- Joined
- Nov 4, 2003
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I've completed my portable rig setup, and just had to post some pics (taken with my new Canon Digital Rebel XTi). I took a look at how others had set up their rigs, and took the best of the ideas I saw. I wanted to get the best possible sound in the most compact possible size. I chose:
iMod (with Vakadoo Domino case) + ALO mini-to-mini + Tomahawk + Shure e500
I attached the cased iMod to the Tomahawk with black velcro strips, keeping the velcro off the actual iMod and the logo side of the Tomahawk. I had a 2.5" (cable length only) mini-to-mini made, with one end right-angled. I wanted to avoid the large cable loop I see on so many portable rigs, where the cable increases the total length of the combo by quite a bit.
I have to say, I'm thrilled with this combo. The sound is just incredible. I was already a big fan of the e500s straight out of my 5G iPod. The Tomahawk was a huge improvement. The e500s completely lose their iPod impedance-induced hiss once the Tomahawk is added, as well as gain a much cleaner sound. Instruments can be heard individually, a huge amount of muddiness is removed. To the point where at first it sounds like you've lost a ton of your sound, but after a few times back and forth, you realize that extra "sound" was just muddy noise. You're left with a joyous black background. There are other improvements, but I don't have the words to explain exactly how. It just sounds better.
Switching from the 5G (with ALO cryo-dock) to the iMod was another huge leap forward. It's a change that didn't strike me when I first switched, but with every listen I realized more and more what a terrific change it was. With the iMod, voices and instruments come out of NOWHERE. It's just amazing. Singers are right there with you. Soundstage (with the e500 stock tips) is ridiculous (good ridiculous) for IEMs. The iMod takes full advantage of the Tomahawk's low noise floor, as it completely removes the veil from the music. When combined, the sound isolation from the e500s, the pitch black background of the Tomahawk, and the striking clarity of the iMod offer up what I have to assume is the finest sounding portable rig money can currently buy (for roughly $1200). After switching to the iMod, I find I am able to listen to the music at (perceived) louder levels without fatigue. The sound is just so pleasing and right. This is all at 256 AAC VBR.
iMod (with Vakadoo Domino case) + ALO mini-to-mini + Tomahawk + Shure e500
I attached the cased iMod to the Tomahawk with black velcro strips, keeping the velcro off the actual iMod and the logo side of the Tomahawk. I had a 2.5" (cable length only) mini-to-mini made, with one end right-angled. I wanted to avoid the large cable loop I see on so many portable rigs, where the cable increases the total length of the combo by quite a bit.
I have to say, I'm thrilled with this combo. The sound is just incredible. I was already a big fan of the e500s straight out of my 5G iPod. The Tomahawk was a huge improvement. The e500s completely lose their iPod impedance-induced hiss once the Tomahawk is added, as well as gain a much cleaner sound. Instruments can be heard individually, a huge amount of muddiness is removed. To the point where at first it sounds like you've lost a ton of your sound, but after a few times back and forth, you realize that extra "sound" was just muddy noise. You're left with a joyous black background. There are other improvements, but I don't have the words to explain exactly how. It just sounds better.
Switching from the 5G (with ALO cryo-dock) to the iMod was another huge leap forward. It's a change that didn't strike me when I first switched, but with every listen I realized more and more what a terrific change it was. With the iMod, voices and instruments come out of NOWHERE. It's just amazing. Singers are right there with you. Soundstage (with the e500 stock tips) is ridiculous (good ridiculous) for IEMs. The iMod takes full advantage of the Tomahawk's low noise floor, as it completely removes the veil from the music. When combined, the sound isolation from the e500s, the pitch black background of the Tomahawk, and the striking clarity of the iMod offer up what I have to assume is the finest sounding portable rig money can currently buy (for roughly $1200). After switching to the iMod, I find I am able to listen to the music at (perceived) louder levels without fatigue. The sound is just so pleasing and right. This is all at 256 AAC VBR.
