Tips on making a iPod Touch 2g LOD to RCA cable

[Good Times]

yes....yes I do

 

[Juaquin]

Yeah, any size is fine really. I'd stick to 1/8 or 1/4 if possible, just because they're smaller and easier to fit inside.

 

[SennheiserMiser]

Picked up 2 - 4 packs of 68K 1/4W resistors today, just waiting on the cable and connectors to arrive. Wooohoo. Two semi-related questions, when I construct the cable according to all the info in this thread, will I get the "this device not compatible etc." message with it (even though it will work), or is that part of what the bridging and the resistor takes care of? Also (sorry for the obviously newbie question) what is "Airplane mode". It's been mentioned in a few threads I've read. Thanks again to all.

 

[Juaquin]

The 68k resistor across those pins removes the message.

Airplane mode is for the iPhone - it turns off the cellular radios, which is a good idea when listening to audio because it interferes and that interference gets amplified.

 

[SennheiserMiser]

Thanks all, I've just completed my first LOD and it's been a success (pics to come). It was a very long cable 5', I know that's not ideal, but that's the distance from the shelf in my stereo setup where the iPod will sit, and the pre-amp. One question though, when I tested the cable on my Luxman receiver that I test with, there's a bit of noticeable hiss in very quiet passages of music, or when I turn the source off, but the volume is still up a bit. I assume that the length of the cable has some bearing, also I read on another DIY site that it's recommended to ground the metal shielding in the cable itself as well, something I neglected to do in my excitement to finish this one. I've not yet tried it with headphones on my main (and higher end) system, so it may be unique to the Luxman. I used a blended pin-out strategy from several of the posts, that I hope is still acceptable;

3 = Right Audio
4 = Left Audio
11 = Ground Bridged to 15 and the point I connected both Audio grounds
21 = Bridged to Ground 30 with 68k resistor, to suppress compatibility message from iPod.

I did this to spread the soldering out as much as possible. I had a bit of trouble fitting the resistor in the right hand side to keep it away from the spring clip (broke a pin, had to use one of the removed to fix). Does this use of pin outs make sense?

Thanks again for all your valuable information, and I look forward to the critiques when I post my pics.

Mike

 

[SennheiserMiser]

Here are a few pics of my first effort. It appears to work very well, the hiss I mentioned in the previous post is only apparent when I engage the noise canceling feature of my Audio-Technica ANC-7s, not on any other headphones, speakers or the passive mode of the ANC-7s. Still testing though. I welcome any feedback. Thanks

Mike

 

[Bonthouse]

looking very, very good! Is this really your first try at this?

 

[SennheiserMiser]

Thanks Bonthouse, that's very flattering especially considering your reputation and quality of work. Yep that's the first one, I've made 2 more since, one 18" LOD to RCA to connect to the stereo in our van, and a 24" LOD to 3.5mm male for a friend at work. I learn a bit each time. One question though, as it seems you've worked with both Canare and Mogami, the diameter of the Canare 23awg was a bit large for some of the connectors I worked with. Is the Mogami 26awg noticeably thinner? Where (and what part number) do you get your Mogami? Thanks again.

Mike

 

[Bonthouse]

That totally depends on what type you use.
Mogami W2534 and Canare L-4E6S are the bigger ones.
Mogami W2893 and Canare L-4E5C are the smaller versions.

I get them via a Dutch firm these days, but you could get them from Markertek or some premium wire from Parts Connexion (really top notch online shop!)

 

[nullstring]

wow, it does look good.

I was too lazy to get sleeving for of my cables, so they look kind of plain.

Next time around, I'll probably get sleeving. That really seems to be the difference between a professonal looking cable, and not so much.