There's an iMod? DAMN IT!

[Bojamijams]

This is just perfect I sold my Ipod 5g 30g cause I hated the interface, the battery life, the sound quality and wanted better so I got the D2.

Then I got a pair of K702's and the Meier 3MOVE and stepped up my sound quality. Then I found out that for the 3MOVE to REALLY shine you need to feed it through a lineout which the D2 doesn't have. And apparently, $300 later, the ipod turns into the best sounding player short of some Kenwood expensive beast?

So my question is.. I'm now thinking of selling my D2 and getting a lineout capable PMP/DAP that has the LO quality of the iMod but right off the bat so I can keep warranty and prefereably not have to deal with apple and their UI/software.

In the $300 range.

Thank you!

[Calexico]

I'm almost certain you can't get iMod SQ for $300 out of a DAP.

[RAQemUP]

There is no PMP or DAP with the line out quality of the iMod at $300. If there was, there wouldn't be all this rage to mod an Ipod into an iMod.

And you do know that amping the D2 headphone out at flat EQ settings and no sound tweaks at either volume 34 or 49 is great right? Personally, I don't hear any difference from that then using a LineOutDock from an Ipod to an amp. That is with both my modded Ipod Mini and my old Ipod 5gen 30 GB.

[krmathis]

+1 on that you most probably wont find a DAP for $200 with comparable sound quality as the iMod.

[Bojamijams]

Originally Posted by RAQemUP

And you do know that amping the D2 headphone out at flat EQ settings and no sound tweaks at either volume 34 or 49 is great right? Personally, I don't hear any difference from that then using a LineOutDock from an Ipod to an amp. That is with both my modded Ipod Mini and my old Ipod 5gen 30 GB.

When you say your old ipod 5gen, you're comparing standard LO not iMod right?

I figured the D2 and ipod LO would be fairly comparable but with the imod option, its not even a contest I hear

Or are you comparing the imod LO with d2?

[mrarroyo]

Well the following will not be $300 but you could:

1. Buy an old H120 or H140 and replace the hard drive w/ a CF card. HiFlight has done it, so contact him for the details. This unit has an optical out.
2. Wait till the iBasso D10 Amp/Dac is out (a month or so) which will have optical in. The older iBasso D1 will work but it is fairly large.
3. Get an small mini to mini optical cable.

Now you are set for something as good or better (depending on the ears of the listener) than the iMod. Of course if you manager your music w/ iTunes the H120 or H140 will not work. On the plus you can use rockbox.

[RAQemUP]

Yes, that was me comparing a regular Ipod 5gen LOD to a Cowon D2 headphone out. Grant it with all the money I have spent this year on my portable listening alone, I could have invested into an iMod and a vcap to go with it, but that then goes beyond simple portability and therefore not an option for me.

You know mrarroyo, for the cost of that he may as well just get an iMod to pair with his Corda 3Move and save money at that heh.

[Bojamijams]

Hmm well thank you for relieving my fears that i MUST have a LO with the D2.

Now the real question is, is it worth spending (and it'll actually be $400) with the imod option + cable and would I hear it with the Corda 3MOVE + AKG 702.

If anyone know a person with a similar configuration, can they let me know so I can get in touch with them? I'm new to the head audiophile world so I'm wondering if my audio equipment is good enough to take advantage of what the iMod can do.

Thanks.

[Calexico]

Is it exactly necessary to get an iMod? You can get an 80gb refurbished classic for cheap at Apple's online store, and then just get a LOD. It's not an iMod, but it's not nearly as expensive either, while it should still be a marked improvement over your D2.

[Bojamijams]

Well see thats the confusing part. Some people say that D2 at flat EQ and volume 34 (which keeps it still Class A) is same as ipod with LOD.

And its not really too cost efficient for me to try and compare if you know what I mean. Unless I can find a store that'll let me plug in a LOD into an ipod and then connect my amp to that.

[ZoNtO]

Why not just try what you have and see if you like it? If not, then find a friend with an ipod classic, put a few of your files on it for a sec, test it and A/B between the D2 and LOD and then decide?