I got my Redwine iMod-ed iPod today,WOW!

[ckhirnigs113]

Quote:

Originally Posted by minasoko This question has been asked in other threads, but has anyone with an iMod tried Rockbox? When comparing Rockbox to the Apple firmware on the stock 4G, for me, there's a substantial sound difference, most noticeably in bass and soundstage. Where the stock 4G was nearly unlistenable for me before, I can actually enjoy it with Rockbox. So, has anyone tried Rockbox? Anyone willing to try for the sake of "science"... or something? I can only assume that it would sound better...?

When you say this, are you comparing the "headphone-out" with either Apple firmware or Rockbox? If so, this doesn't really affect people with the iMod because they have no headphone-out, only a dedicated line-out.

The line-out (using the orig. firmware) on a non-iModded iPod is likely just as good or better than the headphone-out using Rockbox. For example, there is no bass roll-off issue when using the line-out.

I have a 4G iPod and I think there is an improvment in the headphone-out when switching from Apple's firmware to Rockbox. I just don't think this will affect those with the iMod. -CK

 

[K2Grey]

If there's an improvement to the headphone out w/ Rockbox, there will be an improvement with the iMod line out as well. This is because the iMod does not bypass the software.

 

[drp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by minasoko This question has been asked in other threads, but has anyone with an iMod tried Rockbox?

I did assume you meant line out from iMod since you seem to be using HP from your iPod. I happen to be one of the lucky few that has a Nano with the line out via a pigtail (oink mod?) and the hp out still intact. For hp out, I agree with the SQ improvement-related comments, as there seems to be a bit more air, focus, and detail.

After learning a bit more about Rockbox's operation and the fact that I can switch back and forth between each firmware with a few button clicks, I reformatted my Nano and loaded the same files for both (files are stored in a completely different manner for each; bummer……).

On to initial line out impressions. I have not done any hard A/B'ng to determine the true SQ improvements, but there does in fact seem to be a bit more resolution to the line out as well. In tracks were there are background voices, like the end of Donald Fagan's Ruby Baby, it's easier to pick out individual words with the Rockbox firmware. Keep in mind that it takes a few moments to switch back and forth, and my ability to retain what I heard for that brief moment is questionable (I'm a terrible A/B'er unless it's something that hits me squoar in the nu… uh, face.). There seems to be a better sense of clarity, space, and 3-dimensionality to the Rockbox firmware (flat, no eq, etc.). However, to my ears, the attenuation on Apple's firmware is a bit hotter, as if the line out gain is pumped up a bit. Pure speculation from a novice, mind you. For both headphone out and line out, this in itself could make for a "cleaner" sound. Hopefully more folks will test this theory.

Equipment used: DIY Kimber mini-RCA - Mapletree Ear+HD – Grado PS-1; for headphone out, Sensa 2X-S. Apple lossless format.

Lost feature: Since I can access the line out and the bottom connector at the same time, I've been using an AirClick wireless module to control the Nano while hooked to my headphone or speaker rig. AirClick does not work with the Rockbox firmware, which I find very odd.

Shameless plug: For either firmware version, Vinnie's amazing modification has me thinking I should send my Apogee Mini-DAC in for a checkup to make sure it's to spec. Incredible, Vin; just incredible!

 

[minasoko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckhirnigs113 When you say this, are you comparing the "headphone-out" with either Apple firmware or Rockbox? If so, this doesn't really affect people with the iMod because they have no headphone-out, only a dedicated line-out. The line-out (using the orig. firmware) on a non-iModded iPod is likely just as good or better than the headphone-out using Rockbox. For example, there is no bass roll-off issue when using the line-out. I have a 4G iPod and I think there is an improvment in the headphone-out when switching from Apple's firmware to Rockbox. I just don't think this will affect those with the iMod. -CK

Actually, I use the line out with Rockbox, not the headphone-out. Regarding the Apple firmware, I don't find the line out to provide as much improvement on sound quality as Rockbox does. When I tested it, I couldn't detect a difference between the line out and the headphone-out with the Apple firmware at all. I still had the bass rolloff problem.
Even though I have no way of directly A/Bing Rockbox and the Apple firmware as I only have one iPod, I can definitely tell the difference between line out Rockbox and line out Apple firmware.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2Grey If there's an improvement to the headphone out w/ Rockbox, there will be an improvement with the iMod line out as well. This is because the iMod does not bypass the software.

That's exactly what I was thinking

drp - Thanks very much for your impressions! You posted exactly what I was looking for. The iMod sounds just too unbelievable to be true

 

[fierce_freak]

excuse my confusion here...has anyone actually tried the iMod with rockbox?

 

[lexnasa]

Yes indeed, running Rockbox with iMod for the past few months. I would say the SQ improvement moving from Apple to Rockbox firmware is about half that of moving from non-iMod to iModded iPod. Make sure to get the Audiopath silver cable with the iMod, again it makes a noticable improvement.

Rockbox allows me to use Wavpack hybrid, which I find perceptually transparent at around 400k, and is around half the size of a lossless FLAC or ALAC. Gapless too, yay!

No, it's not lossless, but I produce music for a living and can't hear the difference, so bring it on!

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexnasa Yes indeed, running Rockbox with iMod for the past few months. I would say the SQ improvement moving from Apple to Rockbox firmware is about half that of moving from non-iMod to iModded iPod. Make sure to get the Audiopath silver cable with the iMod, again it makes a noticable improvement. Rockbox allows me to use Wavpack hybrid, which I find perceptually transparent at around 400k, and is around half the size of a lossless FLAC or ALAC. Gapless too, yay! No, it's not lossless, but I produce music for a living and can't hear the difference, so bring it on!

if you say rockbox it's definitely a step up from stock i-mod SOUNDWISE I'm giving it a try .
is it difficult to get in the new firmware ?

 

[Riboge]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexnasa Yes indeed, running Rockbox with iMod for the past few months. I would say the SQ improvement moving from Apple to Rockbox firmware is about half that of moving from non-iMod to iModded iPod.

I installed rockbox on my iMod today doubting this claim since the improvement going to iMod seemed alot to me. After an hour or so of listening to a variety of music encoded ALAC mostly, I have to say there is a definite improvement moving to Rockbox. I wouldn't go as far as putting it at 50% of the iMod improvement, perhaps 20% but that's surely enough to warrant the conversion to Rockbox, save perhaps for the not infrequent hangups playing ALACs in this work in progress system.

 

[fierce_freak]

Awesome, looks like I'll get the 60gb ipod I recently won on ebay iModded once I have the funds.

Which lossless codec is usually considered best in this application (i bet i'm opening a whole other can of worms).

 

[kiwirugby]

I am not sure I know which is the best lossless codec, but I am using AIFF and the reproduction is amazing. But then there are those who say that doing this is obsessive compulsive!

I think the iMod warrants it.

 

[boodi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riboge I installed rockbox on my iMod today doubting this claim since the improvement going to iMod seemed alot to me. After an hour or so of listening to a variety of music encoded ALAC mostly, I have to say there is a definite improvement moving to Rockbox. I wouldn't go as far as putting it at 50% of the iMod improvement, perhaps 20% but that's surely enough to warrant the conversion to Rockbox, save perhaps for the not infrequent hangups playing ALACs in this work in progress system.

I'd definitely like to know what kind of sound improvement do you perceive..
and how many hangups do you go through a day while listening ..

 

[Riboge]

boodi (?Boodi at the beginning of a sentence), clarity, precision, and what is called in these forums blackness of background are all enhanced. Instruments and voices just sound more real. Some may find the sound crisper and less warm, however. To me it is as if any fuzz or dust remaining on the notes after imodification has been removed.

After some other difficulties with databases, tagcache, etc, I reinstalled some of the installation of Rockbox this morning. Since then I have listened for 1.5hr with no hangups. The hangups yesterday were mostly on unusually high bit rate ALACs in the 950 to 1050 range. Most ALACs as I'm sure you know are lower than that.

This reminds me I have a Rockbox question about tagcache. It worked fine creating its database of id3 tags from music in the itunes db on my ipod . That is so with the exception that it seems not to have picked up the composer information. When you select composers in the tag listing it comes up with 0 and on its own moves on to listing titles. Artist, album, title, etc, were filled correctly. Anyone know about this or have a solution for this?

 

[shplorgh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiwirugby I am not sure I know which is the best lossless codec, but I am using AIFF and the reproduction is amazing. But then there are those who say that doing this is obsessive compulsive! I think the iMod warrants it.

All lossless codecs are exactly the same.

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hungrych All lossless codecs are exactly the same.

Exactly. If they were different in sound then they wouldn't be lossless.

 

[Skylab]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hungrych All lossless codecs are exactly the same.

Well, they SOUND the same, but they do not work exactly the same way. But there isn't one that's better than another sonically.