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Is DIYMod thread dead? Questions about DIYmod 5g video ipod.

post #1 of 8
5/11/08 at 9:28pm
Thread Starter 
So i have read arronlee's guide on making a DIYmod. Doesn't seem so difficult. desolder 4 things. solder wires in.

Now, Where do the capacitors go? Are they planted externally? If so, how does Red Wine Audio get it all in the ipod?

If it is external, what is the setup like? capacitors -> ???-> ???-> female 3.5 mm jack?

Am I correct? DIYMOD > LOD > capacitors > amp > earphones?

thanks for all the answers. I will read about what capacitors to buy next. Thanks guys.
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post #2 of 8
5/11/08 at 11:52pm
The output capacitors are either external in a small enclosure (for the good caps) or contained in the LOD (for the not-quite-so-good caps).

Personally were I to use an iMod, I'd DIY an amp and include the capacitors inside the amp enclosure to cut down on crap I had to carry (and to use a smaller LOD, the iMod docks are huge).
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post #3 of 8
5/12/08 at 12:17am
Thread Starter 
okay. so say I DIY a Mini3. Where would i attach the caps?
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post #4 of 8
5/12/08 at 12:40am
Inline with the signal, but with the questions you're asking, are you sure you can perform the diyMod? It's VERY delicate work and the wires are very thin. Open up the iPod and take a look first.
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post #5 of 8
5/12/08 at 1:02am
Thread Starter 
I have opened up the ipod. Switched the screens around, taken apart almost every part and putting it back together. I have the hands of a surgeon. Now all i need is to know how to do the procedure.

However, dont get the feeling that im being cocky. Theres some feeling in side me is saying that this is complicated. I saw how little the components I need to desolder are. Seems relativly simple. If not, I'll go buy a couple broken ipod motherboard from my friends for $5 each.

you mean the wires that i need to solder to the pads are thin? Correct me if im wrong but it doesn't seem THAT difficult.
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post #6 of 8
5/12/08 at 1:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AGC View Post
I have opened up the ipod. Switched the screens around, taken apart almost every part and putting it back together. I have the hands of a surgeon. Now all i need is to know how to do the procedure.

However, dont get the feeling that im being cocky. Theres some feeling in side me is saying that this is complicated. I saw how little the components I need to desolder are. Seems relativly simple. If not, I'll go buy a couple broken ipod motherboard from my friends for $5 each.

you mean the wires that i need to solder to the pads are thin? Correct me if im wrong but it doesn't seem THAT difficult.
It's not that it's "that" difficult and steady hands help a lot. The wire you'll be working with is very thin and the pads you're soldering to are tiny so that's a little difficult if someone hasn't soldered SMC before. The hardest part is bending and cutting the wire without lifting the pad you've already soldered (that's what I did and had to solder the wire to a leg of the DAC).
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post #7 of 8
5/12/08 at 1:49am
Thread Starter 
Ah. Since you are online. If you wouldn't mind answering a few short questions fallenangel.

1. Should i use stranded 30 AWG wire or solid wire? Silver or Copper?

2. I read a little and I can put the caps right in a DIY LOD. I was planning on making an LOD so its fate! how hard is it to put it into the dock connector of the LOD? seems like it will be a tight fit.

3. Stupid question: What is "lifting the pad"? Ive done a cmoy and lots of interconnects and ive never heard that phrase. what does that mean?

4. Now for the goodstuff. Hows the soundquality on the DIY IMod compared to regular ipod FOR YOU? I ordered the FreQ shows, and opted for the Music Maker crossover (supposidly need amp). I really want to prepare for that. Get all my DIYs ready for that.
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post #8 of 8
5/12/08 at 3:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AGC View Post
Ah. Since you are online. If you wouldn't mind answering a few short questions fallenangel.

1. Should i use stranded 30 AWG wire or solid wire? Silver or Copper?

2. I read a little and I can put the caps right in a DIY LOD. I was planning on making an LOD so its fate! how hard is it to put it into the dock connector of the LOD? seems like it will be a tight fit.

3. Stupid question: What is "lifting the pad"? Ive done a cmoy and lots of interconnects and ive never heard that phrase. what does that mean?

4. Now for the goodstuff. Hows the soundquality on the DIY IMod compared to regular ipod FOR YOU? I ordered the FreQ shows, and opted for the Music Maker crossover (supposidly need amp). I really want to prepare for that. Get all my DIYs ready for that.
Online, but cleaning the house, not at the computer constantly

1) I'd say solid, especially for something this thin, you don't want strands separating. 30AWG is very small, I'd step it up to 28awg.

2) With the BlackGate NX 47uF/6.3V, it's not a tight fit, lots of room in there. Just make sure to get the large or medium iPod connectors, not the super thin, nothing fits in those.

3) It means you overheat the metal contact point on the PCB (called the solder pad) and separate it from the PCB or you solder the wire on and then start bending it or pulling on it, that will rip the pad off. Remember, there isn't much holding this little metal pad onto the PCB and it's connected to a very thin PCB trace; you don't need much strength to pull it off.

4) I have no idea what you're talking about there, but the diyMod sounds wonderful; a real improvement over the stock iPod, especially with good caps.

I would also recommend taking this conversation back to the diyMod thread.
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