[procreate]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=240110

The word was always that:

1. The only iPod worth modding is the 4G because of the Wolfson DAC

2. Not enough space in other iPods

So, anything to add, Vinnie?   aa

[Vinnie R.]

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=240110

The word was always that:

1. The only iPod worth modding is the 4G because of the Wolfson DAC

2. Not enough space in other iPods

So, anything to add, Vinnie?   aa

Hi Procreate,

The cat is out of the bag... the 5G/5.5G (iPod Video models) iMods are coming!     

I am aiming to be ready to offer these by the end of this month.  I will keep you all updated and will be updating the iMod website.

The 5G also uses a Wolfson dac.  The main problem was that there is not enough space inside of the iPod Video models for the upgraded signal coupling caps that I install as part of the iMod. 

I've been working with Ken Ball of ALO Audio and we determined that these caps can actually be installed inside of the dock connector plug that is featured in his ALO dock cables.  So for the upcoming 5G iMod, I will take the line-out signal directly off of the internal Wolfson DAC and hard wire it to the dock connector.  Just like the 4G iMod that I've been doing, this will bypass the stock opamp output stages, stock signal coupling caps before and after the op-amp, the tiny board traces, and other components in the signal path (resistors, inductors, etc.).  The custom ALO cable will contain the upgraded signal coupling caps inside of the dock connector plug of the cable.  He will offer this cable terminated with RCA plugs, or with a 1/8" stereo mini plug.  I believe he is working on a few different versions as well.

Regarding sound quality, at the HE2007 we compared the new 5G iMod to the 4G iMod playing the same WAV file.  These were connected to a RWA Signature 30 amp, and driving the Omega Max Hemp speakers.

The 5G iMod barely had any burn-in time on the BG caps (under 10 hours) and the 4G iMod was very well broken-in.  Even without the burn-in, the 5G iMod was just good as the 4G, but appeared to have even better bass attack!  I am really excited to see how good this 5G will sound with more use!  It has the potential to sound quite a bit better as the BG caps burn-in. 

The 5G/5.5G iMod will require that I modify the unit as described above, AND you must use the custom ALO 5G iMod cable (with installed BG caps).  Otherwise, there will be DC offset voltage on the line-out pins of the dock connector.  This cable will be sold by ALO Audio.  I will not be making these cables.  ALO will be selling fully modded 5G units with his custom cable.  For those that already own the 5G unit, they can be sent to me for the 5G iMod and you can order the cable from Ken.
 
The good news is that the stock headphone output is preserved 

The other good news is that since the upcoming larger hard drives (120GB) will only be made with ZIF connectors, these will be able to be installed in the 5G iMods.  aa

The 5G also features gapless playback (for those who find this to be very important).

The not-so-good news for me is that performing the mod in the 5G iPod is much more time-consuming and difficult (very risky!).  Unfortunately, this also means that the price of the 5G iMod will be more than that of the 4G iMod 

More to follow...

Thank you for all your interest!

Vinnie

[procreate]

Wow, thanks for the thorough explanation. I hope the HES brought you lots of new customers!

[Seyoon4825]

Hi Vinnie. Thanks for the wonderful news. I'm glad the iMod is now not only limited to the 4th generation iPod and I hope the circle will grow some more. In light of your explanation on how you and ALO did the mod, it got me thinking. I believe it's now possible for the iMod to be done on the Creative ZVM too, coz from what I can recall, ALO also sells line-out docks for ZVMs. So if you can also bypass the signal in the ZVM and Ken can put the caps in the dock, we've got another baby. If this is possible, then its also good news to Creative fans out there plus the iMod would have a broader range of customers outside iPod. I believe Creative is also about to release a second generation of the ZVM very soon. If the iMod for ZVM is indeed possible, I'll be very glad to also announce this at the Epizenter forums. On another note, ALO also sells docks to the Cowon X5 line-out. I surely hope RWA and ALO will be able to provide these units with the iMod evolution. Who knows how big the future of the iMod will be.

Thanks again for the developments and dedication.

[immtbiker]

Hi Vinnie,
It was great finally meeting you in NYC this weekend. Good luck with your new venture.

Immtbiker

[Vinnie R.]

All,

The ALO Audio page for the 5G/5.5G iMod is now up: http://www.aloaudio.com/imod/5gimod.html

Here you will find details/pricing on the iMod Dock cables.


Hi Seyoon4825,

For now, we are only going to be working with the iMods, but it is possible that will can expand to other DAPs such as the ones that you mentioned.  Thank you for your interest and suggestions.

Hi immtbiker,

It was very nice to meet you as well... thanks for visiting us!  Hope you enjoyed the show as much as we did!

Hi procreate,

Thank you!  Since HE2007 I have been flooded with emails from people who came to the show, so I can't ask for more than that.... meeting so many nice people with a true passion for this hobby, and interest in RWA products 

Thanks again, everyone!

Vinnie

[PaulHilgeman]

Hey Vinnie,

I heard the 4G a few weeks ago, and it was impressive.

Now that you have the caps external to the unit, it opens the door to all of the 'other' caps out there, have you tried other caps than the BG's?

-Paul

[Vinnie R.]

Hey Vinnie,

I heard the 4G a few weeks ago, and it was impressive.

Now that you have the caps external to the unit, it opens the door to all of the 'other' caps out there, have you tried other caps than the BG's?

-Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks!  Well in theory, other caps could be used but they need to be small enough to fit in the ALO iMod Dock cable connector.  For their size, the Black Gate NX-Hi-Qs are the best caps that I've tried for this application.

Best regards,

Vinnie

[PaulHilgeman]

Ahhhhhh.. they are going into a connector.  That makes sense now. 

[procreate]

But what about the DAC in the 4G being the best DAC in any iPod, old and new?

[Vinnie R.]

See: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2961144&postcount=194

Trust me... the Wolfson dac in the 5G is very good    I am getting the best results yet with this 5G iMod + ALO dock and it still has much more time to burn-in! 

[Loftprojection]

Vinnie, I love your signature on head-fi, you should use it here as well!

"Remember - Audiophile friends don't let audiophile friends listen to MP3s... Only use Lossless or WAV files!"

[gooberdude]

that's an old school saying in some circles.


Ever since '01 i've been saying  'Friends don't let friends MP3'

its no joke.   

just sucks that its taken so long to catch on, and still only the more techie folks seem to even care.

'Live & let live' probably overrules it!!!

[jrebman]

Vinnie,

Are you running rockbox on this?

Looks real interesting.  I'll be staying tuned.

-- Jikm

[Vinnie R.]

All,

Sorry for the slow response... I've been extremely busy.

The iMod website has been updated with the 5G iMod info:
http://www.redwineaudio.com/iMod.html

Are you running rockbox on this?

Looks real interesting.  I'll be staying tuned.

I'm no longer using Rockbox.. I'm just using the Apple Firmware and all WAV files.  I am using all WAV files on my modded Olive Music Server as well, so I can transfer files between these two units with ease. 

Rockbox is available for the 30GB 5th Gen iPod , and coming out soon for the 80GB version.

that's an old school saying in some circles.
Ever since '01 i've been saying  'Friends don't let friends MP3'
its no joke.   

It's catching on 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[m1brown]

Hi Vinnie -
Very cool about the new iMod.
After you've had a chance for the 5G to burn in, and new thoughts on the 5G vs the 4G?
It's a greater investment, especially with cable, but then you do get to keep stock headphone out.
Thank you,
Mike

[Vinnie R.]

Hi Vinnie -
Very cool about the new iMod.
After you've had a chance for the 5G to burn in, and new thoughts on the 5G vs the 4G?
It's a greater investment, especially with cable, but then you do get to keep stock headphone out.
Thank you,
Mike

Hi Mike,

I'll be posting about the 4G vs. 5G iMod soon...  what I will say upfront is that the 5G is superior sounding. 

I'll post more soon... right now I am extremely busy! 

Best regards,

Vinnie

[Vinnie R.]

All,

I just posted some impressions of the 5.5G iMod (vs 4G iMod) here:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showpost.php?p=2986004&postcount=332

Have a great weekend!

Vinnie

[saisunil]

I wish the 5G imod came with a simpler solution so that I have an option to choose my own mini cable. That way if there is a problem with the cable - the iMod would still work

[Vinnie R.]

I wish the 5G imod came with a simpler solution so that I have an option to choose my own mini cable. That way if there is a problem with the cable - the iMod would still work

Hi saisunil,

Ken at ALO is coming out with ALO iMod Docks that feature a female mini-jack (as well as the built-in signal coupling caps).  This way, you can plug your mini cable in 

Contact Ken for details.  I believe this will be ready very soon...

Best regards,

Vinnie