also ... is the Starving Student even a good choice when paired with the grados? Is there anything else better suited? From working my way through pages and pages on the forum, i've seen plenty of pimetas and PPAv2's ...

My budget is ballpark $50, which should be easily do-able for either the DAC or Starving Student. I'm already set on enclosures and have access to various labs and a machine shop here at school, which helps keeps some cost down. Are there many advantages for choosing a Bantam over the Alien...

I'm debating on whether to add a DAC or another amp to my setup, and was looking for some suggestions. I began with a CMoy in an altoids tin, which was later transplanted into an empty cigar box which is stationary on my desk. My source as of now is either a LOD from a 5th gen ipod, or the...

I'm in need of a decent set of headphones for my dad for father's day. They'll be driven by a current gen. nano, and used for his commute (i.e. train, subway). The goal is to provide an upgrade from stock buds, which i could easily name several options, but the problem is that my dad...

If you get no noise when using only batteries, but get a hum when using: Computer Line Out + AC Adapter Speaker Line Out + AC Adapter ... Then perhaps there is an issue with your power supply?

Ooo! That is EXACTLY what i want/need. Great Idea. What exactly did you use for the dock connector?

Also keep in mind that Radio Shack does carry most of the parts necessary to build a *working* cmoy. If your goal is to practice soldering, and learn how *not* to blow up op-amps, Radio Shack can be helpful in that regard. I personally build my first (of two, mind you) cmoys using all but a...

I've also been wondering about the difficulty factor of a mini^3. Also been wondering about the costs of building one ... anyone?

Could i solve my problem temporarily by building a trickle charger into the system, perhaps on a switch? I could used a NiMH 9-volt to power the amp normally, which gives me no noise, and is quite silent, but use the unregulated source to charge while, i'm say, in class? Using a simple...

Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly can be concluded from the above info? Also, if there is additional attenuation build into the current docks, what about the previous generation docks without the remote control? Could a better line out be achieved using an older universal dock? And are...

I wonder if buying a knock-off brand ipod dock would loose the attenuator feature, and give me more of what i feel a "true" line out should be ... despite the apparent response to EQ, which i'm guessing affects any signal taken from the dock connector?

I suspect that as well. In talking with a friend and apple fanboy, he pointed out that the same thing is not true for his iPhone dock's line out ... which of course has no IR remote capabilities. And yes, the scroll wheel also controls the volume, despite the line out being run straight to my...

I just borrowed Apple's Universal Dock from a friend, and was surprised to find that when connected, the volume control on the ipod is not disabled. Am i correct in assuming this is a tell-tale sign of the "Line Out" on the back of the Universal Dock to not be a true line out? I've...

I re-lined the entire box with a thicker layer of foil, and though it helped a little, I'm convinced that my sub-par power source is the weak link. There is no audible noise using battery power, however. I just hate eating up 9Volts. And funny that you mention the TREAD. This afternoon i got...

Thanks for the clarification. My brain was in "power" mode and i was thinking "power source". My source is mainly a 5.5 gen. ipod, though i haven't had any noise issues from it in the past. The base of the box is lined, but the lid is not. I found a heavy-duty foil that i'll try re-lining...