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LODS Do I need a $50 lod? (please give suggestions)

post #1 of 50
6/6/10 at 4:02pm
Thread Starter 

Hello!

I need to buy a lod for my new amp (mostly likely an ibasso T3, thanks for everyone's help).

 

I noticed that there's quite a price range,

from http://www.cablejive.com/products/plusUSB-Line-Out-Dock-Cable.html

This one for $20

 

to ibasso's own set up of

this lod

http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=38

plus this cable

http://www.ibasso.com/en/products/show.asp?ID=55

for a total of $50

 

I know there are ones for a billion dollars, but one here is already more than twice the price. With my 5th gen ipod and ibasso t3, will the lod make a huge difference between these two?

 

Please suggest a good lod plus cable connector for my gear, thanks so much!

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post #2 of 50
6/6/10 at 4:25pm

I would recommend two things:

 

1. Keep the number of contact connectors as low as possible.

2. Keep in mind the bulk of the item.

 

Keeping the number of connectors low provides a superior signal path and reduces the chance of connector related issues.  Reducing the bulk of the connector contributes to usability and portability. It's also less prone to breakage.

 

Jack

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post #3 of 50
6/6/10 at 5:30pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, Jack!

 

Of the two I've listed, do you think the more expensive set-up is worth it?

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post #4 of 50
6/6/10 at 7:14pm

You don't need the LoD AND the LoD IC. Either get the LoD and a mini-mini, or the LoD IC.

Since your amp is so cheap, I don't think there would be much difference. You're better off spending that 120+40+shipping on a better set of IEMs.

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post #5 of 50
6/6/10 at 9:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trysaeder View Post

You don't need the LoD AND the LoD IC. Either get the LoD and a mini-mini, or the LoD IC.

Since your amp is so cheap, I don't think there would be much difference. You're better off spending that 120+40+shipping on a better set of IEMs.

I see what you mean about the lod and lod ic, oops!

 


160 won't buy me a better set of iems (I have a nice iem, now I need a little more juice to run it), but thanks!
 


Edited by Kunlun - 6/6/10 at 11:01pm
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post #6 of 50
6/7/10 at 12:31am

Get a DIY'ed TWAg or TWCu LOD or mini-to-mini. Both your ears and your wallet will thank you for it.

 

I bought a DIY'ed TWCu LOD for just $49 and it sounds like copper, yet it also sounds nothing like copper in general (like silky highs and sweet mids).

And I personally feel that it can rival a crystal LOD in performance.

 

I might get bashed for this, but after A/Bing several well-known LOD combos like Mundorf Silver/Gold, SXC (silver plated copper), silver and copper, SCSCag and TWCu, my advice to you is get a pure-material LOD, they bring the best out of the music. Either silver, or copper. The others simply don't do much.

 

The only weird material I can say is good is Singularity's nano carbon. That has some crazy sound, and is still cheaper than most "crystal cables".

 

Unless you have money to explore new grounds, get a good DIY'ed LOD or mini-to-mini.


Edited by K.I. Unlimited - 6/7/10 at 12:35am
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post #7 of 50
6/7/10 at 4:40am

Just make sure to get something well built. If you plan on lugging it around a lot, then get a cheaper one as well which you wouldn't be too upset if it broke.

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post #8 of 50
6/7/10 at 6:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kunlun View Post

Hello!

I need to buy a lod for my new amp (mostly likely an ibasso T3, thanks for everyone's help).


 

I'll recommend a Fiio L1 or Fiio L3. Nice, compact, and well-made.

 

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post #9 of 50
6/7/10 at 6:49am

x2 for the Fiio. Forget about SQ improvement through expensive LODs. Spend your cash on source/iem/amp.  :)

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post #10 of 50
6/7/10 at 7:17am

After you have completed the source, ear/headphones and amp, do consider an investment on a good DIY LOD. It will help.

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post #11 of 50
6/7/10 at 12:29pm

Just bought this about an hour ago.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280517832313

 

I am very sceptical about interconnects but I bought this to save on cable length!

I have an Ibasso lod plus a cable to my amp but it`s too long, ok at home but.

Silver plated ohfc blah.

 

I am curious though whether the combination of copper (warm) silver plated (better high`s) makes any differernce in sound.

I doubt not but UK £20 ish for the space saving cable length is worth a shot.

 

Will be connected to my pa2v2 (which already boosts all bass,mids,treble without distortion) to a level you should really not listen too but I have discovered loud doesn`t mean distortion, tinitus? erm a bit.

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post #12 of 50
6/7/10 at 12:51pm

I would love to hear your thoughs on the LOD from ebay Sinth.

 

I'm looking for a good LOD for my iPod / iPhone on Ebay (i live in Portugal so it's easier just to look on ebay) but there are so many there i can't really know which one is best.

 

I've looked into these in particular:

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-LOD-HEADPHONE-AMP-BEST-DEAL-/250644211464?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5b8f2708#ht_1083wt_913

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-LOD-HEADPHONE-AMP-SPC-COLOR-/250636284908?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5b1633ec#ht_1171wt_913

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-LOD-HEADPHONE-AMP-Pure-Copper-/250641934806?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5b6c69d6#ht_826wt_913

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-LOD-HEADPHONE-AMP-UPOCC-COPPER-/250644164649?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5b8e7029#ht_1229wt_913

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPHONE-IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-CABLE-3-5mm-JACK-PLUG-/280517832313?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_PortableAudio_MP3PlayerDocks&hash=item41502a6e79#ht_645wt_1139

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IPOD-LINE-OUT-DOCK-HEADPHONE-AMPLIFIER-QUAD-/250636489032?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item3a5b195148#ht_1081wt_913

 

Anyone knows which sellers make good ones? The only thing i try is to avoid the ones coming from China but who knows, maybe they are good too. There are some that look good from China.

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post #13 of 50
6/7/10 at 1:00pm

I would actually steer clear of slim LODs, because there is a greater stress put on the connector and the solder points. I have a slim LOD built by a very experienced cable DIYer that had the wires actually pop out of the the dock connector. Always make sure that you have great strain relief.

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post #14 of 50
6/7/10 at 2:27pm

@ Asilva.

I looked at the Turkish guys lod`s and liked them but he has had 2 negatives in a month. There used to be two guys from Turkey but maybe they have joined ranks?

The one I bought is from good old Scotland and should arrive quicker lol.

Will let you know that there is no difference as soon as it arrives.

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post #15 of 50
6/8/10 at 1:43am

What are slim LODs?

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