Out of the iPods I've owned (4th, 5th, 5.5, Classic, mini, 2nd gen Nano, 4th and 5th gen Nano, and a 2nd gen touch, I felt the touch had the best sound with my preferred brand of earphones, Etymotic.
The touch had the Cirrus DAC, as does the Classic, which I feel suffers from a weak headphone output. The touch seemed to have the strongest headphone output.
The touch had the Cirrus DAC, as does the Classic, which I feel suffers from a weak headphone output. The touch seemed to have the strongest headphone output.