I got my Redwine iMod-ed iPod today,WOW! - Page 9

Better than digital source and micro dac

I have burned in my iMod for over 200hrs now and started comparing it to direct sound usb out of my pc to the Micro DAC each thru the Larocco PRII, RnB black diamond and K701s(with a bit more mileage). The iMod is just distinctly better in sq over all and especially as to clarity, openness and soundstage. WOW is right!

Yeah, I have spent some additional time comparing the iMod to my $1,500 Sony 555ES SACD player. The iMod iPod can only play CD audio of course, so I compared the Sony playing CDs to the iMod iPod playing lossless rips of the same CDs. The iMod iPod sounds better to me than the Sony. Of all things, the image has more depth! The overall sound is just as detailed, but just a hair smoother on the iMod iPod.

It really is amazing, folks.

I'm definitely going to have to get one of these. Unfortunately, I'm in the Navy and my sub is about to go out for six months, so it's going to be a while.

I had the inordinate pleasure of doing business with Vinnie since almost last December (2005) trying to figure out if I wanted to pull the trigger on an iModded 4th gen iPod. Well, the 60gb photo arrived from Vinnie last week.

First, let me say what a wonderfully patient and helpful person Vinnie is. I had so many questions back and forth and he was just so kind, thoughtful and quck to respond (even gave me - a technology idiot! - a quick tutorial on how to find and import in AIFF!!). He runs a good reliable and solid business and his customer service is the very best.

I hooked up my modded iPod to one of Alex's AG-16s mini-mini (overkill? Quite possibly!), then to Xin's SM3 and culminating in a new set of AKG K81DJs (as portables). Obviously, nothing, except Xin's amp, is yet burned in! So how does it compare with what I have been using - a Sony D-EJ2000 pcdp with a Sliver Dragon mini-mini, Xin's SM3 and DT880s or K501s? I listen to mostly classical and some jazz, so please keep this in mind. (Everyting on the iPod is AIFF 1411kbs.) The frequency response ranges are there top and bottom albethey a bit recessed (but tight, yes), the instrument separation definitely, soundstage, yes, mids, yes, but there is some roll-off on top and a little muddiness on the bottom at the moment. Clearly the K81s have some issue with a muddy bass, or rather they are quite bass heavy. When I listen with the DT880s and K501s (obviously not portable here!) there is much improvement overall on all sound dimensions. Both cans are well broken-in with over 300 hours a piece. There is some less extension with the iPod at the top and bottom than with the pcdp, but the sound is really well balanced. For me what is most astounding is the "blackness" with iPod. It's so quiet! Would I go back to the pcdp set up? From time to time, yes, but I really don't think the difference will be that great ultimately, except for the dynamic range....for now!

The whole rig needs time to burn in, so please recognize that. Vinnie tells me the caps (Black Gate) need at least 200 hours, but what is there right now is so well worth listening to and the cost (let alone not carting about a load of CDs!) well worth the returns. I really think that the iMod warrants, perhaps even demands, ripping with a lossless format. Vinnie tells me that the 60gb can hold 90 CDs with lossless which, as he would say, is not too "shabby!"

In summary: great service; great product in the iModded iPod.

More later.

is there a reason to use AIFF over apple lossless (ALAC)?

kiwirugby, I would think that a 60 GB should hold closer to 160 CD's instead of 90.

AIFF is better if you have OCD.

See ya
Steve

if you want fewer songs on your ipod

sorry for being a wise-*****...but no, ALAC is fine.

well, once the full-screen video ipods are announced (i'm gambling they will sometime this summer) my 4G is going to vinnie. since i don't use a headamp for portable listening anymore, an imodded ipod will be a nice compact source for home listening...

mrarroyo, even using AIFF? If so, that's good news. I'm already beginning to have to make choices from my collection!

bigshot, what's OCD and why is AIFF better with it? Inquiring minds would like to know...please!

kugino, you're absolutely right.....about the fewer songs, I mean!!!....of course...

AIFF and apple lossless are both lossless formats. apple lossess is just on average 60% smaller. that means you can get more songs on the ipod and they will sound identical to the larger AIFF formats (unless i have missed something). i'm not sure why even someone with obsessive compulsive disorder would choose AIFF over ALAC.

I have my entire collection as ALAC but my mate has AIFF, there's a good reason for keeping AIFF and it's because if you're using software for making up CD compelations and working with music files AIFF is more convenient.

I'm finding now and again I have to convert back to AIFF. Also adding artwork is quicker with AIFF.

But I'm a fan of ALAC for it's space saving abilities.

This question has been asked in other threads, but has anyone with an iMod tried Rockbox?

When comparing Rockbox to the Apple firmware on the stock 4G, for me, there's a substantial sound difference, most noticeably in bass and soundstage. Where the stock 4G was nearly unlistenable for me before, I can actually enjoy it with Rockbox.

So, has anyone tried Rockbox? Anyone willing to try for the sake of "science"... or something? I can only assume that it would sound better...?

but for the ipod, ALAC is the way to go. i understand keeping AIFF files on one's computer for compatibility with other apps, but for the ipod, there will be no audible difference b/n AIFF and ALAC and you save space with ALAC...

It's not what you can hear... IT'S WHAT THE NUMBERS TELL YOU! Bigger... more expensive... more impractical... are ALWAYS better with OCD.

See ya
Steve