Another option for Ipod lineout???

[bunchex]

Hello everyone! First off I've found all posts incredibly helpful in my quest to get a decent rig. As of now here's my portable plan: Ipod 80gb -> ???line out of some sort??? -> Corda Move -> Senns 280pro.

As you may presume my question lies on the lineout. I've checked all posts regarding the ALO cables, moon-audio, qables, turbo, and even the pocketdock. So far the one that seems to deliver the best value/cost ratio is the ALO bling bling ($56 shipped to Fort McMurray, AB, Canada)

However, I came across this Tekkeon Mypower with usb, firewire, extra battery pack AND line out for $44 on Ebay. Shipped it comes to a bit more, but considering I get a battery and firewire charging on top of line out it seems a better buy than a "simple" lineout.

So here's the question: is the lineout of this Tekkeon clean enough that when paired to a decent mini-mini to the Corda Move it will be comparable to the Bling Bling?

Thanks in advance for your replies,

Javier

ps: any comments on the Corda Move or other alternatives will be appreciated as well!

 

[Sherwood]

If you're on a budget, head-direct has a decent line-out available for $35. Take a look To me it was indistinguishable from the bling bling. Ken at ALO is, however, a great guy and a great craftsman and with his higher price comes an assurance that you're going to have great customer service.

I would, however, recommend rolling your sleeves up and making your own. I bought all the parts and a soldering iron and made a line out replica of Kimber Kable's famous PBJ for less than most docks cost. It feels good to DIY.

 

[mrarroyo]

You could also try a Turbo lineout.

 

[bunchex]

Thanks Sherwood and mrarroyo. I pm'd Turbo asking about his turbodock. The head-direct lineup also looks good.

However, in any case, would the difference in quality of the female mini connectors in the turbodock, head-direct dock, pocketdock, etc. make much of the difference? Or does the difference lie in the cable? Thanks once again for your replies.

 

[Sherwood]

That really depends on how much you believe in cables. I feel like any decent gauge cable with a good connector will perform just about as good as any other. There are differences, but I think they're relatively small, and not commensurate with the price you pay for them. Lots of other people feel that these different materials yield sonic differences worth their price. Unfortunately, the only way to know is to try them. One way or another, it's not a bad idea to start at the bottom.

 

[tako_tsubo]

I use a Tekkeon Mypower all the time. Doesn't seem to get much love but I find that the line out is fine. I have a Qables silvertab LOD and a Turbodock V also that I use with smaller amps (Xtra1 and Basso T1)
I compared the LODs with the Tekkeon line out using my Xenos amp and the Ultrasone 2500 and I found that I like the Qables the best...more detailed and finer high end. The Tekkeon did not have as good a soundstage and bass as the other two...But I find that the advantages out weight the big disadvantage of size.
You are right that the mypower is a nice battery pack. My son recently flew to singapore and then on to an island off Madagascar called Maritius....the Tekkeon definitely "saved me" on those long flights.
The line out makes it very easy to connect to a cassete adapter for the car ( if your car has a Cassette player, which both my cars do) or directly to newer cars line in...which sound so much better that FM transmitters.
And the line out sounds good enough to use a mini to RCA cable and connect to your stereo or HT and the sound is very close to the analog out of a squeezebox

The set up above sits on my desk (no need for a computer setup for now) and easily brought outside to the deck and to hotels when traveling...and I do not have to charge either the Tek or amp for days at a time...

oh...and when I compared with IEM's (vibes and Mylars 3) it was difficult (tho possible with repeated listening, Lame V0 vbr) to hear the advantages of the Qable LOD

 

[bunchex]

hi tako_tsubo, you indeed touched on a very important point in my internal debate: advantages of extra battery life and possibility of charging while still having a decent line-out. Thanks for your comment. Though right now I'm feeling like trying out both to check which one will better suit my real needs would be the best way to go. Thanks a lot for all your input!

 

[tako_tsubo]

cool...that is what I did. First got the Turbo V...currently VIII I think, turbo makes a good sounding mini to mini also....different colors help