note below)
5th Gen 30Gb	MA002 / MA146 / PA002 / PA146	~20,000 Tracks
5th Gen 60Gb	MA003 / MA147 / PA003 / PA147	~50,000 Tracks
5.5th Gen 30Gb	MA444 / MA446 / PA444 / PA446 / MA664	~20,000 Tracks
5.5th Gen 80Gb	MA448 / MA450 / PA448 / PA450	~50,000 Tracks
6th Gen 80Gb	MB029 / MB147 / PB029	128Gb / ~50,000 Tracks
6th Gen 160Gb	MB145 / MB150 / PB145 / PB150	128Gb / ~50,000 Tracks / Requires Ribbon
6.5th Gen 120Gb	MB565 / PB565 / MB562 / PB562	128Gb / ~50,000 Tracks
7th Gen 160Gb	PC297 / MC297 / PC293 / MC293	~50,000 Tracks

Unfortunately eBay sellers often don't list the exact variant, or do so in error as in the last listing you've linked to above, that is not a Gen. 5 as described in the headline, MB029 as described in the details section reveals it's a Gen. 6, which also jibes with what is pictured.

where can the model number be found?

 

[MikeyFresh]

where can the model number be found?

You need the Order #, as stated above Apple re-used the same Model # across several different variants, and so the Model # is just not good enough, only the Order # will reveal exactly what it is.

I don't have an iPod in front of me right now, however in the unit's on-screen displayed menu, there is a selection for "About" or something to that effect. There you will see both the Model #, and more importantly the Order #.

I believe that should also appear laser etched on the unit's chromed back cover, however many people who did not use a case with their iPod managed to scratch and scrape that away to the extent it is no longer legible.

 

[PeterFranks]

question - looking for a battery for an iPod shuffle - 3rd gen. they seem to be fairly scarce. Any suggestions on where to source one?
thanks in advance!

 

[MikeyFresh]

question - looking for a battery for an iPod shuffle - 3rd gen. they seem to be fairly scarce. Any suggestions on where to source one?
thanks in advance!

That's the tiny rectangular shaped one?

 

[PeterFranks]

That's the tiny rectangular shaped one?

yep. I found the battery at a couple places (one in the US) but was wondering if you had a source your could recommend. TIA

 

[MikeyFresh]

yep. I found the battery at a couple places (one in the US) but was wondering if you had a source your could recommend. TIA

Amazon has multiple listings, but what's strange is they all claim the same battery fits both the Gen. 2 and Gen. 3 Shuffle, which would seem odd given the size/shape difference.

The reality is any 3.7 volt battery that fits in the available space without getting squashed when you reassemble it should work. PIA this unit requires both the old battery to be de-soldered, and the new one soldered onto tiny battery terminals. Got a magnifier (or young eyes) and steady hands?

 

[PeterFranks]

Amazon has multiple listings, but what's strange is they all claim the same battery fits both the Gen. 2 and Gen. 3 Shuffle, which would seem odd given the size/shape difference.

The reality is any 3.7 volt battery that fits in the available space without getting squashed when you reassemble it should work. PIA this unit requires both the old battery to be de-soldered, and the new one soldered onto tiny battery terminals. Got a magnifier (or young eyes) and steady hands?

yeah I saw the same listings on Amazon - they're wrong. The Gen 3 has the long flex assembly that solders to the logic board - not the same. I found a seller in L.A. that has the proper battery - might take a chance.

I've got a nice soldering station and magnification so not concerned about that part. The bugger is finding the batt.