I have been listening to it during my 25-minute commute to Idée for a few weeks and it is pure mind-bending genius. Scientific streams of consciousness flow beautifully along singular themes like Deception or Laughter. As if the content of the show was not engaging enough, the sound construction is dizzying. Field recordings scrambled with interviews, narrative, musical punctuations all serving the show’s theme beautifully. Seriously, you have to listen to this podcast. And because it’s such a sonic experience, I really do recommend grabbing the best pair of headphones you can get your hands on to best enjoy the ride.

What’s the best sound system for playing MP3s?

I have heard these in person, and can confidently claim that for both iPods, computer playback or any audio really, you won’t find a bigger bang for your buck than the AudioEngine A5 speakers. Designed by a team of former Apple, Gibson and Alesis audio experts, the A5 speakers have all the qualities of a great bookshelf speaker, but have an amplifier built right into them. Maybe Steve with throw out his iPod Hi-fi and get a pair of these.

Though the team originally set out to create speakers for sound mixing professionals, they quickly realized that with tuning, and extras like a USB port to keep MP3 players charged, their speakers would be the best system available. It’s an interesting story and the reviews are piling up.

If you’re in Toronto, Audio Oasis on Queen East has them for $389 (which is $60 less than Computer Systems Centre).

Should I be using the iPod headphone jack to send audio to the speakers?

Not really. Technically, the headphone jack is intended for headphones, not sending sound to a stereo. To get the best sound you would need a line-level signal, which is less powerful than a headphone signal. Apple sells [docks](http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=MB125G/A ) for the iPod that provide a line-level signal, but even though they claim to be universal, they don’t work out-of-the-box with every iPod out there.

A more compact, compatible and economical solution is the SendStation Line Out USB. With one of these, you can keep your A5’s happy with a line-level signal, and your iPod charged via USB.

Can I play my iTunes on a sound system in another room?

Yes, and using the Multiple Speaker option in iTunes, you can even play the same music in multiple rooms. Probably the most affordable option is Apple’s AirPort Express. It’s been around a few years now and is for sale second-hand often for as low as $40. It works natively with iTunes and there’s software available called Airfoil that lets you send sound from any running application on your Mac. A nice design feature of the A5 speaker is that the AirPort express cradles right onto the back of one of the speakers, and also plug in for power.

Does the AirPort Express provide hi-fi grade sound?

Good question. Yes, and no. The device has it’s own built in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) which is rumored to be okay, but not great. Luckily you can even get a digital signal out of it which Stereophile magazine says allows it to assume a respectable role in a true high-end audio system. All you need is a TOSLINK cable and mini-adapter. Pretty smart.

Once you do, and only if you really want to get fancy, take a look at Hong Kong exceptionally well thought-out iBasso D1.

This incredible little device which can optionally be powered by battery can serve a variety of functions.

Inputs:

1. Digital optical (TOSLINK from AirPort Express, DVD player or maybe even your computer)
2. USB (from your computer)
3. Digital coax (from an older DVD or CD player)
4. Analog minijack (like from the iPod)

Outputs:

1. Headphone (big ones that an iPod is too weak to handle)
2. Analog minijack (a stereo, or powered speakers)

So you can take a digital signal from basically any source and and play it through headphones too big for the iPod, or go right into speakers like the A5s. You can even use it along with the iPods line out to drive stubborn headphones too.

Can I use my iPhone/iPod Touch to play music from my Mac upstairs on the A5 speakers downstairs?

Yes, thanks to one of the coolest pieces of shareware for sale today, Remote Buddy. It runs on your Mac and makes it browseable on the web, specifically designed for Safari on the iPhone/iPod Touch.

I have been a Remote Buddy user for some time, while I don’t yet have an iPhone (oligopoly anyone?) I have been using it to power the normally useless white remote that comes bundled with Macs. It actually makes the little clicker quite handy. The iPhone functionality was just thrown into it, although I think they should have created a separate product line.

Do MP3s sound good enough?

Definitely not for a system like this.

I have a tenuous familial connection to banjo maestro Jayme Stone and desperately needed a digital version of his latest album The Utmost after having heard some tracks online. Zunior does not carry this album so I looked elsewhere.

Loosely connected to indie music store CD Baby, I came across a Latvian site called Music is Here. The site lacks a solid design, Paypal and contact information and that almost kept me away from making the purchase. I’m glad I was not deterred. It’s a great album and downloaded nicely in FLAC format, although they provide downloads in more formats than I can list. I have converted it to Apple Lossless and it’s taking up a sizeable chunk of my 4B Nano.

UPDATE: As expected a $10.63 charge for the album appeared on my credit card statement.

This iPod-friendly version of the original TTC Subway Rider Efficiency Guide indicates where the escalators are located for a faster exit. Instead of printing the guide and carrying it around, you can use your photo-capable iPod, or other device, to save vast seconds of your life.

• TTC Subway Rider Efficiency Guide for iPod (552K ZIP)

Simply unzip, mount your iPod, and copy the guide into the Photos folder of your photo view iPod.

Thanks to gang at ttcrider for making these maps to begin with! Feel free to check out my other iPod guides.

• Download and unzip NOW Restaurant Guide for iPod (ZIP, 400K)
• In iTunes, enable disk use for iPod
• Connect your iPod (2002 model or newer)
• Copy the Guide into your Notes folder
• Unmount iPod
• Browse to Extras » Notes
• Wait for it to load
• Select NOW Reviews
• Read’em and eat!

Content by NOW Magazine. Programming by (my Python hero) Jakub Labath. Concept and design (if you can call it that) by me.

If you are new to iPod Notes, check out some of my other creations:

• Foodland Ontario Produce Availability Guide for your iPod
• Sustainable Seafood Guide for iPod

1. Download the iPod Notes Version (ZIP)
2. In iTunes, enable disk use.
3. Copy the Guide into your Notes folder.
4. Unmount iPod.
5. Browse to Extras » Notes » Ontario Produce
6. Read the Read Me file
7. Eat Local!

If you would like easier access to the Notes you can do so in:

iPod » Settings » Main Menu » Notes (turn on)

Enjoy! Source: Excel (ZIP)