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

[Moontan13]

Originally Posted by joneeboi

I should have recommended this item long, long ago, but I'm doing it now because I have free time. My dad got me this for Christmas, and it has been supplying me with some pretty great tunes for a long time. In the ever-vibrant spirit of DIY, I have taken it apart and put it back together a whole bunch of times to make it fit my personal use. I present,

the iPod 3-in-1 FM Transmitter, Charger, and Holster!

Good price with reviews: DealExtreme: $14.04 For iPod 3-in-1 Car Kit White
Good write-up: iPod FM Transmitter with Chargers and Car Holder, iPod FM Transmitter

I have the 8 in 1 version of that same dock, but using the FM transmiter in my car resulted in horrible SQ. Instead I used the dock's line-out with a Sony cassette adapter I had lying around. The SQ was greatly improved.
This dock also works great with my Milwaukee worksite boombox which has a 12v socket on the back, and a 3.5mm line-in jack.
I bought this dock last year, then put it aside because of the poor FM performance. I didn't even know it had a line-out on it. I'd been using the iPod HP jack to the boombox line-in. Using line-out to line-in improved the SQ a lot.

I look forward to seeing the mods you did on your dock.

[LeBuLLeT]

What type of mod would be the best for a 4th Gen Ipod? Caps inside or outside, audio through lOD or through headphone jack or even a separate capable? Thanks in advance.

[pcyl]

Originally Posted by LeBuLLeT

What type of mod would be the best for a 4th Gen Ipod? Caps inside or outside, audio through lOD or through headphone jack or even a separate capable? Thanks in advance.

my advise as to go or LOD rather than head phone as you can try different caps
i personel preferance M cap/ Auri cap at 2.2uf i hope this answer you correct me if i am wrong

[LeBuLLeT]

Pcyl sorry kind of late so can't comprehend everything you are saying I am so sleepy. What you are saying is to have the Capacitors outside the ipod and use an LOD so I can exchange capacitors?

[4saken]

He is saying you have the choice of swapping capacitors for different sound easier than if you planted them inside the case, which would force you to reopen the case if you ever wanted to change the capacitors.

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by Moontan13

I can't decide which dead iPod to get for modding, a gen 5.0 80 gb or a 5.5 60gb. I intend to substitute the HD for CF, using the empty space to house the caps and use the HP jack as the line-out.

Also, any tips on making the output caps easily swappable?
Sorry if this was covered, but there's a lot of info here to sort through.

I would go with the 80GB. That would be a "large back" model. The 5.5 60GB would be a "short back" like the 5th gen 30GB. I say get the large back because it would provide more room for internal caps (assuming you replace the HD with a CF card).

I'm not sure you need the extra space though. I've been contemplating doing this to my 5th gen 30GB, but I'm not sure there will be room for the coupling caps. I'm not a hurry though. I think subconsciously I'm waiting for the HD to die :P
If I need more room, the plan is to just buy a 60GB back. I'm also waiting until they start making larger CF cards. Putting a 32GB CF card in a 30GB iPod seems like a very minor upgrade. Especially since I already have a 32GB Mini for flash based DAP

[funch]

[QUOTE=joneeboi;4620261]funch:

I'm crossing my fingers. *crosses fingers* Here's hoping.

I got my replacement cable in today, installed it, and buttoned everything up.
I sprinkled some juju powder around and danced in a circle. Long story short...
it WORKS!!! Stock headphone out works fine, and the line out through the stock line out dock into my PPA sounds fabulous, even without breaking in the Blackgates yet. (joneeboi, you can uncross your fingers now. And thanx.)






The white 'stuff' is epoxy putty to keep tension off of the line out connections. The wire is 28 ga. Discovery tonearm wire from Parts Connexion.

[pcyl]

has anyone got a imod ? and actually rip open to see what cable RWA use? as diy mod , sound sig slightly forward compared to IMOD, any feed back ? thanks

[joneeboi]

Welcome to the diyMod club, funch. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

*uncrosses fingers*

[barqy]

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I want to build a Vcap type dock

Does anyone know which cap type (value) the commercial guy uses for: Auricaps?

I think it's the 4.7uf value, but want to confirm...

Lastly, can anyone recommend a case that's made of aluminum that's small and has splits sides. I can only seem to find plastic ones like this. Or would it be OK to use a case that has the ends that open up instead?

thanks!

[Hayduke]

Originally Posted by barqy

I'm sure this has been asked before, but I want to build a Vcap type dock

Does anyone know which cap type (value) the commercial guy uses for: Auricaps?

I think it's the 4.7uf value, but want to confirm...

Lastly, can anyone recommend a case that's made of aluminum that's small and has splits sides. I can only seem to find plastic ones like this. Or would it be OK to use a case that has the ends that open up instead?

thanks!

I'm guessing you're talking about something like a Hammond case. The extruded aluminum cases with the end caps should work fine.

I can't help you the values for the Vcap dock. I've never taken one apart. 4.7 is the value most folks seem to settle on though.

[no_eye_dear]

Originally Posted by barqy

Does anyone know which cap type (value) the commercial guy uses for: Auricaps?
thanks!

Hi Bargy, you need to google "low pass filters" to understand the relevance of the Cap size. Basically, the cap and the next impedance (resistance) will create a filter that cuts off the base at a calculated "corner" frequency.
Note: the corner frequency is much lower than the required response to avoid phase issues.
In short... the bigger the better but if you are going into an amp with a 20K pot directly after the cap then 2uf is the minimum for sub 60Hz base. I usually use 4.7uf on most of my amps.
If it's a 100K pot then you could go a lot smaller.
It all depends on your setup I'm afraid.

[pcyl]

got a friend taken out ALO dock in side 2.2 uf caps

[FallenAngel]

Originally Posted by pcyl

got a friend taken out ALO dock in side 2.2 uf caps

Too low for portable amps (imho), 4.7uF is good for 10K impedance.

[barqy]

@no eye dear: ah okay thanks i'll do that

@pcyl: thanks for the values, I was thinking of going with 4.7uf..