New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

What is that?

post #1 of 9
4/20/11 at 11:41am
Thread Starter 

What cable is routed FROM the usb ports on these digital audio players TO the headphone amps in these pictures? Is that coaxial?

 

Thanks.

 

...

 

1000x500px-LL-fdb11e69_b-1.jpg

 

...

 

1000x500px-LL-ad2c3a47_DSCF0003.jpg

 

 

Reply
post #2 of 9
4/20/11 at 11:53am

That's an iPod LOD analog cable (Line-Out-Dock), not USB.  Many vendors sell them or you can build your own.  Examples: ALO, Moon-Audio, and Whiplash Audio.

Reply
post #3 of 9
4/20/11 at 12:00pm
Thread Starter 

Interesting.

 

If others wouldn't mind. What are the advantages and disadvantages of routing 1/8" OUT of iPod vs. this LOD OUT configuration?

Reply
post #4 of 9
4/23/11 at 7:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by the modulator View Post

Interesting.

 

If others wouldn't mind. What are the advantages and disadvantages of routing 1/8" OUT of iPod vs. this LOD OUT configuration?


The LOD bypasses the internal amp and dac (digital to analog converter) of the iPod and in return you get just the audio without coloration or distortion from the player. Basically it sounds much better. 

 

Reply
post #5 of 9
4/25/11 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikingatheart View Post


The LOD bypasses the internal amp and dac (digital to analog converter) of the iPod and in return you get just the audio

 

Emphasis on the bolded words.
 

Just the audio? That doesn't make sense. Digital to analog conversion has to happen. Where is it happening? If it isn't happening in the iPod then it would have to take place somewhere else in the signal chain.

 

Is the 1/8" input on that Pico analog? To the best of my knowledge it is.

Is the above quote correct? I think it is incorrect. Is digital to analog conversion happening in the iPod, but the iPod's amplifier is being bypassed via the LOD? This makes sense. It also makes sense to eliminate gain chaining which seems to be the advantage of a LOD configuration.

 

Does the 'L' in LOD stand for line level (an analog signal)?

 

Is this correct? Anyone?

 

Thanks.


Edited by the modulator - 4/25/11 at 6:29am
Reply
post #6 of 9
4/25/11 at 11:13am
Yes, LOD = Line Out Dock. If you intend to use an amp with a PMP (portable music player) you have to go through the line out. The 1/8" out is purely a headphone out.
Reply
post #7 of 9
4/26/11 at 6:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by the modulator View Post

Quote:

 

Emphasis on the bolded words.
 

Just the audio? That doesn't make sense. Digital to analog conversion has to happen. Where is it happening? If it isn't happening in the iPod then it would have to take place somewhere else in the signal chain.

 

Is the 1/8" input on that Pico analog? To the best of my knowledge it is.

 

 

Is the above quote correct? I think it is incorrect. Is digital to analog conversion happening in the iPod, but the iPod's amplifier is being bypassed via the LOD? This makes sense. It also makes sense to eliminate gain chaining which seems to be the advantage of a LOD configuration.

 

Does the 'L' in LOD stand for line level (an analog signal)?

 

Is this correct? Anyone?

 

Thanks.

I'm sorry for misleading you, and I just realized my mistake. The LOD doesn't bypass the DAC but only the amplifier. Even though the DAC is not bypassed, the sound quality will definitely increase.
 

 

Reply
post #8 of 9
4/26/11 at 11:24am
Thread Starter 

No problems. In the end, I found what I was looking for.

Reply
post #9 of 9
4/26/11 at 12:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by the modulator View Post

No problems. In the end, I found what I was looking for.



Glad to hear it!

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home