The Apple diyMod: My Take on the Famous iMod [56k killer] Featuring 3G, 4G, 5G and nano 1G!

[joneeboi]

I was thinking of sending the wires straight to the dock. Is there a way to open up that portion of the iPhone? iFixit doesn't have any photos of the dock either, so the only way we'll know what to solder to is if we can get a photo of the internals. I'm not even sure how that part would even open up. Maybe I should just look into it on my iPhone.

[Hayduke]

Is the DAC in the iPhone on par with that of the 5th Gens in regards to SQ?

Only 16GB is a potential issue though as I like to listen to lossless. hmmmm I do like the idea of combining 2 devices and still maintaining a quality signal to feed an amp and headphones.

[joneeboi]

I haven't extensively compared the sounds of the video and the iPhone pre-3G, but consider they are the same chip. Now, yes, of course, the same chip can sound different in a different circuit, and everyone's setups sound different. Nevertheless, I will say that I liked the sound of the iPhone's headphone jack through my modded SR60s over any of the iPods I've owned or listened to. My switch to the iPhone was more pragmatic than audiophilically ideal. My plan when I have some disposable income is to use the iPhone for on-the-go listening (unamped through KSC75s and maybe the PX100 someday) and have a 5.5G 80GB for home use. My library sits only at ~12 GB at 320 kbps LAME MP3, but I'm fine with listening to MP3 over lossless. Whenever I did get that 5.5G, I would manage two libraries for the sake of lossless. But until that day comes...

I'm of the camp that doesn't pay all that much attention to their music when going portable. I listen to music to fill up the silence on the train or when I'm studying, but hard listening is something I only do at home. I don't mind going unamped, though the iPhone doesn't go all that loud with the KSC75s. I've been forced to employ playlists with this device as opposed to carrying my entire library with me. I normally prefer not to have to choose the music I want to listen to and not have some selections I feel like listening out of the blue, but it's something that has been imposed on me by the forces of practicality. I'm an album collector by nature, so my albums are normally my playlists. There's nothing really holding me back from making full use of playlists besides laziness.

So, um, yeah, the iPhone might sound the same as the 5.5G.

[qusp]

very interesting indeed!!! i'm loving my DIYMOD 5.5G but i'm also very keen to do the iphone as I have stated before. BTW guys I managed to do the low profile blackgate LOD will post pics in a minute. its still A bit ghetto because I havent put the custom casing on the switchcraft RA mini. at the moment its just exposed wires connected to the 'head' of the mini because the switchcraft body is too chunky to be used stock in my setup.

[qusp]

hey ya go, for those who are interested here is some pics of my latest blackgate LOD. I should've taken some pics while in progress. None of the casings available will allow caps like this, so I just used the pin assembly from a standard slim/medium dock connector and formed a housing out of epoxy putty. I used the switchcraft RA mini because I feel it is a far superior plug than the neutrik I just have to make my own body. the wire is coaxial crystal cables piccolino 7N silver/gold stranded wire. the caps are the standard small 47uf NX hiQ blackgates. the cable isn't finished here because I loved the sound so much I was keen to get it burned in ASAP and its on its way, the caps are on their way to being set now at about 35hrs (blackgates don't take TOOOO long IMO) the bass in tightening up and the soundstage opening up.

i'll be building another one soon so will take pics of the process and post a thread just for it.





as you can see the dock casing isn't as compact as it is without caps but still quite compact; smaller than what it appears in the last couple of shots because of the macro lens and close-up. the first pic is closer to the actual size but still a bit larger than life, but it takes my DIYMOD rig to another level of portabilty. the wire is extremely flexible so is very low profile. the mini is also a little beat up as I salvaged it from another mini to mini cable and did an average but sufficient job of desoldering and cleaning it up. all it needs now is the epoxy mini body and a couple of coats of enamel even now in its current state it is my favorite LOD by far.

[Polacchini]

Great work, qusp

Jon, take a look at this: (notice the small pcb under the dock)

Original Charger Ribbon Flex Cable for Apple Iphone

Maybe I'll buy one of these and learn how to disassemble the black plastic covering the dock. Then maybe we can solder the wires to the pins and find a way to route the wires.

Stay tuned

[joneeboi]

Good stuff, Polacchini. Good stuff indeed.

I'm not sure if you're aware of iFixit, but they have disassembly guides for iPods, Macbooks and iPhones. It's actually pretty simple to snap off the black cover, it seems. Mine's just covered in a BestSkinEver which is my excuse for not having popped it off already. =T

[Polacchini]

oops, I meant not the black wi-fi antenna cover, but the big plastic piece covering the dock's internals.I believe that the only thing that's keeping us from doing this mod is learning a way to drill a little hole in the big plastic dock thing and route the wires there.

I've ordered both 30 and 34awg solid core silver wire for this mod. I hope it's thin enough for the job

Well, I've just placed an order on the ribbon cable + dock. Shipping may take a while, but as soon as it arrives I'll let you know.

Good luck for us all

[qusp]

Originally Posted by Polacchini

oops, I meant not the black wi-fi antenna cover, but the big plastic piece covering the dock's internals.I believe that the only thing that's keeping us from doing this mod is learning a way to drill a little hole in the big plastic dock thing and route the wires there.

I've ordered both 30 and 34awg solid core silver wire for this mod. I hope it's thin enough for the job

Well, I've just placed an order on the ribbon cable + dock. Shipping may take a while, but as soon as it arrives I'll let you know.

Good luck for us all

should be thin enough, I used 33AWG cardas silver tonearm wire with no problems at all without really having to think to much about how I routed it because it was so thin, but its stranded enamel coated silver wire, as far as I can tell its the most appropriate. you'll have to be careful with that thin in solid core; it'll be really fragile and wont respond well to bending back and forth trying to work out what the best way to route it is and you don't want it to snap half way through the job after soldering it to the pads etc. so best to try routing with another piece of wire, but not connected to work out the best way to do it. then do the mod carefully following that plan. the saying measure twice, act once will apply

I apologize if you've already worked with that wire before and know what you're in for.

[joneeboi]

Keep us updated, Polacchino. I'll do what I can to support your venture.

Sorry to just jump over your post, qusp. That's an amazing dock you put together. I've seen a few other epoxy docks (epocks?) and it's quite interesting how it fits so well. How sturdy is the epoxy as a casing option?

[qusp]

Originally Posted by joneeboi

Keep us updated, Polacchino. I'll do what I can to support your venture.

Sorry to just jump over your post, qusp. That's an amazing dock you put together. I've seen a few other epoxy docks (epocks?) and it's quite interesting how it fits so well. How sturdy is the epoxy as a casing option?

no problem jon, I can take rejection I know its no iphone mod. nah but seriously; with the epoxy, I've made quite a few myself, in fact all the low profile I make use it now. as far as sturdiness, it depends on the brand of putty you use; its all pretty good, but some is stronger than others. the tamiya brand is pretty tough (as long as you get the fine one with 2 putties that you mix together)that was the first one I used and since its actually SOLID epoxy, kind-of like you filled the casing with epoxy glue except its all in one piece with no seam, its actually pretty durable; there are a couple of types that are only average and will chip/break easily because they're only designed for making,repairing toy soldiers etc but the best brand is called milliput superfine and its turned out to be amazing, its superhard and you can sand it down to an amazing smooth finish. its solid as a rock; much harder than the plastic of the regular dock casing. It's not cheap (about $20AUD a pack) but you can make at least 40-50 docks with one pack. You wont find these brands at your local hardware store, they're used by RC CAR enthusiasts and model makers mainly, i'm lucky enough to have a model and RC superstore just down the road and I get glue, paint of all sorts, finishing abrasives that are soooo fine; and this stuff. It takes about 3 hours to cure to the point where you can carve/sand it into shape and about 12 to become rock hard. the wire is pretty darn special as well, but I wont go into that; its embarrassingly expensive and those who know crystal Cables will know what I mean. def the best wire I've worked with though, this dock is gonna be near indestructible when its finished.

hehe epoch I like that

[joneeboi]

That's all very interesting. I've only ever known about 30-minute and 5-minute epoxy. Thanks for sharing.

[qusp]

Originally Posted by joneeboi

That's all very interesting. I've only ever known about 30-minute and 5-minute epoxy. Thanks for sharing.

no problem: yeah thats epoxy glue you're thinking of, which is usually two liquids that you mix together. this stuff isn't glue, the glue sets into a clear substance.; although this does bond very well. this is epoxy putty: 2 putties which you kneed together like plastic explosive (not personal experience ) this sets into a solid white smooth consistency just like plastic; because it is plastic. then you sand/carve it back and finish it with whatever finish you like; acrylic, enamel etc

[bidoux]

Hello,

I am going to try the DIYmod for my ipod mini. I need caps but I don't know the name of these.


It is just for now, after I'll try auricap and blackgates
And if anyone knows the name in French it would be great!

[joneeboi]

Those are caps CAvanessia grabbed from, I think, Radio Shack. I haven't any idea what they are, but I'm sure you're better off going with the more familiar audio capacitors mentioned around these here parts.