CrunchGear

Of course, both the MP3 format and Fairplay-enabled AAC compress all the interesting parts out of the audio so it’ll sound like crap for anything other than AIFF…

This may be true, MP3 compression does knock out a lot of audio. However, the tube amplification will add it’s own inherent sound to the files which will add some warmth to the sound. Also, with the additional inputs this amplifier is a lot more versital then many other iPod docks. On another note, this amplifier may be a key component in bringing high end audio back to where it used to be. Ever since digital media became as portable as it is today the high end audio industry has suffered greatly. Perhaps this dock will act as transition between portable crappy digital media and high end audio. Besides, many audiophiles who turned to the digital media realm are using uncompressed files.

Well, the Roth MC4 is actually a hybrid integrated amp, using vacuum tube PREAMPLIFICATION. But the output stage doesn’t use tubes, it’s solid-state (transistors), and there’s no internal power supply. So it’s not a 100% tube amp, like an old McIntosh C8 or Dynaco ST-70, but rather a hybrid integrated amp.

However, it seems to be made rather well, especially compared to the iPod docking competition. As long as you used uncompressed audio files it should sound pretty good, too. Good enough for those who use iPods for audio sources, anyway! And, you can get them for $500 now, which is much better.