[Dexdexter]

iQube site now functional HERE

i-Qube
Lightweight, portable, high-efficiency Class D Headphone amplifier

Electrical designed by Bruno Putzeys (Hypex UcD / Grimm Audio) and Guido Tent (TentLabs / Grimm Audio)

-Runs on 4x AAA alkaline or rechargeables

-PC/USB or any 5 to 25V regulated wall adapter chargeable

-Extreme efficiency (90-95%); about 80hrs run time on alkaline; rechargeable: typically 60hrs on 1 charge

-Size: as big as the 80G iPod only a couple of mm thicker!
-Weight: 185 grams!

8-fold output buffer for a (near to) load independent output behaviour
4th order loop for minimum distortion
Fixed, phase-shifted carrier wave, oscillator for de-coupling the common ground behaviour between left and right channel
Ultra Low noise input inverters to prevent the need for output impedance matching

Top A-grade components used:
- Medical graded double layer epoxy using HOFC (High Oxygen Free Copper)
- Optimised board design for optimum signal routing
- Alps potentiometer
- Visay series 036 decoupling capacitors throuhout
- Panasonic stack film capacitors
- Carbon signal resistors
- Lumberg I/O connectors

Fully RoHS compliant

Retro art design, CNC machined aluminium casing
Rubber touch feel painted covers

Technical Specifications
Input impedance:
10k ohm

Voltage gain:
low gain: 2
high gain 7

Frequency response @ 200 mV into a 16 Ohm load:
5 - 50 kHz. (-3 dB)

Maximum output power per channel from 20-20,000Hz:
160 mW_16 ohm
80 mW_32 ohm
12 mW_200 ohm

Output impedance:
<0,1 ohm @ f<5kHz
< 1,5 ohm @ 20kHz

THD at 200mV output (typ) 0.01%:
(max) 0.03%.

Output noise:
10uV (unweighted)

Charge input:
any DC voltage between 5V and 20V, polarity protected
battery charge current: 0,3A
typical charger current consumption @ 5Vdc input: 0,4A
typical charger current consumption @ 20Vdc input: 0,1A

Comes packed in a smooth, semi gloss dark grey/black box. (2nd and 3rd gen iPod type of box) and standard with 4 alkaline and a right-angled, goldplated 8" mini mini

Price: 399 Euro (inc VAT; no VAT outside Europe, price to be determined)

 

[TzeYang]

looks beautiful but Class D???

C'mon, why do they need it to be that way? Class AB if designed properly can give you tons of operating hours already T_T.

 

[J.D.N]

That website needs a gallery! No indication of price though...

 

[Dzjudz]

battery life?

 

[Dual]

The input and output are at the back? Weird.

 

[Dexdexter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by J.D.N /img/forum/go_quote.gif That website needs a gallery! No indication of price though...

I guess that's gonna have to wait for the "official" announcement over at iPod Studio.

I wasn't intending to scoop them here, but when the specs went live on the iQube site, it kinda became fair game!

 

[DennyL]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TzeYang /img/forum/go_quote.gif looks beautiful but Class D??? C'mon, why do they need it to be that way?

We will start to know the answer to that question when people start to hear the sound quality and when we know the battery life. It looks pretty cool to me.

 

[Skylab]

I am going to get one of these to review. Sounds like a very interesting product.

 

[PhaedrusX]

could someone enlighten the uninitiated, and share some of the differences between class a/b/d?

i understand that class d is more efficient but am unsure why, and are there any other differences in performance?

 

[rxc]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhaedrusX /img/forum/go_quote.gif could someone enlighten the uninitiated, and share some of the differences between class a/b/d? i understand that class d is more efficient but am unsure why, and are there any other differences in performance?

I'd like to know this as well.

 

[Agnostic]

Class D Amplifier:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Switching_amplifier

 

[Wotan1]

If it sound is as good as it looks, then I'm in...

This amp is developed by top of the bill engineers. So it has to sound top of the bill..

Another couple of weeks to go and we will know...

 

[Dexdexter]

Anybody already hear the iQube at the VAD Show today?

Would love to see some impressions on the sound quality...

 

[mrarroyo]

It is a very interesting unit and it looks very nice as well. I have sent iQube an information request. Can't wait for their response.

 

[dropkickduffy]

Wow, that amp looks sexy! Hopefully the sound is great and the price is reasonable.

(Just in case anyone missed the other thread, here's a link:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=266166)