The best sounding "ipod-like media player"?

JDUBS · « **Reply #20 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 10:21 am »

Quote from: Imperial on 13 Jun 2007, 10:11 am

Again, thanks everyone for a very good overview of the miniplayer choices.

My options, players:
Imod from Redwine, requires an extra amp?
Cowon JetAudio daps, choice of HD or card players
Trekstor Vibez

My options, in ear buds/ small headphones:
WESTONE UM2
Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 Pro /or the new 10
Shure E5, or similar model from shure

O.k Now all I have to do is look at the small "partnering" amps out there.
A carrying case of some sort and then I'm closer to a moving nirvana!

I know, I'm an audiophile, but I've only ever had a discman for years, for sound on the go.
It's no more functional...
I look at people sitting on the train or where ever listening to some song...
Ya know...
My cellphone has a webbrowser with full internett capacity, and an mp3player. But it is not sort of not
good sound from it... I'm getting the upgrade itch... Better sound, more capacity stronger
emotional impact please...

Imperial

Yep, will need an amp for the iMod. Have you looked on headfi.org? Lots of good info there.

I use a LaRocco PRII portable amp with my iMod and Shure e5c headphones....nice combo!

bcretty · « **Reply #21 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 10:34 am »

I recommend the XIN SuperMicro IV amp for use wih IEM's . Highly regarded as one of the best portable amps and the worlds smallest.
http://www.fixup.net/talk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1759 scroll down for the SuperMicro IV

Here is link to a headfi.org thread reviewing over 20 amps. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216903

Enjoy.
Brian

Imperial · « **Reply #22 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 11:26 am »

Quote from: bcretty on 13 Jun 2007, 10:34 am

I recommend the XIN SuperMicro IV amp for use wih IEM's . Highly regarded as one of the best portable amps and the worlds smallest.
http://www.fixup.net/talk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1759 scroll down for the SuperMicro IV

Here is link to a headfi.org thread reviewing over 20 amps. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216903

Enjoy.
Brian

Oh! I'm gonna read this really carefully!
I guess I'm gonna be spending more than planned...
But hey, quality does come at a price!

Imperial

ted_b · « **Reply #23 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 12:10 pm »

Quote from: bcretty on 13 Jun 2007, 10:34 am

I recommend the XIN SuperMicro IV amp for use wih IEM's . Highly regarded as one of the best portable amps and the worlds smallest.
http://www.fixup.net/talk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1759 scroll down for the SuperMicro IV

Here is link to a headfi.org thread reviewing over 20 amps. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216903

Enjoy.
Brian

I use the Xin Supermicro, and have for the past few years. It's great (and small; only a few percent larger than its AAA battery). If you go a little larger I'd look at Ray Samuels' compact designs too (Hornet, Tomahawk).

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #24 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 01:39 pm »

Quote from: Imperial on 13 Jun 2007, 11:26 am

Quote from: bcretty on 13 Jun 2007, 10:34 am
I recommend the XIN SuperMicro IV amp for use wih IEM's . Highly regarded as one of the best portable amps and the worlds smallest.
http://www.fixup.net/talk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1759 scroll down for the SuperMicro IV

Here is link to a headfi.org thread reviewing over 20 amps. http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=216903

Enjoy.
Brian

Oh! I'm gonna read this really carefully!
I guess I'm gonna be spending more than planned...
But hey, quality does come at a price!

Imperial

Hi Imperial,

With the new 5G/5.5G iMod, I only modify the analog line-out (which outputs from the dock connector on the bottom). As with any line-out, you will need an amplifier... this would be a headphone amp with built-in volume control, and you can also connect to your home audio preamp or integrated amp (you treat the iMod just like any source with a constant voltage output, such as a CD player). I used the iMod as a source in my 2-channel home audio rig (I don't really listen to headphones) and it is one of my favorite sources

However, with the 5G/5.5G iMod, I do NOT modify the built-in headphone output. This is left stock and can be used with headphones, as the iPod has a built-in headphone output stage with volume control. However, this won't come even close to as good sounding as the modded line-out + good headphone amp

If you have any other questions, there is a lot of info on the Red Wine Audio website (Products >> iMod) and please feel free to contact me if you still have questions that are not covered on the website.

Best regards,

Vinnie

Imperial · « **Reply #25 on:** 13 Jun 2007, 01:47 pm »

Quote from: Vinnie R. on 13 Jun 2007, 01:39 pm

Hi Imperial

With the 5G/5.5G iMod, I do NOT modify the built-in headphone output. This is left stock and can be used with headphones, as the iPod has a built-in headphone output stage with volume control. However, this won't come even close to as good sounding as the modded line-out + good headphone amp

If you have any other questions, there is a lot of info on the Red Wine Audio website (Products >> iMod) and please feel free to contact me if you still have questions that are not covered on the website.

Best regards,

Vinnie

So, going with the Imod-5 I get a machine that is a portable and a source at the same time...
Nice!
And then I have to get an amp, but that's no problem, I have an Earmax Pro already (for headphone use), only need a portable amp for music on the go, The Xin seems a good choice.
Thanx for the info Vinnie.
Edit: Yes, I see I have to order it by ALO as a package obviously as I don't have the Ipod.
Hm, I'll need two dock cables as I see it, one dock to twin rca and one dock to mini.
I'm giddy as a schoolboy!!!

Oh Oh, this is gonna go past a cool one I see, all in all...
So it's really as good as anything else as a source in a system? I'll say!
(please correct me if I'm thinking wrong here)
Getting the Imod means:
- 1 RWA Imod-5 from ALO, (with international charger?)
- 1 ALO dock to twin RCA cable
- 1 ALO dock to miniplug
- 1 Xin supermicro IV (connects to the imod via the mini-dock cable)
- 1 pair of Ultimate/Shure/Weston whatever earplugs..... will get later...

This is like 1500$ right?
If I'm going with this Imod I want it to perform at it's best in my setup!
I'd like some feedback on my thinking here before placing the order.
Have I covered the lot? Do I need more or less parts?
Feedback please, so I can get down to the purchase quickly.

Imperial

slwiser · « **Reply #26 on:** 16 Jun 2007, 04:20 pm »

Right now my iMod 5g with a Super Cotton Dock is pushing my Lavry DA10 hard...It is so close that I am I not sure that I can tell the difference but there are some tracks where the bass is still weighted toward the DA10. Now this is with about 50 - 60 hours on the iMod. It also may be that the iMod is still very new to me. I will, of course, continue to listen to my desktop system as well as my portable one to compare when I have the hours on the iMod.

Imperial:

I can't help but think you will be very pleased with the iMod as your source. I am using Apple Lossless files. I initially used the AAC at about 300 vbr but soon went to the Lossless format with the detail the iMod brought to the headphones.

robert1325 · « **Reply #27 on:** 16 Jun 2007, 05:46 pm »

Also if you're looking for some great cheap IEM's , the crossroads mylarthrees are nice.

Imperial · « **Reply #28 on:** 16 Jun 2007, 11:58 pm »

Pushing the Lavry "black" DA10 into the corner...
Hey, that is a feat not easily done!!!
I guess I will wait until I have heard the player before I decide on the amp an such.
Thinking about what cable to choose...
I have decided on the Imod, so let's just see how quick I can get things sorted out.

Imperial

slwiser · « **Reply #29 on:** 17 Jun 2007, 01:20 pm »

One more teaser showing my iMod 5g with my Super Cotton Dock and Ultrasone Edition 9:

BTW, I did a battery test last night using Apple Lossless files and it went 12 hours into the red without curious fingers before I called it to an end. I really feel that the iMod deserves the UE9s that I am using.

Imperial · « **Reply #30 on:** 19 Jun 2007, 11:29 am »

Say, the Ultrasone 9's. Could you tell me how they sound? Have you also heard Grado RS-1 or RS-2?
Is the Ultrasone better?

Imperial

slwiser · « **Reply #31 on:** 19 Jun 2007, 09:10 pm »

Quote from: Imperial on 19 Jun 2007, 11:29 am

Say, the Ultrasone 9's. Could you tell me how they sound? Have you also heard Grado RS-1 or RS-2?
Is the Ultrasone better?

Imperial

I have heard the RS-2 but not long enough to make any statements.

Around the net the UE9 at one place has been favorably compared with the Grado PS-1 at www.h-kingdom.org. Use Google translation and work out what is being said. There has been a bit of discussions about how the UE9 stacks up against other top headphones over there. Almost no one says they are better than the Sony R-10 which I have never heard.