Review of the i-deck iPod Music System by Monitor Audio

[Audioholics]

<A href="http://www.audioholics.com/productreviews/loudspeakers/MonitorAudioideckreview1.php"><IMG style="WIDTH: 125px; HEIGHT: 82px" alt=[monitoraudioideck] hspace=10 src="http://www.audioholics.com/news/thumbs/monitoraudioideck_th.jpg" align=left border=0></A>Consumer gadgets come and go but few have much of a lasting impression. Then there are those few that do. Like the Sony Walkman before it, the Apple iPod has achieved iconic status in our pop culture. When something achieves the status level of the iPod, it creates a ripple effect in the aftermarket accessory marketplace. From FM transmitters to arm bands there is a plethora of merchandise one can go broke on after you have purchased your iPod. One such category is that of amplified speakers and docking stations. One of these is the i-deck from Monitor Audio. Read on to get the details.

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[rtcp]

I found that product a little while ago, and Monitor Audio had claimed that the i-deck used its own DAC. As far as I know, the iPod doesn't have an S/PDIF output within its 30-pin connector(I don't know all that much about PCM digital audio, but S/PDIF is the standard, right?). I tried e-mailing Monitor Audio, and they did not respond, but it appears that they no longer make that claim. A quick google search will verify this claim, however.

 

[BGLeduc]

rtcp,

You are correct that iDeck does NOT connect digitally to iPod. There was a review in HT Magazine, as well as at AVGuide Monthly (now defunct, IIRC) that made the claim, as did most of the ad copy.

But the US rep for Monitor sent a follow-up letter to AVGuide stating that this was not so, and that iDeck uses the analog connection from the dock connector.

If the suthor happens to be looking in here, I have a question.

Is it true that the iPods EQ works via the dock connection? I am pretty sure that my 3g 40g unit does not support Eq via the dock connector line out. Perhaps newer units do support this, but if not, the only way to effect any sort of EQ would be to connect via the headphone jack through the rear line in, which really defeats a lot of the cool features of the iDeck.

Brian

 

[jeffsg4mac]

rtcp,


If the suthor happens to be looking in here, I have a question.

Is it true that the iPods EQ works via the dock connection? I am pretty sure that my 3g 40g unit does not support Eq via the dock connector line out. Perhaps newer units do support this, but if not, the only way to effect any sort of EQ would be to connect via the headphone jack through the rear line in, which really defeats a lot of the cool features of the iDeck.

Brian

That is a good question, I have never tested it. I will see if I can get an answer for you.

 

[BGLeduc]

That is a good question, I have never tested it. I will see if I can get an answer for you.

My mistake...it does work. The volume control does not affect the dock output, but the EQ does work.

Sorry about that!

Brian