[lousyreeds1]

Hi all (and Vinnie),

I received my iMod and audiopath cable a week ago today, and it's been playing non-stop since then.  That's about 160 hrs of burn in.  The transformation in sound from last week to now has been astounding.  What started as hollow, small, grainy, congested sound is now absolutely stunning in clarity, openness, detail, directness, and sweetness.  Vinnie, you once said the iMod isn't the last word in microdetail.  Bull!  It's a helluva lot more detailed than my old CD player which cost over twice the price.   

Thanks, Vinnie.  The iMod has made a HUGE difference in my system.  I was missing a lot of life before, and this has brought it back.  Before the iMod arrived, I was considering selling my speakers, but now I remember why I chose them in the first place!  Now they'll stay for the long haul.

There's one thing that I'm missing, though: extended bass.  Not hearing the thwomp I'm used to.  Do you think I need more break in time?  Might something about the iMod necessitate repositioning the speakers a bit?

My system, for your reference:

Silverline SR15 monitors
Unison Unico hybrid integrated amp
iMod!!!
audiopath and Analysis Plus cabling
(and a Nottingham Horizon SE turntable with RB300 and Grado Gold  )

Thanks, all, for your help.  I'm enjoying this thing so much...

[Vinnie R.]

Hi lousyreeds1,

Thanks for your post, and I'm glad you are enjoying the iMod!

There's one thing that I'm missing, though: extended bass.  Not hearing the thwomp I'm used to.  Do you think I need more break in time?

The bass does fill in and the BG caps are notorious for taking 200+ hours.  If you really want to speed up the burn-in, you can try using 5k load resistors connected to a 1/8" sterep plug.  One resistor from L+ to GND, and the other from R+ to GND.  Run it on "repeat album" connected to the ac power adapter for a few days and give it another listen.

Note, the output voltage of the iMod is only 1Vrms, so you will also need to turn up the volume a bit more in order to "level match" it to your CD player if doing comparisons.  The source with the higher output voltage sometimes gives the impression of having more X (where X can be bass, top end detail, dynamics, etc). 

Also, I think you'll find that the iMod's bass is very tight and controlled.  Some sources don't have the same level of articulation and the bass is more "bloated" or "over emphasized."  It might sound like more bass, but IMO it is the bass quality that really counts.  This is how I find some lower powered tube amps to sound like (e.g. SETs)... the bass doesn't have the control and definition that satisfies me.  They can be muddy, and I HATE muddy bass because it doesn't sound realistic.

Thanks, all, for your help.  I'm enjoying this thing so much...

Thanks for posting, and keeping us posted! 

Best regards,

Vinnie

 

[Canyoneagle]

I'm expecting my iMod any day now    so I can continue my own burn-in process.

I'll post findings here.

Yeeehaaaaw!

[lousyreeds1]

Thanks, Vinnie!  I'll do another week of burn in and then check back in.  Suffice it to say, I no longer have a CD player to compare to the iMod 

Best,
Oliver

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Oliver,

Thanks for keeping us posted.

BTW, did you see this:

http://www.alive-style.com/remote.html

Now you really don't need a CD player! 

I'll have to order one of these!

Vinnie

[lousyreeds1]

Hey Vinnie,

I've been checking out the iPod remotes, and this one definitely looks like the best.  At $129, it's cheaper than some others like it, but still pricey!

Best,
Oliver

[saisunil]

Hi Vinnie,

Received my iMod - thanks. I am burning it in by plugging the line-out to headphone amp (turned off).
I have put 20 hours or so - so I have a couple more weeks to go - it seems.

I will hold off posting my comparison with 5G as the iMod sounds congested - as warned!

Also - I want to be sure that the Alive Remote with work with the iMod

http://www.alive-style.com/remote.html

Thanks
Sunil.

[gooberdude]

It looks like there are several ways to connect your ipod to that Remote Dock...which is quite cool.

Comprehensive Connectivity
With the original iPod lineout, mini stereo audio lineout and S-Video lineout, you can connect to our Popalive dock and enjoy a direct and clear connection to your multimedia appliances. Control playback from a distance using the Popalive Remote.

this above is from the website you posted.     I don't have an Imod (yet) but my understanding is the bottom line out is disabled and only the headphone out works.  According to the site you linked to, the remote dock you own should work fine with the Imod.

This is good to know, i'm considering an Imod but want a Remote dock.  a buddy has one that connects to the TV screen, so you have a giant sized ipod menu, but i think the bottom line out (original Ipod line out) is the only way to connect the ipod with that particular remote dock - not sure of the mfgr...