My version of a 5th gen iMod dock connector - with pics(56k beware)

I went through a number of iterations but kept coming to a point where I didn't like how the whole connector looked. I'm someone who prefers a simple look. Less is more in my book. I'm definitely not a bling kind of guy. I was hoping to use the thin docking connector that is typical with sync cables but there is just not enough room for the caps. Then I thought about putting them inside the plug casing. Certainly a Canare 1/8" is big enough but I'm just not a big fan of that huge plug. So I went with the bigger dock casing. The caps I used were ones that EFN mentioned early on when he built his own dock connector - Rubycon Black Gates 4.7 uF.

To fit the caps in, I had to break off all the tiny tangs for those pins I didn't need. Space is at a premium inside even the bigger connectors. And to keep any stress on those delicate tangs to an absolute minimum, I went through a lot of test fittings with cutting and bending in between. It was painstaking but it paid off. Here's a pic of everything wired up. The white you see is teflon tape to ensure the bare wires don't short.



The cable I used is my favorite Mogami mini mic quad. With a bit of heatshrink, it filled the hole in the back of the connector's casing just about perfectly. Two wires went to the left channel and two to the right with the copper shielding used for ground. I epoxied the caps down to one half of the plastic casing as well as the cable at the hole for strain relief. I then filled around the wires, tangs and caps with silicon and glued the other half of the casing. I put a 1/8" Neutrik plug on the other end and I ended up with a nice, sleek looking 5th gen iMod docking connector.




How does it sound? I absolutely love it. Of course the caps are still very young but I've got wonderful detail, airiness and soundstage right off the bat.

I honestly have no idea what kind of effect they would make on a regular iPod. And - I don't have a regular one to try or I probably would.

I tried doing this but they weren't budging and I didn't want to use too much force. But I can't fathom how they would do anything to "degrade the signal" by being there.

Actually, ALO uses smaller Black Gate caps then the one I chose. They could've easily fit into the docking connector I chose which, IMO, looks nicer.

Do it! It's fun and infuriating work! Seriously though, this is very fine soldering work. Those tangs are very skinny and thin and close to each other. And after you get it soldered up you have to be very careful in not moving things around. It only takes a few back and forth bending motions for them to break off.