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Ipod Classic to IMod

post #1 of 25
7/14/08 at 4:18pm
Thread Starter 
Hi, Can anybody tell me why the 160Gb ipod classic can not be modified to an IMod. Has the newer Ipod audio out been improved to not warrant a modification. Thinking of getting an IMod but can't help thinking its expensive for a recon 80Gb, I guess what I am asking is, is the improvement in sound quality worth it.
Thinking of Portable 160Gb IPod / Jumbo Cyro x Silver / RSA Predator / Headphones?
Home PC / RSA Predator / Senn HD650's

Would an IMod improve the portable rig that much?

Any help would be great.
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post #2 of 25
7/14/08 at 4:39pm
It doesn't have Wolfson DAC, like the 4th and 5th gen do
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post #3 of 25
7/14/08 at 4:51pm
My understanding is that the Classic has the DAC and headphone amp integrated into one chip and therefore it isn't possible to bypass the headphone amp circuitry (which is the point of the iMod).
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post #4 of 25
7/14/08 at 4:51pm
to be honest, no, the improvement will not be that much. I is often misunderstood when they say it osunds amaing. always, the priority should be:
Headphnes
Source (DAP etc)
Amplifier
Mods/cables.

Make sure that you have good headphones first.
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post #5 of 25
7/14/08 at 7:15pm
Gautam, I assume you have heard an imod in order to have made that statement ...?

Well, I got my iMod yesterday, and have now compared it to my 80GB iPod classic, and yes, the improvement is that much. By comparison the stock iPod classic sounds colourless, thin and brittle. The iMod adds tonal and spatial depth, and now sounds full and rich. I cannot now go back to my stock iPod, and will be selling all my other DAPs.

Also, I don't agree that headphones come bedore DAP. As always, garbage in-garbage out - source comes first!

No doubt the iMod is expensive, and probably has a limited life of a few years, but if the money is not an issue, and you are able to partner it with a good amp and headphones, it is definitely worth it!
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post #6 of 25
7/14/08 at 7:21pm
It has a Cirrus Logic chip. I find it silly that the guy at RWA thinks that just because the chip was from Wolfson automatically means that it will match the quality of the Wolfson's in high end CD players.

Cirrus Logic is no pushover.

Its true though that the headphone amplification circuitry is integrated on the DAC chip.
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post #7 of 25
7/14/08 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by colonelkernel8 View Post
I find it silly that people would get an iMod if they intend to use it exclusively with a dock.
An iMod can only be used with some kind of dock, since only the line out is modified.
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post #8 of 25
7/15/08 at 4:55am
Ive never heard the imod before but I was considering getting one myself. I researched a bit and I cannot say if the improvment would be that much however the improvement would be a lot better if you grab some decent headphones first and foremost. after that it is your decision to go down the imod route or maybe a portable amp/dac? the great thing about amps and dacs is that they can be used in conjunction with many other things. you can use an amp on any line out and a dac will improve the sound of any digital signal. however an imod is only going to help you improve the sound of that single one source: the ipod. it makes more sense economically to get good headphones and decent amp and dac (amp/dac combo?). thus every source you own will see great improvement including all future sources to come. good luck!
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post #9 of 25
7/15/08 at 5:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross View Post
An iMod can only be used with some kind of dock, since only the line out is modified.
Depends on what iPod version is used as the base for the mod.

If it's a 4th gen or photo the headphone out gets turned in to a line out and the dock connector loses all sound out and can only be used for syncing/charging.

If it's a 5th gen og 5.5 gen then the headphone out can still be used as such as it is not modyfied. ON the other hand the dock connection can only be used with one of the dedicated ALO cables as there is no room inside the iPod for the caps so they go in the dock.
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post #10 of 25
7/15/08 at 10:45am
Not till you hear the iMod for yourself you won't know how good is sound and it does sound very, very good.
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post #11 of 25
7/15/08 at 11:18am
Listening to my iMod right now: wonderful stuff! It doesn't hurt that I'm listening to it through a Lisa III. My AT ES W9's probably don't begin to exploit the amp, buy I'm a happy guy.
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post #12 of 25
7/15/08 at 2:03pm
why not do some crazy idea,
do a digital output mod like one in MSB iLink
and then connect it to a portable DAC/amp
I am really sure Justin or Ray will be happy to help in this step

and so you will have the best portable source ever
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post #13 of 25
7/15/08 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by yourtoys7 View Post
Not till you hear the iMod for yourself you won't know how good is sound and it does sound very, very good.


I have owned the 4G and 5.5G Imods and can honestly say the sound improvement is minimal and certainly not worth the price. My opinion, of course. The Zune80 headphone out for hundreds less is not very far behind.
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post #14 of 25
7/16/08 at 11:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by nc8000 View Post
the dock connection can only be used with one of the dedicated ALO cables as there is no room inside the iPod for the caps so they go in the dock.
Doesnt have to be ALO . You can build one, or get a DIY'er to build you one instead.
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post #15 of 25
7/16/08 at 1:27pm
to me, the difference is huge. i can't praise it enough. i'm still surprised at how good the imod sounds.
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