Lehmann Black Cube Linear + AKG K702 + iPod Touch -> Plausible combination?

[BritneySpears]

I have recently changed jobs and to my great delight we are allowed to listen to music in our office (a big no no with my old company). So I feel ready to join your sect and purchase some decent gear. After reading quite a bit of forum and blog posts, I have my mind on the following combo:
 

1. Cans: AKG K702
2. Amp: Lehmann Black Cube Linear
3. Source: Apple iPod Touch (I already have one)
4. Dock: Sendstation PocketDock

 
I would be thankful (being a complete novice) to hear some opinions about this combo. I know that the iPod Touch is a substandard sound source but since I'm doing mobile app development for a living it offers the added benefit of serving in my fleet of test devices.
 
My main concern is how the iPod Touch and the Black Cube Linear work together. Especially connected via the PocketDock. Does anybody use these together?
 
I thought about buying a LOD but I dislike the idea for several reasons:

1. Most of them constantly charge the battery, which I don't want. Afaik the Arcam irDock is the only LOD where you can switch the charging off.
2. I often use the iPod for checking e-mails or as a test device and this is next to impossible if its in a LOD.
3. I simply don't need the additional features most LOD seem to offer, like remote controls, S-Video outs and so on.

 
Sound wise I'm looking for a linear and unbiased sound. If the K702 and the Black Cube will highlight the error of the recording, so be it. 
 
 
 

 

[Willakan]

I really, really would recommend a line-out dock. The ipod's DAC is fine, but you won't even get a flat frequency response from the headphone out.
Secondly, a line-out dock for an ipod can just be a wire that plugs in the bottom - doesn't have to charge it or offer tonnes of features. Obviously, this would impede mobility, but I don't feel the headphone out of an ipod is really an appropriate thing to feed an amp with. 

 

[BritneySpears]

Thanks for your answer. The PocketDock does grab the signal from the line out of the iPod Touch, so this isn't the problem. I should have been more clear on that, I guess.
I'm just concerned since it is a rather flimsical piece of plastic without platted contacts it will compromise the sound compared to, say, the Arcam ir Dock.

 

[Willakan]

Oh, if it's a line out, go right ahead. Plated contacts have nothing to do with sound quality - it's just to resist corrosion. Don't listen to the people who attribute sound signatures to different metals. 

 

[Acix]

A more natural amp for the K-702 is the SPL auditor, and if you prefer a warmer sound presentation with more bass you can try the Violectric V100. Just have fun at your new job.

 

[ballcall2]

I recommend also adding the hrt iStreamer- a dac that can convert digital data from the ipod to analog. It has much better SQ than of the ipod built in dac.

 

[Acix]

I never tried this option, but If the op using ipod/iphone he can go directly into the hp amp (better to have gain control with the hps amp).

 

[BritneySpears]

@Acix: Thanks for your input. The SPL Auditor does certainly look interesting and it's in the same price range as the Black Cube Linear. The Auditor has XLR inputs, the Black Cube RCA ones. I personally would prefer RCA inputs in a non-professional setup. Could you give my some reasons, why the Auditor would work better with the K702s? 
 
@BallCalls2: Think I will add an external DAC to the line-up if I'm really disappointed by iPOD DAC. But right now, the above mentioned setup is expensive enough.

 

[Acix]

Quote:

@Acix: Thanks for your input. The SPL Auditor does certainly look interesting and it's in the same price range as the Black Cube Linear. The Auditor has XLR inputs, the Black Cube RCA ones. I personally would prefer RCA inputs in a non-professional setup. Could you give my some reasons, why the Auditor would work better with the K702s? 
 
 

SPL Auditor, pro transparent sound with a great balanced, and enough voltage to drive the K702 to the top. The other option will be the V100 with more warm sound signature and can drive the 702s with no problems.The SPL will be the studio reference, and the V100 will be the cozy and fun sound club.

 

[BritneySpears]

Thanks! But one more question: you think going from the unbalanced microjack output of the LOD to the balanced XLR input of the Auditor is can be done without problems or loss of SQ?

 

[tvrboy]

Hello Britney Spears! Glad to see a celebrity here lol. I think the Auditor and V100 will both be fine choices for the K701. I have owned the V100 and it will drive anything. Haven't owned the Auditor, but it judging by its specs it has enough power. You know, a simple line-out dock does not take the pure digital signal from an ipod. It still goes through some processing inside the ipod first. You need an Apple-certified product like HRT's iStreamer that can access the unaltered digital data. Unfortunately, these products are still very few. But the iStreamer is pretty affordable. That's what I would get if i was in your position.
 
Also, the K702 is an open headphone. Anybody within 20 feet will hear all of your music. Just a thought if you are listening in the office. 
 
Going from balanced to unbalanced connections will not affect sound quality.

 

[BritneySpears]

@tvrboy: Thanks for your input. I know that the K702 is an open headphone. But your "20 feet" comment is making me think again. Right now I'm using a very beaten Sennheiser HD 500 (I know, I know ) which was marketed as "semi-open" and at my listening level none of my colleagues hears anything. But one of them is using a Sennheiser HD 465 and it leaks sound like crazy. But he is listening to music at a much higher level. 
 
When I'm wearing a closed headphone, I feel to isolated from my surroundings to be comfortable in an office. It's a difficult choice.

 

[tvrboy]

Well, 20 feet assumes you are playing your music loudly. If you play it softly, then open headphones are OK. Just use your co-worker's open headphone as a guide. Can I give you another suggestion? In your price range, you could find a used HE-5 and used EF-5. That combination is better, in my opinion. I'm a big fan of the HiFiMAN planar headphones. They get tonality just right and play well at soft volumes. Pair that with an inexpensive DAC and that will make a great setup. How big is your head? If it's small, the HE-5 will slide around. If it's big, they may stay in place while you work. Actually, my first choice is STAX, but you don't wanna be seen wearing those in the office!

 

[BritneySpears]

Lol, the STAX would be just too expensive for my taste. I think, I'd be confident enough to wear them at my office.