Is iMod still competitive with "audiophile" DAPs (only interested in SOUND QUALITY)? - Page 5

Originally Posted by the wizard of oz 

You know, I've been thinking about this, if I need even bother with making my own DIYFlashMod when there now are the CLAS & Fostex solutions, and who knows what other solutions coming up in the nearby future...

 

A stock iPod is plain unbearable to listen to for me -I've tried my girlfriend's- compared to my Sony Hi-MD Walkman, but I like the UI of the iPod, the larger capacity, easily replaceable and upgradable parts, etc, and was considering making my own DIYMod.

 

I have a 5.5G iPod Video new in spare parts, BlackGate caps, silver interconnect, Mundorf solder, Weller solder equipment, you name it, and was about to purchase a 128GB CF card. But is it really worth the trouble?

 

Are the improvements worth me dropping my plans, and moving on to the new solutions that completely bypass the iPod's DAC, how good the 5.5G's may be?

 

I know the battery consumption is an issue with the USB protocol being used for direct digital access, but maybe the better SQ is worth it, and there's no stopping me replacing a Classic's HDD by a CF too, since I understand that experiences so far are that with iTouches or iPhones, the battery depletes less fast.

 

Any more impressions by those for have compared both the iMod/DIYMod vs. the CLAS/Fostex solutions?

Originally Posted by justanut 

I'll probably go the CLAS route once version 2 with at least more than 10 hours battery life surfaces (with dual-DACs to boot? wishing too much haha...). Until then, the iMod is quality aplenty in a small tight package on the go for me :)

 

 

Originally Posted by justanut 

If you don't already have an iMod or DiyMod, I'd say go for the CLAS if u can afford it. A 128gb CF card is way too expensive imo. If you're using the CLAS, there really isn't much point in doing the CF-mod on the Classic, cos the CLAS's battery power is the limiting factor here. No point extending your iPod's battery life in that sense.

 

I'll probably go the CLAS route once version 2 with at least more than 10 hours battery life surfaces (with dual-DACs to boot? wishing too much haha...). Until then, the iMod is quality aplenty in a small tight package on the go for me :)

Originally Posted by the wizard of oz 

 

What I have is 5.5G iPod all new in spare parts, with all the tools and necessary parts to perform the upgrade to DIYMod, besides the large capacity CF. But I haven't actually performed the operation yet, and have been putting it off since reading about the new portable DAC's/DAC+h.amp combos that bypass the iPod's DAC.

I'm wondering if I should sell my tools and upgrade parts and move on to either the CLAS or the Fostex solutions, assemble my iPod as-is or sell it and get an iPod Classic...

Originally Posted by cj3209 

First off, unless you purchase used, an iMod will cost you $250 for the iPod modification plus the cost of the iPod and a special LOD AND you will need to get a headphone amp.

My recommendation is to get the Cypher Labs Algorhythm Solo and a nice headphone amp and you can still use your current iPod.

CJ