The iQube Enigma (Review Updated)

[hoosterw]

Originally Posted by Ihatepopupads

Thanks Hans, where is the amp made ?

The PCB is made and bestucked in Hongary.
Casing is Dutch made (a local CNC company around the corner) and final assembly here at my place.
Casing and local assembly are done here which is more expensive but gives me better control over the quality.

Rgds

Hans

[hoosterw]

Originally Posted by Dexdexter

So, in the event of such an occurrence, do you keep spare tabs on-hand? They look easy enough to replace if one can manage to safely disassemble the chassis.

Well Dex, yes I do keep spare ones, as for all parts. But opening the unit more then only the battery lid in principle voids warranty. Second you will not be able to remove the volume knob without the proper tools. If you try, chances are very high you will damage the housing and/or knob. Without removing the volume knob you cannot remove the PCB and thus remove the two rear end tabs. .

In case it happens just send it in for repair. I will be very lenient on the fees ok?

Hans.

[Ihatepopupads]

Originally Posted by hoosterw

The PCB is made and bestucked in Hongary.
Casing is Dutch made (a local CNC company around the corner) and final assembly here at my place.
Casing and local assembly are done here which is more expensive but gives me better control over the quality.

Rgds

Hans

Thanks for the excellent info, I just want to be sure about things as moon audio isn't doing returns on the pre- sale iQubes. I was going to keep the iQube for myself and give my son my mini box e+ If the blasted dollar wasn't so weak I wouldn't hesitate. One thing I have found is all the vendors I have delt with on head-fi are A++, and its really cool to have a dialog with the main man! Makes me feel more secure about those $$ purchases.


Now the other problem... my wife- whats that thing? Oh nothing just a headphone amp. wife - another one? how much was it? Not much, I just traded in my other one and paid a little extra , cough , cough. Or another good reply,- I finally used that amazon gift card you got me for x-mass...

[Dexdexter]

Originally Posted by hoosterw

The PCB is made and bestucked in Hongary.
Casing is Dutch made (a local CNC company around the corner) and final assembly here at my place.
Casing and local assembly are done here which is more expensive but gives me better control over the quality.

That's it! The iQube and CanAmp share a small degree of Hungarian heritage.

Which reminds me that I took some shots of the business side of the iQube at the meet:

[musicmaker]

Sweet Jesus ! People were not kidding about what it takes to open the iQube for battery replacement. I spent 15 minutes last night and gave up with achy hands. Trial II today.

[Dexdexter]

Originally Posted by musicmaker

Sweet Jesus ! People were not kidding about what it takes to open the iQube for battery replacement. I spent 15 minutes last night and gave up with achy hands. Trial II today.

Yeah, it's some sort of evil rite-of-passage that Hans devised especially for his valued iQube customers...

From Post #79:

Originally Posted by Dexdexter

Open the top side (the one with the single clip at the rear). Press it partially closed again (with your thumb over the portion where there isn't a clip underneath) until you hear a very slight "click". There should be a discernible gap of about 1mm between the cover and the chassis.

Now, pull upward on the opposite side with your 4 fingers, working them front-to-back, back-to-front. It should "click" and eventually come free.

With the cover off, try the clip massaging technique as I outlined above.

[musicmaker]

Thx Dex. I actually saw that. Trouble is, I still haven't gotten through step 1 (Open the top side w/ single clip at rear). It is extremely tight.

[dazzer1975]

Sorry, meaningless post but I ave to say good man Dex, I have used your massaging advice and now it is an utter breeze to open this baby up.

Nice one mate.

[hoosterw]

Originally Posted by musicmaker

Thx Dex. I actually saw that. Trouble is, I still haven't gotten through step 1 (Open the top side w/ single clip at rear). It is extremely tight.

Hi Musicmaker, are you sure you are trying to open the correct side?

You should first open the bottom lid and at the side with the on/off switch, this is where only one notch is located. The gain switch side has two.

It is really the bottom side, if you can read the word iQube on the side it is the lower lid!

Hang in there. the first time is the hardest but once you have mastered the trick it is real easy!! really, believe me.


rgds

Hans

[Dexdexter]

Originally Posted by musicmaker

Thx Dex. I actually saw that. Trouble is, I still haven't gotten through step 1 (Open the top side w/ single clip at rear). It is extremely tight.

mm, one of the early mistakes I made was to press down on the middle rail of the chassis (with the "iQube" logo engraved on it), instead of the rubberized battery compartment cover. Could that possibly be what you're doing?

In any case, try this:

Hold the iQube in your two hands with the bottom of the unit (the battery cover) facing outwards. Place both of your thumbs directly over the area where the first, lone clip is located (the bottom corner closest to the "output" jack, shown below circled in green).



Push downward and outward simultaneously. The first side should come free, allowing you to complete the procedure as outlined above.

[Skylab]

While I *love* the sound of the iQube, the fact remains that the battery access is a total drag. So I put in rechargeables, and I will never open the thing again, problem solved

[musicmaker]

Thanks Dex & Hans.

Pretty sure I have the correct side. On/Off switch is on top facing me and I'm trying to open the bottom cover with pressure on the area marked in green as show in Dex's last post with pic. Dex, I'll try what you suggested.

I really wish the battery access was easier. My fingers are getting a real workout.

Originally Posted by hoosterw

Hi Musicmaker, are you sure you are trying to open the correct side?

Originally Posted by Dexdexter

mm, one of the early mistakes I made was to press down on the middle rail of the chassis (with the "iQube" logo engraved on it), instead of the rubberized battery compartment cover. Could that possibly be what you're doing?

In any case, try this:

Hold the iQube in your two hands with the bottom of the unit (the battery cover) facing outwards. Place both of your thumbs directly over the area where the first, lone clip is located (the bottom corner closest to the "output" jack, shown below circled in green).


Push downward and outward simultaneously. The first side should come free, allowing you to complete the procedure as outlined above.

[musicmaker]

No luck. Maybe I should give my fingers a bit of rest. I've spent like 20 minutes futzing with this already. Does it require quite a bit of pressure to open the first side ? A couple of wrestlers live close by, should I get their help

[hoosterw]

just wish I could teach you all in real live how to do it because it is actually real simple.

Well it is as it is. Thanks for all trying to keep up trhe good mood.

Hans

[Dexdexter]

Originally Posted by musicmaker

Does it require quite a bit of pressure to open the first side ?

Actually, yes. Which is why I have devised an alternative explanation that essentially eliminates finger-fiddling in favor of super-concentrated thumb-power!

So the following has also been added to my original review:

iQube Battery Compartment Opening Tutorial

If the battery compartment unlocking method as described in the iQube owner's manual brings you no joy, here is an alternative route:



- Hold the iQube in your hands with the bottom of the unit (the black rubberized battery cover) facing outwards. The front volume knob/switches should be pointing into your left palm, while the rear input/output jacks should be pointing into your right palm. The engraved "iQube" logo in the side-rail of the chassis will be upside down as you look downward.

- Place both of your thumbs directly over the black rubberized area where the first, lone clip is located (the corner closest to the "output" jack, Clip 1, as shown above circled in green).

- Push downward and outward simultaneously. The first side should "click" and come free.

- Press this side partially closed again (with your thumb over the portion where there isn't a clip underneath) until you hear a very slight "thuck". There should be a discernible gap of about 1mm between the cover and the chassis.

- Rotate the iQube to the opposite side. The front volume knob/switches will now be pointing into your right palm, while the rear input/output jacks should be pointing into your left palm. Again, the engraved "iQube" logo in the side-rail of the chassis will be upside down.

- Place your left thumb over Clip 2 (above in blue) and your right thumb over Clip 3 (above in pink) on the black rubberized surface.

- Again, push downward and outward simultaneously. The second side should "click" and the entire battery compartment cover should come free.

- With the cover off, try the clip massaging technique as I have outlined in the previous section, so that subsequent openings become noticeably easier.

- After changing the batteries, replace the battery cover on the side with Clips 2 & 3 first. Snap the cover into place on that side, and then snap down the opposite side where Clip 1 is located. Job done!

Note: The iQube battery cover is perfectly symmetrical, so it does not matter whether or not the original orientation is maintained when replacing it.