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The iQube Enigma (Review Updated) - Page 5

post #61 of 305
3/13/08 at 9:37pm
LOL. Very nice comparison, especially the iQube - Braun Electric Shaver.

Its only been running about 24 hours or so, so holding off from any critical listening. The sound is definitely opening up. Took it to work today and got some complimentary looks from a couple of pretty women.

What is the recommended burn-in time for the lil beast ?
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post #62 of 305
3/13/08 at 10:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by musicmaker View Post
LOL. Very nice comparison, especially the iQube - Braun Electric Shaver.
Heh-heh, I remembered Hans saying in an earlier iQube thread that the design was indeed inspired by a Braun shaver from the '60s. So when my Norelco died around Christmas, I couldn't resist trying out the PocketGo which was on sale here for 10 Euros.

While both feature a nifty battery compartment...

...the Braun is much easier to open!

Quote:
Originally Posted by musicmaker View Post
Its only been running about 24 hours or so, so holding off from any critical listening. The sound is definitely opening up. Took it to work today and got some complimentary looks from a couple of pretty women.
Now isn't that just exactly what we're in this hobby for?

Quote:
Originally Posted by musicmaker View Post
What is the recommended burn-in time for the lil beast ?
Not sure. My review sample was already very well run-in. I think somebody else mentioned that theirs settled in at around 100 hours, but don't hold me to it...
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post #63 of 305
3/13/08 at 11:45pm
My first problem was getting it open, my second, finding a charger tip that would fit, and 3rd, wondering why the charge light is so much dimmer than the pilot light.

I struggled through the first, found the second, and still wondering about the third.
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post #64 of 305
3/14/08 at 5:57am

Charging behaviour iQube

Quote:
Originally Posted by HiFlight View Post
My first problem was getting it open, my second, finding a charger tip that would fit, and 3rd, wondering why the charge light is so much dimmer than the pilot light.

I struggled through the first, found the second, and still wondering about the third.
Hi, maybe I can help on the third?

The brightness of the charge LED is depending on the charge available in the batteries. I admit the user manual is incomplete on this point.

If the batteries are totally empty the LED will burn brightest when charging commences. It will be a little less bright then the power LED. As the charge in the batteries increases the LED will dim gradually.

A fourth point is that we have recently found that due to component tolerances in a lot of cases it will never go out when the batteries are fully charged, which should be the case, but it will continue to burn very dimly although the charging has stopped.

The actual charging will stop after 3 to 4 hours (full charge) depending on the condition/type of the batteries. It will stop when the charge reaches a certain level (charging is done by voltage monitoring) but the lED will not go out.

I hope this clarifies and I am sorry, but that is the case. We will solved this as of the next production run.

Rgds

Hans
It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections
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post #65 of 305
3/14/08 at 6:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dexdexter View Post
...the Braun is much easier to open!
Dex, I will show coming sunday during the meet that it is a piece of cake! Really you just need to get the feel in your fingers and then it is a matter of three seconds.



Hans
It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections
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post #66 of 305
3/14/08 at 12:53pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiFlight View Post
My first problem was getting it open, my second, finding a charger tip that would fit, and 3rd, wondering why the charge light is so much dimmer than the pilot light.
Yeah, Ron, I regret not having had a set of AAA rechargeables on hand for my review, but I'm not sure I would've noticed that subtle charging light issue.

I did discover, however, that the charging cords from both my CD Walkman D-EJ2000 and iBasso T2 (which also has USB capability) appear to be compatible with the iQube; I'll confirm that this Sunday at the Netherlands Meet.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hoosterw View Post
Dex, I will show coming sunday during the meet that it is a piece of cake! Really you just need to get the feel in your fingers and then it is a matter of three seconds.
Looking forward to it, Hans, I'll commence finger-limbering exercises in anticipation!
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post #67 of 305
3/14/08 at 3:25pm
I did find that the very tiny tip from my Xin regulated charger that I used with my SM-IV works, but isn't a really good fit, as jiggling it a bit causes the charge light to flicker on and off.
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post #68 of 305
3/14/08 at 3:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skylab View Post
You are missing that he uses a 4G RedWineAudio iMod, which has the very-high-quality line out routed through what used to be the headphone jack
THX Sky, this I did not know but should have figured out from reading other review post by Miguel
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post #69 of 305
3/15/08 at 6:43am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheMarchingMule View Post
Moon Audio is starting to carry the iQube though, and it'll be with a welcoming introductory price of...$475, I believe.
TMM, I've just seen the iQube page at Moon Audio, and Drew is pricing it at $450 until the beginning of May.

So, at least for the next 45 days, the iQube will be available in North America for $60 less than the LaRocco PRII (mk2), which is now selling for $510.
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post #70 of 305
3/15/08 at 9:02am
I put my order into Drew of Moon Audio on the 13th and paid via paypal. I also ordered the USB recharging cable.

Arrived today on the 17th. Very fast shipping from Drew.

Dex, thanks again for your great review.
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post #71 of 305
3/15/08 at 5:54pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by slwiser View Post
I put my order into Drew of Moon Audio on the 13th and paid via paypal. I also ordered the USB recharging cable.
Looking forward to your impressions, Steve.

I hope you find that it pairs as nicely with the Edition 9s as I did!
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post #72 of 305
3/16/08 at 11:25pm
A fabulously well-done review, Dex. Tons of fun to read and informative, plus great pics - you can't beat that!

So good, in fact, that I ordered one from Drew last week too. Seems like it will be ideal as the new amp for my PL750's. Looking forward to receiving it this week, hopefully.
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post #73 of 305
3/17/08 at 12:35pm
I'm still on the fence, Pico- iQube, do I need a dac? If the iQube was a little less it would be a no brainer. Still it looks so nice, and I am a sucker for smooth deatiled treble
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post #74 of 305
3/18/08 at 7:34am
Dex

When in Fig3 it says "unclick" the opposite side what does this mean in practice?

Does that mean to do the same operation as was done on the first side or something else. Where is the "unclicker" to be unclicked located?

Will I break something if I just bring the original side up until the other side releases?
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post #75 of 305
3/18/08 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slwiser View Post
Dex

When in Fig3 it says "unclick" the opposite side what does this mean in practice?

Does that mean to do the same operation as was done on the first side or something else. Where is the "unclicker" to be unclicked located?

Will I break something if I just brink the original side up until the other side releases?
Maybe I can answer.

Indeed you need to do the same as with the first side. Make sure that the first side is as closed as it can be. This sounds weird I know .
I mean that once the first side is opened you need to keep it close to the locking pins and not open it up as far as it can go.

The closer it is to the locking pins the easier the opposite side will open. This is where most have the difficulty because they fully open the first side and then try to open the opposite side. This will not work.

If you brink you will definitively damage the housing parts and probably break the plastic locking pins. NOT advised.

I hope this clarifies.

Hans
It is our philosophy to manufacture true High End cables for specialized connections in headphone, MP3 player, and HiFi component interconnections
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