Recommendations for Ipod dock/line out adapter?

[gdg]

I finally got my hardware sorted out. It will be a Hornet/5g Ipod combination with e500 and AKG k701s. My problem right now is the dock to mini connector. I checked out the Turbodock but am not thrilled with the fact that it comes in 2 pieces (dock and mini to mini connector). Audiophile wisdom holds that less connections points are desirable. I noticed that audiolineout.com builds hardwired ipod dock to mini connectors and my instinct is that these might be better. On the other hand, since so many people seem to use the Turbodock, I suspect there are other factors involved. Can anyone make any recommendations, suggestions or comments on the subject?
Gerry

 

[Melletron]

I own four audiolineout products. A Cotton Dock, a 24 inch Cotton Dock to RCA, a Silk Dock, and the new Cyro Dock. All sound very close to one another, with the only real difference being the soundstage presentation. The cotton has the most open soundstage with the silk and the cyro coming in a close second and third respectively. All three types are VERY neutral and transparent, with deep, tight bass, silky smooth mids, and sparkling highs with no grain or shimmer that you might hear with other silver wires. So which cable to choose? For truly portable use, the Cyro is your best bet. As it is a stranded conductor, it's MUCH more durable than solid wire and for me withstands very much more than occasional bending. I'M BENDING THIS THING ALL THE TIME with my iPod clipped to my belt and my amp in my front pocket. Ive had it a few weeks now with no worries. This is a truly amazing cable as it does not sound like a stranded cable at all. For not-as-portable use where, on the go, the cable is only occasionally bent, the cotton is the one. And again, for not-as-portable use, where you need a thinner, more flexible cable, the silk is the ticket. All three sound amazing. The dock connectors lock to the iPod. Sorry I've not heard the mid and entry level products, but all posts I've read here about them have been very positive.

 

[Dash]

I have the audiolineout Bling Bling dock. It comes highly recommended. Great guy to deal with as well. He even send me 2 lengths to audition and let me pick one to keep. Highly recommended.

 

[Chef Medeski]

Can anyone compare between the Copper and the Bling Bling....

Are they both fairly good for portable use... sturdy.... flexible..

Also... any sound differences. And how do they compare to the Cotton dock?

 

[ralphp@optonline]

Hi Gerry,

One of the first things I learned about once I started checked out head-fi on a regular basis was this whole iPod lineout business. Wow, what a big difference in the sound from the headphone out jack.

As to why people choose the turbodock over the hardwired versions like the audiolineout model, I can offer two suggestions. One would price, if you already have a good quality mini to mini cable and don't see the need to spend the extra money for the additional cable. And the second reason might be if one was getting one of the turbodocks which also has a USB connection so that one could charge one's iPod while listening.

For the record I went with an audiolineout Bling Bling, which uses silver wire, and I think it sounds great connected between my iPod and my Headroom Mirco amp. I use Etymotic ER4P earphones. Highly recommended.

 

[Melletron]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef Medeski Can anyone compare between the Copper and the Bling Bling.... Are they both fairly good for portable use... sturdy.... flexible.. Also... any sound differences. And how do they compare to the Cotton dock?

I forgot to mention in my above post that the Cyro Dock is a copper cable. Although it is not the only copper cable that Ken sells, it's the only copper type from him that I've heard. For portable use, the Cyro is Ken's best offering. It is not "fairly good for portable use", but more like outstanding for portable use. Being a stranded cable it is the logical choice for the flexing and bending that can be a part of portable use. It's very sturdy and flexible. I feel set free with this cable. It probably won't sound like his other copper cables as they are not the same copper material and the geometry may be different. Also, though I am not positive, I believe the other copper cables are solid wire. While having not heard the Bling Bling, I can say that the Cyro compares very favorably to the Cotton. It's not dark like copper can be, but very balanced and neutral, like the Cotton.

 

[Chef Medeski]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melletron I forgot to mention in my above post that the Cyro Dock is a copper cable. Although it is not the only copper cable that Ken sells, it's the only copper type from him that I've heard. For portable use, the Cyro is Ken's best offering. It is not "fairly good for portable use", but more like outstanding for portable use. Being a stranded cable it is the logical choice for the flexing and bending that can be a part of portable use. It's very sturdy and flexible. I feel set free with this cable. It probably won't sound like his other copper cables as they are not the same copper material and the geometry may be different. Also, though I am not positive, I believe the other copper cables are solid wire. While having not heard the Bling Bling, I can say that the Cyro compares very favorably to the Cotton. It's not dark like copper can be, but very balanced and neutral, like the Cotton.

Yeah, the Cyro sounds like the best Line-out for portable use. Yet, I can't justify spending $80 on a line-out cable when my amp is merely double that. I'm sorry I'm just a bit stingy. Well.... some people call me crazy for having $200 headphones.... but not here... especially not HF-1s..

But, for the copper I was referring to the Ultra thin copper dock he has for $40 (much better).
Linky

That or the silver one known as the Bling Bling:
Flash Flash Bling Bling

Those are almost too expensive for me already, so I don't want to really cough up any more dough, but a good comparison of those two would be nice to hear.