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Would it be possible to create an imod with optical out to enable use of external DAC amps?

post #1 of 13
1/20/11 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 

Hi.  Just wondering if anyone has ever thought of modifying an ipod to not only take a signal feed from straight after the DAC chip as in the imod but to take a signal feed before the dac to an optical output jack?  If the headphone jack on a Macbook pro etc has dual electrical and optical, could the same be done on an ipod?This would be great as it would enable the use of external da converter headphone amps.

 

 

 

 

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post #2 of 13
1/20/11 at 3:58pm

Please feel free to start with my 2010 Shuffle:

 

ipod-shuffle-cracked_18.jpg

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post #3 of 13
1/21/11 at 4:35am
Thread Starter 

 

I was more thinking along the lines of an old iPod classic version 5 etc where there is plenty of room to wire off the board but it is certainly interesting to see what is inside a new nano.

I need to look at a dual electric/ optical output jack and see what they require as far as a signal goes.

I really am hoping that there is someone far more experienced in this area to comment.

Cheers

 

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post #4 of 13
1/21/11 at 6:24am

i already get digital out from my ipod video (5th gen) using an onkyo nds1 dock

 

you could also use a wadia digital transport

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post #5 of 13
1/21/11 at 6:44am
Thread Starter 

 


I really want it to be a fully portable option. Otherwise I could just use my laptop or Mac mini etc. A portable version of the wadia or onkyo would work. It would be more portable if a hack on an iPod could be done instead.

 

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post #6 of 13
1/24/11 at 7:55am

I believe that in order to get a digital out it requires an additional IC. Making this an extremely difficult task if not impossible.

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post #7 of 13
1/24/11 at 2:17pm
Thread Starter 

Looks like I will have to start saving for the Algo Rhythym then.  That is certainly a great solution but getting expensive.  There was a time way back when I used to think that iPods were expensive.  Now they are just a small entry fee into the music carnival where the rides are way more expensive.

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post #8 of 13
1/24/11 at 2:24pm

I have an MSB hacked Classic POD unfortunately it requires electricity and a small docking station.....

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post #9 of 13
1/24/11 at 2:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kremer930 View Post

Looks like I will have to start saving for the Algo Rhythym then.  That is certainly a great solution but getting expensive.  There was a time way back when I used to think that iPods were expensive.  Now they are just a small entry fee into the music carnival where the rides are way more expensive.



Agreed, but how many Head-Fiers get to audition new headphones / amps with a source this good ? The potential is enormous.

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post #10 of 13
1/24/11 at 2:30pm
Thread Starter 

If Apple didnt encrypt the USB output then it would be no issue.  I wonder how much companies that make docks that manage a pure digital output from an ipod have to pay?

 

The Alogrhythm does look like it should offer a significant step up in sound quality from anything that is starting from a LOD output only.

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post #11 of 13
1/25/11 at 7:43am

I think the price they charge must be going down. With the PURE iPod dock going for $99 it is nice to see they are becoming reasonable.

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post #12 of 13
1/25/11 at 7:54am

while i would like to see the price of the solo come down as well, i think the pure ipod dock serves a very different purpose?
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by jamess71 View Post

I think the price they charge must be going down. With the PURE iPod dock going for $99 it is nice to see they are becoming reasonable.

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post #13 of 13
1/25/11 at 2:08pm
Thread Starter 

 

Yes. Agree. Not sure why you would really need an iPod dock when you can stream your entire collection at up to 24/96 quality or hardwire to your computer for anything beyond 192 quality. From my understanding I think even with a digital dock that you are limited to 16/48.

16/48 is at least a significant step up when mobile compared to line out or worse the headphone out.

Wonder if Apple has plans to enable the iPod to deal with 24 bit any time soon?

 

 

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