Hello everyone. I'm new and have some questions regarding the iMod

isamu · « **on:** 25 Feb 2007, 04:52 am »

Hi guys nice to be here. I have a few questions about the iMod(or iPod model that can be modded into an iMod) I'm hoping you can help me with. These are very important questions that will influence my decision whether to buy one or not so please help me out:

1)Even though the headphone jack is rendered useless once the unit is iModded, can you still use the line out jack with a car cassette adapter? If so, how is the SQ though one of those? If I can't use the line out directly with the cassette adapter, can use a mini amp in between them?

2)What is the absolute biggest capacity hard drive that can fit into the iMod? I've heard there are upto 160gig laptop drives now. Can these be used in the iMod? I'm hoping for at least 80Gb of space

3)Can I use the Rockbox UI in the iMod?

Question about the iPod/iMod user interface(since I've never owned one before):

4)Do the iPod/iMod have some sort of "Now Playing" menu, similar to Creative's UI menu, where if you play a song, it falls into it's own sub-folder/sub-category and you can add to it? Creative Zen users know what I'm referring to. Does the iMod/iPod have this within its UI?

5)Can you set up the iMod to play different playlists one after the other in the order that you want? Let's say I have three playlists called U2, New Order, and Depeche Mode and I want to play them one after the other in the order that I want. Can I do this?

6)If yes to number 5, can I then re-arrange the songs I want within ALL THREE playlists in ANY order I want? For example let's say I choose all three playlists from within my iMod. Can I re-arrange the order of the songs within that playlist as it's currently playing? And can I put a track from the New Order playlist in front of a track from the U2 playlist, an order them any way I want?

These are some of the things I like about the old firmware in the Creative Nomad Jukebox series of DAPs, and I'm hoping these kinds of options are available in the iMod

7)Finally, can you tell me how the sound quality of the iMod compares to the old Creative Nomad Jukebox series of DAPs from back in the day? I do not want to part with my Jukebox 3 because the sound quality is exceptional. But given that I don't don't own an iMod, perhaps the SQ of the iMod is better, since I've nothing but fantastic things about it. Has anyone compared the two?

Thanks in advance

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Feb 2007, 03:20 pm »

Hi isamu,

Welcome to Audiocircle and the RWA forum!

>>I have a few questions about the iMod(or iPod model that can be modded into an iMod)

I'll try to answer your questions... at least the ones regarding the iMod.

1) Correct... the headphone jack gets converted to the the new, modified line-out jack. I'm not sure if it will work with your cassette adapter (specs?). However, if you are planning on using a cassette adapter, I wouldn't spend the money on the iMod because the sound quality via cassette adapters is not that good.

The iMod is really only intended to be used as a high quality source for use in a 2-channel home stereo (connected to a preamp or integrated amp) or for use with a high quality headphone amp + headphones.

2) As of now, it is 60GB. I am waiting for both Toshiba and Seagate to come out with 100GB and 120GB drives, respectively, with the same ATA inferface as used in the iPods that I modify. Once it is available, I will test them out and see if they can be installed.

3) Yes

4) YES

5) I'm not sure... I would post on any of the numerous Apple iPod forums online and I'm sure someone knows about this

6) See # 5 above

7) I never heard this player, so I cannot tell you how the iMod compares. You might want to post on headfi.com (portable audio forum) as there are MANY iMod users there.

Here are some links on headfi to iMod customer feedback:

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=164121&highlight=%22wow%22+%22iMod%22

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=197511&highlight=iMod

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=195089&highlight=iMod

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=203157&highlight=iMod

If you have time, I would first search through these and see if you find answers regarding the comparison you are lookiing for. There are lots of comparisons of the iMod to other players in these links.

Best regards,

Vinnie

isamu · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Feb 2007, 04:07 am »

Thanks Vinnie, I'll keep that in mind

isamu · « **Reply #3 on:** 27 Feb 2007, 04:21 am »

Vinnie or anyone else....

have any of you compared the sound quality of an iMod to a PC using Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 2Z cards? If so, how do they compare? Can the iMod keep up with say, WinAmp using a sound blaster card?

isamu · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 Feb 2007, 03:14 am »

Vinnie or anyone else....

have any of you compared the sound quality of an iMod to a PC using Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 2Z cards? If so, how do they compare? Can the iMod keep up with say, WinAmp using a sound blaster card?

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Mar 2007, 05:19 pm »

Quote from: isamu on 28 Feb 2007, 03:14 am

Vinnie or anyone else....

have any of you compared the sound quality of an iMod to a PC using Creative's Sound Blaster Audigy 2Z cards? If so, how do they compare? Can the iMod keep up with say, WinAmp using a sound blaster card?

Hi isamu,

I have never used any computer sound cards in my audio system (such as the one you listed above), so unfortunately, I cannot compare them.

Best regards,

Vinnie

isamu · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 07:02 pm »

Quote from: Vinnie R. on 3 Mar 2007, 05:19 pm

I have never used any computer sound cards in my audio system (such as the one you listed above), so unfortunately, I cannot compare them.

Best regards,

Vinnie

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else here made the comparison?

gooberdude · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 07:48 pm »

Hey,

i've had the Imod for about a week now....its just insane. i knew it would be better than the stock Ipod I sent to vinnie, had no clue it would be completely different though. There's only 80 hrs on it thus far...

this is just a guess based off a week of rocking out, but since its battery powered (and Redwine modded)you might have to spend a fortune on a computer based system to rival this thing.

my 'puter is decent with an M-Audio 24/96 card, Silclear'd internal connections, Granite Digital cable for the burner, maple platform, hyped up cooling and no vibration inside the case...and i run Foobar. there's no way it can hold a flame to the Imod though. Imod's bass & imaging are wicked. Imod controls my subwoofer's better than any other source i've used in my L/R...grabs them by the balls would be a perfect description.

this weekend, hopefully, i'm gonna pit Imod against a fully modded Jolida tube cd player...

I had my 'pod modded to hold off switching to a computer based server system for a year. it was a very wise decision on my part.

i've never heard a computer based system with a USB DAC...this would elimate the soundcard issue altogether. still, for the $ & simplicity the Imod is a winner.

matt

isamu · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 08:08 pm »

Thanks for the reply man. I would mostly be using the iMod in my car.

The iMod would probably come out a bit cheaper but not by much, since I would need a *Soundgate AUXMB1* which is another $260. This allows me to link up any iPod to my car CD changer's auxillery inputs.

iMod $400+Soundgate Aulmbox $260= $660.

I wonder how much it would cost to get a Carputer instead?

Paul_Bui · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 08:15 pm »

If I am to get a car with Ipod ready feature, will I be able to use the Imod in that car? There's a 1/8" jack hidden in the center armrest, which I think is for the Ipod connection.

Jampot · « **Reply #10 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 08:37 pm »

Quote

I would need a *Soundgate AUXMB1*

How would the 'carputer' connect then?

The quick look I had at the link seems to suggest that the car has a 'super-duper' fibre optic cabling system. It must surely finish up as an analogue signal somewhere in the chain and thats where the iMod needs feeding to.

Besides, the beauty of the iMod is you can use it anywhere - the 'carputer' and Soundgate gadgets are only any good for the car.

Paul,

If the arm rest jack is an input then it will surely work. The (relatively) low output of the iMod may mean you have to turn the volume up compared to the integrated tuner and cdp, and Vinnie will probably suggest it may not be at it's best if the impedance isn't ideal (he always says a headphone amp is required for listening through head phones and so it may be for top quality) but heck, this is a car for goodness sake and we already compromised the whole audio chain!

I belong in the iMod enthusiast camp. When I bought it, it was for my office system (with a Clari-T) but i now use it in the car (thru the stereo) and on the 'plane with headphones (and no amp), and best of all - impressing the heck out of folk who think they have great music systems and can't believe how good it sounds.

I have a decent quality minijack to phono lead for connecting to conventional amps and a very short minijack to minijack for other use.

Get one while you can

gooberdude · « **Reply #11 on:** 28 Mar 2007, 09:40 pm »

How do you listen with headphones & no amp?? that's really the achillies heel of the design, but
after finally getting one I could care less. It would be so stylin' to rock the Imod on a plane (traveling) & not have a separate head amp to lug around.

the Imod in my car is SO cool. Previously i had a cable with the doc connector, shopping for a decent $50 1/4" cable to go in its place. Sounds like i have subs in my car now...

Also, the Imod seems to have a more robust output than a normal Ipod. It may be the increase in dynamics that is giving me this impression though. My TVC preamp is a bit fussy with matching sources, but the Imod is perfect match.

TVC + Imod = aa

what gets me about this little thing is the size of the internals which deal with the audio signal, compared to any other gear i've owned....i'm getting to a 'big capacitor vs little cap' discussion probably, for another thread. Ie, how can the sound be SO big from Imod, when its so darn small??

Vinnie should send out the finished Imods with Jackson Pollack'esque paint threwn all over - Imod is a big, big party compared to a normal Ipod. the all white case just doesn't do it justice anymore!

Jampot · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 08:30 am »

Quote

How do you listen with headphones & no amp??

Use this

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00001P4XH/104-4170178-9164719?SubscriptionId=108P28193HCTR2B9FAR2

It aint a TVC but it gets the job done aa

Jim

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Mar 2007, 02:37 pm »

Quote from: gooberdude

i've had the Imod for about a week now....its just insane. i knew it would be better than the stock Ipod I sent to vinnie, had no clue it would be completely different though. There's only 80 hrs on it thus far...

Imod's bass & imaging are wicked. Imod controls my subwoofer's better than any other source i've used in my L/R...grabs them by the balls would be a perfect description.

Hi Gooberdude,

Thanks for posting your impressions and I'm glad that you are enjoying your iMod!

Quote

If I am to get a car with Ipod ready feature, will I be able to use the Imod in that car? There's a 1/8" jack hidden in the center armrest, which I think is for the Ipod connection.

Hi Paul,

A lot of newer cars are including an "AUX" input jack. It is almost always a 1/8" stereo input jack. Both of our vehicles have this, and this is perfect for the iMod.

Quote

what gets me about this little thing is the size of the internals which deal with the audio signal, compared to any other gear i've owned....i'm getting to a 'big capacitor vs little cap' discussion probably, for another thread. Ie, how can the sound be SO big from Imod, when its so darn small??

All sources output low-voltage signals (1 or 2 volts is very common). It doesn't matter if the DAC chip is installed in a big music server, standard-sized CDP, or something smaller like the iMod, it is still doing the same thing.

Smaller is good... in the iPod, you are talking about tiny signal paths, very compact board layout and a very good design. Also, it is power efficient and already battery powered

I'd bet anything that if the iPod wasn't sold in mass quantites via Apple, but instead it was made by a small audiophile company in significantly smaller quantities, you'd be pay at least 10x more for the unit.

Quote

Vinnie should send out the finished Imods with Jackson Pollack'esque paint threwn all over - Imod is a big, big party compared to a normal Ipod. the all white case just doesn't do it justice anymore!

Did you see this thread on headfi aa:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=232681

Best regards,

Vinnie

schotter · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 Apr 2007, 04:12 am »

Quote

Use this
http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00001P4XH/104-4170178-9164719?SubscriptionId=108P28193HCTR2B9FAR2
It aint a TVC but it gets the job done aa
Jim

Here is a question:
Does this thing regulate the volume, when the regular line-out of the Imod is too loud?
My Imod is perfect except for the fact that I cannot use it in my car due to the fact that I use this fancy cassette adaptor Isamus relates to.

Which is sort of an answer to Isamus' 'can you still use the line out jack with a car cassette adapter' question:
No, I tried it and the line-out without volume control blast out at a too high volume for my cheapo adapter, the sound is distorted. As much as I love my Imod at home in my system, it is pretty much disabled in my car in connection with my $10 gear. Sure, as Vinnie states, the sound quality won't be sufficient to justify the mod but if I'd do it again, I'd get the option with external headphone jack for more flexibility.

isamu · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 Apr 2007, 04:34 am »

Quote from: schotter on 10 Apr 2007, 04:12 am

Quote
Use this
http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00001P4XH/104-4170178-9164719?SubscriptionId=108P28193HCTR2B9FAR2
It aint a TVC but it gets the job done aa
Jim

Here is a question:
Does this thing regulate the volume, when the regular line-out of the Imod is too loud?
My Imod is perfect except for the fact that I cannot use it in my car due to the fact that I use this fancy cassette adaptor Isamus relates to.

Which is sort of an answer to Isamus' 'can you still use the line out jack with a car cassette adapter' question:
No, I tried it and the line-out without volume control blast out at a too high volume for my cheapo adapter, the sound is distorted. As much as I love my Imod at home in my system, it is pretty much disabled in my car in connection with my $10 gear. Sure, as Vinnie states, the sound quality won't be sufficient to justify the mod but if I'd do it again, I'd get the option with external headphone jack for more flexibility.

Interesting. That's why I am looking into a possible AUX in converter for my Mercedes. The *Dension Gateway 500* is one such example.

gooberdude · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 Apr 2007, 09:01 pm »

hey Schotter,

My guess is that $10 in-line attenuator would work with your car's tape player adapter...its just a simple attentuator.

If i'm looking at it right, it would plug into the Imod jack and then your tape adapter would plug into the attenuator.

For $10 that's a nifty thing.

schotter · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 Apr 2007, 11:42 pm »

yup, thanks. Ordered one after posting yesterday, definitively worth the try...

gooberdude · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Apr 2007, 02:36 pm »

I hope that works for you.

Is your cassette adapter one of those standard adapters from way back when that looks just like a cassette & has a mini plug one the other end??

if so, that's odd that it wouldn't handle Imod's output...just wondering if your cassette adapter might be broken. The car's stereo should be able to take the volume from off to full without hassle.

I haven't used Imod with one, but i used my Ipod through one on many occasions with a portable boombox.

isamu · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Apr 2007, 05:45 pm »

Well, I'm using that type of cassette adaptor with my Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 mp3 player and it works fine, but sound quality on a lot of songs leaves a lot to be desired. That's why it's much better to go directly into an AUX input.

But I wonder if the SQ depends of the type/brand of cassette adapter itself?