iPod iPod Shuffle 1st gen vs 4th gen

[allan]

I currently have an iPod Shuffle 1st generation. With iTunes it automatically converts all higher bit rate songs to 128 kbps AAC when I sync it. However, I'd like to be able to select 256 kbps AAC if I could for better sound quality.

Is this possible with the latest iPod Shuffles (4th generation)? Or does iTunes limit the 4th generation Shuffles to 128 kbps AAC on-the-fly conversions as well? I know with my iPhone and iPad I can select 256 kbps AAC as an option, but I am very attached to the Shuffle form-factor for its simplicity, and it is my portable playback device of choice these days.

Also, I love the sound quality of my 1st generation Shuffle. It sounds fantastic. Does the 4th generation Shuffle come close to the sound quality of the 1st generation Shuffle?

 

[California]

I currently have an iPod Shuffle 1st generation. With iTunes it automatically converts all higher bit rate songs to 128 kbps AAC when I sync it. However, I'd like to be able to select 256 kbps AAC if I could for better sound quality.

Is this possible with the latest iPod Shuffles (4th generation)? Or does iTunes limit the 4th generation Shuffles to 128 kbps AAC on-the-fly conversions as well? I know with my iPhone and iPad I can select 256 kbps AAC as an option, but I am very attached to the Shuffle form-factor for its simplicity, and it is my portable playback device of choice these days.

Also, I love the sound quality of my 1st generation Shuffle. It sounds fantastic. Does the 4th generation Shuffle come close to the sound quality of the 1st generation Shuffle?

Don't know about the 256 kpbs for first gen shuffles, but I do know back in the day the 1st gens boasted having a sound card that was better than the bigger iPods.

 

[Thomas Harte]

I currently have an iPod Shuffle 1st generation. With iTunes it automatically converts all higher bit rate songs to 128 kbps AAC when I sync it. However, I'd like to be able to select 256 kbps AAC if I could for better sound quality.

Is this possible with the latest iPod Shuffles (4th generation)? Or does iTunes limit the 4th generation Shuffles to 128 kbps AAC on-the-fly conversions as well? I know with my iPhone and iPad I can select 256 kbps AAC as an option, but I am very attached to the Shuffle form-factor for its simplicity, and it is my portable playback device of choice these days.

Also, I love the sound quality of my 1st generation Shuffle. It sounds fantastic. Does the 4th generation Shuffle come close to the sound quality of the 1st generation Shuffle?

I own a fourth generation shuffle though it's currently missing so this is from memory: re-encoding down to 128kbps is optional, just as it always was on a full-size iPod.

 

[Arran]

Just tried it. iTunes 12.4.0. Re-encode options are...

4th Gen: AAC 256, 192 or 128.
1st & 2nd Gen: AAC 128 only

 

[allan]

Just tried it. iTunes 12.4.0. Re-encode options are...

4th Gen: AAC 256, 192 or 128.
1st & 2nd Gen: AAC 128 only

Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to know. I'm glad that Apple expanded the options for the latest Shuffle. I guess the 1st and 2nd generation are just too old for Apple to support anymore.