SEABREEZE. Hi. I think I understand what you are trying to do. Some of it is impossible, and some of it is tremendously more difficult than you think. I’m going to discuss in reverse order of your list above.
Your stated objective is to use the imod 30 pin to usb mini into the DAC of the intruder. This is not possible because of the nature of the imod. The imod is bypassing the internal amplifier of the ipod. This gives you a direct line out from the DAP to the intruder. This is almost as good as you can get for using an ipod as a transport. However, it is an analog signal, not digital. Therefore you would use the 1/8” single ended input into the intruder. (Also, please read the imod page where it cautions you against using your imod with any other docks other than the imod cable that came with it. It could damage equipment.)
If you had a standard (older) ipod with a 30 pin output. You can buy the Cypher Labs 30 pin to usb b mini cable (see moon audio or cypher labs for this cable). You still could not use this directly into the RSA intruder DAC. RSA Intruder is not apple certified. In this case, you could use something like the Cypher Labs Algorhythm Solo (I suggest the balanced –dB model).
You would go ipod > 30 pin to usb B mini > CL Algorhythm Solo > balanced kobiconn cable > balanced input to intruder > balanced output to headphones.
Here is a post from Acesi7 with the above setup. Only using an SR71 instead of intruder.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/549750/cypher-labs-algorhythm-solo-discussion-and-impressions-thread/255#post_7655275
For android smartphones, I believe you need a micro B OTG to mini B connector. You need to look for a cable that specifies On The Go (OTG). That forces the phone to be the driving end of the USB stream, and not the receiving end. Phones are primarily set up as receiving end of the USB stream. And the micro B to mini B - OTG cable is not common. There is a thread about that, but I dropped off it a year ago.
I have looked at exactly what you want to do for the past couple of years. Here is what I've determined:
Ray's Intruder is a fantastic piece of kit, and sounds great using the standard 30 pin ipod connector to single ended input. You already have the iMod which is supposed to be fantastic. You should simply connect the imod to the single ended input of the intruder, and Jingle-BAM. Happiness.
When I wanted digital, I left apple completely and went with a DAP that can handle FLAC.
If you have a touch or iphone, you can download the FLAC player from apple, but it is still limited to 16/48, I believe. And you will still have apple compatibility requirements for the hardware.
If you want HD tracks quality, you have to get a DAP that will handle that. I went with the iBasso DX50. But DX90 is nice. And products from fiio, and Astell & Kern are options as well.
No matter what, the intruder is awesome.
HI Howlin, >>> Could not agree with you more about your statement Jingle-BAM Happiness feeding the I Mod .. Thanks for all the great info you supplied
