Finally I was able to get one of these beauties. The digital dock accesses your Ipod hardisk and outputs digital data for pairing with an external DAC (hence you’re not limited by the quality of the Ipod DAC).
It does the same thing as the Wadia i170, only it’s a little less buggy, has PC/Mac connection, and comes with a better remote control. It’s also cheaper for roughly $250 (less if you buy from bluetin.com).
Of course the limitation is the 16/44.1 digital format (limited by the Ipod), so in a way, you’re spending extra money on this digital dock while a PC or laptop could’ve done a better job with a 24/96 USB DAC like the Audinst or the Dr. DAC Nano. The nice thing about this, however, is that if you want to have a separate headphone listening set up away from your computer. The Onkyo dock, coupled with a nice DAC with built in amplifier, and you’re good to go.
I’ve been using this dock for the upcoming Matrix Mini-i and Dr. DAC DX2 reviews, and it’s really a joy to use. The convenience of an Ipod, without being stuck to sitting in front of the computer.
Earfonia
FYI, iPod not only support 16b/44.1k but also 16b/48k.
Mike
That's right! The details, right? I keep on missing them. You should be writing the reviews man! You, manaox, dwinarso, thuantran, all you guys have so much knowledge.
Vincent
So Mike, by using the same files (ALAC, for example), this thing basically makes it the same between listening to the iPod and laptop? Considering using the same DAC.
Mike
Hi Vincent,
This is your question:
Ipod > Onkyo ND-S1 > External DAC A
compared to:
Laptop > External DAC A
Yes, the two are the same.
Did I understand you correctly there?
Vincent
Yes, thanks a lot Mike!!
John
Hi Mike, does it require AC power? Does it charge the iPod while in operational?
Overall compared to Wadia iTransport, which one is better in value & cheaper currently?
Thanks Mike.
Mike
Hi John,
Yes it does require a 5V walwart to run. It charges the iPod while in operational.
Overall the Onkyo is much cheaper than the Wadia ($200 vs $400), though the Wadia has better build quality. The Onkyo doesn't support older Ipods though, I think 5.5Gen is the oldest it'll support. Not sure why they put such a limit.
The nice about the Onkyo is you don't need to change the little plastic piece to accomodate different Ipods (say a Classic to a Touch), while you need to do so on the Wadia. The Wadia also doesn't work reliably when your Ipod is wearing any sort of case. On the Onkyo I can keep the rubber case on and have no problems.
Lastly the Onkyo has two digital outs (toslink and coaxial) that can work simultaneously, sending the output to two different DACs, while the Wadia only has one (coaxial).
danieeh
Hi. I´m thinking of buying the Onkyo nd-s1000 but i wonder if my iPod classic 7th would fit keeping with its case on. You say you can do it. Which case do you use? Do you have any picture?
Thank you in advance,
Daniel
Mike
Hi, I used a no brand generic case.
danieeh
Hi again,
Do you think this one would fit?
http://store.apple.com/ie-business/product/H7775ZM/A/agent18-classicshield-case-for-ipod-classic
Mike
I can’t say, sorry not from looking at the photo
.Sup
I just wanted to say I have a Nano 3G that works fine with the dock if anyone is considering this combo. The dock is one of those best price/performance devices.
Chuong
Just found that onkyo released an updated model, the ND-S1000. I just got my New ND-S1 after my lil bro fried the last and now I'm like ARRRRRGGGGHHHH. that was until I saw the 400 dollar pricetag. From what I can gather, the nd-s1000 is only an aesthetic update and made so it functions with the iphone 4 as well as the new itouches (i was under the impression that the old nd-s1 can as well). Newer aluminium case doesn't warrant my extra 200 bucks
Mike
Thanks for the info, Chuong!That seems to be a steep price for an aesthetic upgrade.
Chuong
Yeah you’re right there. Sure it looks better but the point of the nd-s1 at the time was just to provide a cheaper alternative to the wadia without compromising on sound quality. Now with the nd-s1000 takes on a different philosophy. Perhaps the psu has changed because i noticed that it requires 1.5a rather than the former 1.0a. Can you get your hands on one Mike? I wanna see a smackdown. I’m willing to bet that an external jitter clock like the monarchy DIP would make a bigger diff
Mike
You know, KingRex makes a 5V power supply that you can use with the ND-S1. I think that should help with improving the quality of the Onkyo Dock.
Also, if you're cool with making own cables, I've been using a 75ohm Belden Coax cable for the digital data, and I'm liking the result. Blacker background, cleaner separation.
On the 5V PSU, another alternative is to go DIY. I think a good PSU from AMB Labs like the Sigma11 is an interesting proposal… I haven't had the time to build one though.
I will definitely do a smackdown if I can get a unit. 🙂
Mike
Bluetin sells the ND-S1000 for double the price of the ND-S1!
http://bit.ly/fiPKxb
Mike
Here is some hi res images from Iphone.fr forums:
http://bit.ly/fWAPSi
Chuong
the price is quite ridiculous i have to say. there is no way I'd fork out double seeing as they both apparently use the same 10ppm jitter clocks (10ppm so they say). as far as i know, the only other diff is the 'works with iphone' qualification. My ip4 on 4.2.1 works perfectly on the nd-s1, why the nd-s1000. Another good PSU is the RWA black lightning although i would rather diy a sigma to my specs for the best performance rather than pay such a steep price. Audiocom also offers mods such as capacitor replacements, brass/gold rca chassis mount, bybee purifiers as well as an improved internal clock. I would however change psu first as clean power matters more. Plus an external jitter clock is preferable as they can be used with any source rather than just the dock. only thing i like about nd-s1000 is the new angular look and the metal feet. Thanks for the links
Mike
I think i'd probably start with the sigma11 and see how much of a difference it makes.
Chuong
oh and i can read french so I'm reading impressions on the nd-s1000 which have yet to be seen in english
Mike
What are they saying about the ND-S1000? Any comparisons with the ND-S1?
chuong
sorry about late reply- They haven't compared the nd-s1000 to nd-s1 but rather the same old taking digital data from the ipod- boasting about the 10ppm precision clock which many of us know is ludicrous for a product at the price point (nd-s1 boasted about this as well). The only difference as far as I can tell is that they've put on the iphone certification and that's about it other than a aesthetic revision. Hopefully it doesn't feel as flimsy as the nd-s1 but my hopes aren't high
Mike
Thanks for the impressions.I'd probably put the money for the better PSU unit.
Chuong
The DAC-1000 also looks like an interesting product, perhaps you can compare it to other DAC's if you can get your hands on it. It's been some time since onkyo has made products departing from the HT paradigm.
Mike
Everybody is making DACs these days. =/
Chuong
Oh btw i would NOT trust bluetin japan. They screwed me over. Read my thread
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/533472/bad-ex…
Mike
Thanks for sharing, Chuong. I wasn't aware of the issue.
P. J.
I have to comment as I really like this device. Have it for a while and a couple months ago I also decided to purchase a better power supply for it. I contacted Shaun from custom hifi cables.uk if he could make me one (he was only making cables at the time, and now he is selling PSU too and I’m happy for him, he’s a very good and honest guy). Btw Shaun made me a custom dual PSU for ND-s1 and DacMagic in one enclosure). Mike I wanted to paste my thoughts which I posted on some other site here but fonts were invisible, only when highlighted they were visible, like a spoiler.
And here are a couple images if anyone is interested: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sups_photos/sets/72157625888330472/
To summon: the sound is less harsh as the PSU has a conditioner inside. Before it was more aggressive. Not necessarily a bad thing and I had to adjust to the new sound but if you want a more relaxed sound then maybe you want to look into upgrading ND-S1’s PSU.
kindest regards, Peter
Anonymous
Hi Peter,
I was quite sure that a better power supply would make the Onkyo an even better sounding transport. I just haven’t had the time, or the will to build a power supply for it.
Thanks for sharing your findings though. Appreciate it.
I just saw the pictures on your flickr. Damn that’s a very clean looking PSU box, likewise the Onkyo and Dacmagic set up — looks very clean.
Now where is the headphone amplifier?
P. J.
Hehe thanks for the compliment Mike. I don’t have much photos of amps but here is one http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1429/5099807977_029e3792e3_z.jpg
😀
Anonymous
Nice set up! What’s with the all-silver audio gear? Do I see a HD800
connector plugged to the Auditor?
P. J.
I just don’t like dark stuff, its depressing 😀
The only piece of black gear I have is Audio GD Ref5
Yes its HD800
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5014409896_b9d6574201_z.jpg
Anonymous
I actually wish they make the HD800 in an all-black look. I bet it’ll be
kickass.
Come to think of it, I probably should try painting my Hd800 all-black.
Jason
uMMM what!?!
How could a PSU influence the sound of the digital transport? The only job this , or Wadia or Pure i-20 does is take the 1’s and 0’s of the music and shoot it digitally to the DAC. There is no sound processing involved.Now if the PSU was faulty and causing the stream to cut in and out, that still doesn’t affect the sound other than it being like a record skipping. But to say a PSU or for some suggesting a cable on a digital stream influences the sound, rubbish.
sisprod
Hi mike
Can these itransport used with imod? Because i heard the imod need lod with caps to run normaly without noise
Thanks
Mike
Honestly I can’t remember if I’ve used them with an Imod. The lack of caps shouldn’t matter in theory since you’re tapping digital data (the caps are for analog signals). What I’m thinking is if the ND-S1 supports 5.5th or 5th gen Ipods. If it does, then your Imod should run just fine.
P. J.
I just wanted to share my finding that the new iPad also works perfectly using Cable Jive’s extender cord with ND-S1.
Mike
Thanks for sharing, P.J.