New iMod for the iPod 5G: A Red Wine Audio/ALO Collaboration

[oicdn]

At audio circle he says the headphone jack will be spared...so that means you can roll around WITHOUT an amp if you choose?

[Vinnie R.]

Originally Posted by Hirsch

If I understand your product correctly, it's an audio out dock only. However, the iPod also has to charge the battery, as well as connect to a computer to load and delete music. That can be done either through a dock or direct hookup to computer. If using a standard dock, presumably all of the DC will be at the line out, which would make that line out useless, but would leave all other functionality intact (and not affect a USB or Firewire connection). However, connecting the iPod directly to a computer without a dock would not divert the DC to line outs. Do those line outs hook to a computer when the iPod is connected? Asking this another way, is there a possibility that a computer directly hooked to the 5g iMod might be exposed to DC through the USB or Firewire connector?

Hi Hirsch,

You can still connect the modded 5G/5.5G to your computer's USB Port (or charger).... the dc offset voltage is only on the modded analog line-out pins of the dock connector. This is why you need the custom ALO iMod dock cable when connecting to an amplifier. Connecting to a computer is not a problem.

Can the Nano be Imoded or not? It doesn't seem like there is a clear answer. Also besides the new cables that Ken is making for these new Imods. Will we still be able to use our amps right? (I know seems like a silly question but just making sure.)

Thank you very much,

Sincerely,

bigizzy75

Hi bigizzy75,

I have not yet developed the iMod for the Nano, but I am fairly confident that I can modify it the same way as the 5G/5.5G iPods...now that the ALO iMod dock cable will fit the upgraded caps in the cable. I will need to get my hands on a Nano and give it a try, but it might be a few weeks.

The iMod for the 5G/5.5G (and the Nano if/when it comes out) will not touch the stock headphone output. In other words, you can still use the stock headphone output with headphones if you wish. If you want to take advantage of the iMod, you need to connect the modded line-out to your portable headphone amp (or home audio system), and this will require an ALO iMod dock cable.

Pre-ordering info has just been posted on the RWA Forum on Audiocircle.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[TheMarchingMule]

EDIT: Stupid me didn't read the 6th page of this thread well enough. Thank you LDMES for the info!

[tnmike1]

Wondering if Ken's going to still be offering those very sexy Cryo "X" formulations in his Imod docks??? Just bought one for my soon-to-arrive Imod from Vinnie and can't wait to play with it. Already just out of my 5g Ipod the silver/copper formulation sounds very interesting

[LDMES]

Originally Posted by TheMarchingMule

After the iMod, can one still use a normal line-out?

From Vinnie's Thread on Audiocircle:

"The 5G/5.5G iMod will require that I modify the unit as described above, AND you must use the custom ALO 5G iMod cable (with installed BG caps). Otherwise, there will be DC offset voltage on the line-out pins of the dock connector. This cable will be sold by ALO Audio. I will not be making these cables."

So the answer is no, You can only use the iMod Line-Out.

BTW in talking with Vinnie today, he plans to somehow label the new 5G/5.5G iMod units (he hasn't figured it out yet), so that you will know that it is an iMod unit, and won't make the mistake to use a regular Line-Out and possibly destroy any gear.

Personally I will be interested to read the reviews once Vinnie and Ken get these units out to the Audiophile Masses. My 4G iMod may need a 5.5G cousin (that is if the guys over at Rockbox can get the 80GB problem solved and Rockbox working on the larger drives.)

[JarodL1]

Ok, is there going to be an iMod for the iPhone?

[nickknutson]

Originally Posted by tnmike1

Wondering if Ken's going to still be offering those very sexy Cryo "X" formulations in his Imod docks??? Just bought one for my soon-to-arrive Imod from Vinnie and can't wait to play with it. Already just out of my 5g Ipod the silver/copper formulation sounds very interesting

Yes, he going to be offering a Cryo X Silver cable. I emailed him about that.

[ZARIM]

BTW after Imod done how is the sound quality straight to the headphone jack(if iam not wrong must be improved) and users still maybe able to use headphone lineout on 5G Imod ipod(please explain)or not?.

[TheMarchingMule]

Originally Posted by ZARIM

BTW after Imod done how is the sound quality straight to the headphone jack(if iam wrong must be improved) and users still maybe able to use headphone lineout on 5G Imod ipod(please explain)or not?.

Well ZARIM, I am pretty sure all your questions are answered around this topic, but I'll try and regurgitate them as accurately as possible.

1.) The way the iMod will be done will only affect the line-out in terms of SQ.

2.) Yes, with this iMod, people can use either the headphone like normal, or utilize ONLY the iMod line-out cable.

[Genocide]

so we do still need to send our 5/5.5 gen ipod to get it modify on the lineout instead of just buying the the lineout dock cable.

Am I right?? sorry for question, just want to make sure

[TheMarchingMule]

Originally Posted by Genocide

so we do still need to send our 5/5.5 gen ipod to get it modify on the lineout instead of just buying the the lineout dock cable.

Am I right?? sorry for question, just want to make sure

The iPod itself must be modified in terms of its voltage output via line-out dock and other hush-hush things in order to properly function with the iMod cable, thus completing the 5/5.5G iMod.



So in short, you MUST have your iPod sent in to be modified as well as buy the iMod cable made by ALO.

[Nebby]

Originally Posted by Genocide

so we do still need to send our 5/5.5 gen ipod to get it modify on the lineout instead of just buying the the lineout dock cable.

Am I right?? sorry for question, just want to make sure

To be specific, to get the iMod and be able to listen to it you will need to:

1) Send in your ipod to be modded by Vinnie at Red Wine Audio.
2) Buy the 5th gen iMod cable from Ken at ALO Audio.

edit: Drat, got beaten by TheMarchingMule!

[Genocide]

thanxs man, you have just confirmed what i have in mind

time to work hard to earn some $$ ^^;

[TheMarchingMule]

Originally Posted by Genocide

thanxs man, you have just confirmed what i have in mind

time to work hard to earn some $$ ^^;

Seriously; I'm in the middle of selling most of my gear.

[Nebby]

What stuff are you planning to buy with the money you gain from selling the gear?