IPOD cable, looking for some suggestions (LOD?)........
Anyone build a LOD cable?
I may be building one soon.
My sister wanted a cable like the purple one in the pic for her car.
She has a VERY nice game room in her house, with a decent stereo (All Paradigm, powered sub 10", speakers hanging on the walls, 4-Micros), Onkyo AVR, it sounds good (I built it:cheesygrin:).
I started thinking, if she kept the female 3.5mm part (with dual rca's) connected to her audio system in the game room, she could just grab the IPOD and the purple cable, take it in the house, and plug it directly into the female plug and jam in her game room if she wants.
I know these are widely available, but I doubt many are made with 26 ga. 6N OCC single crystal solid core copper wire, Furutech rca plugs, Cardas Quad solder.
Although it can be made with better plugs/components I am sure.
Not sure about a LOD cable.
Anyone ever make the IPOD plug directly to RCA plugs?
I have never seen one.
I have seen the IPOD plug to 3.5mm, but never to dual rca's.
I haven't really searched it, but if it is possible, I may go that route.
I understand it bypasses the internal DACS, and allows something like the ONKYO AVR to do the conversion instead.
Anyone?
After listening on My Atoll pre amp, I don't think I am loosing alot as far as a second connection goes.
Its pretty damn sweet!:cheesygrin:
Naturally I am going to finish it exactly like the purple cable in the pic.
I may be building one soon.
My sister wanted a cable like the purple one in the pic for her car.
She has a VERY nice game room in her house, with a decent stereo (All Paradigm, powered sub 10", speakers hanging on the walls, 4-Micros), Onkyo AVR, it sounds good (I built it:cheesygrin:).
I started thinking, if she kept the female 3.5mm part (with dual rca's) connected to her audio system in the game room, she could just grab the IPOD and the purple cable, take it in the house, and plug it directly into the female plug and jam in her game room if she wants.
I know these are widely available, but I doubt many are made with 26 ga. 6N OCC single crystal solid core copper wire, Furutech rca plugs, Cardas Quad solder.
Although it can be made with better plugs/components I am sure.
Not sure about a LOD cable.
Anyone ever make the IPOD plug directly to RCA plugs?
I have never seen one.
I have seen the IPOD plug to 3.5mm, but never to dual rca's.
I haven't really searched it, but if it is possible, I may go that route.
I understand it bypasses the internal DACS, and allows something like the ONKYO AVR to do the conversion instead.
Anyone?
After listening on My Atoll pre amp, I don't think I am loosing alot as far as a second connection goes.
Its pretty damn sweet!:cheesygrin:
Naturally I am going to finish it exactly like the purple cable in the pic.
Post edited by Unknown User on
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Like this but to dual rca plugs, anyone ever see one? Built one?:
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Anyone build a LOD cable?
I may be building one soon.
...
Not sure about a LOD cable.
Anyone ever make the IPOD plug directly to RCA plugs?
I have never seen one.
I have seen the IPOD plug to 3.5mm, but never to dual rca's.
I've never made one, but here is a picture of one from eBay...
I understand it bypasses the internal DACS, and allows something like the ONKYO AVR to do the conversion instead.
Anyone?[/B]
It doesn't bypass the internal DAC. It is just an analog line out, but the internal DAC is still in the chain. You need something like a Wadia dock or modified iPod/cable combination to bypass the internal DAC. -
I just use this little guy and a toslink cable, interested in other options though. Keep us posted! -
modified iPod/cable combination to bypass the internal DAC
Are you talking about the single resistor soldered on the pads?
B Run, you doing alright?:cheesygrin:
Been awhile my friend!Testing
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I've been great man, just laying low and staying out of trouble haha. I'm about to get a new power conditioner and will be hitting you up for another power cord in the near future :twisted:.
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I have come along way since your last one!:cheesygrin:
Stay well B Run, I appreciate the toslink suggestion, and I will be getting one to try out for sure!:biggrin:
Super cheap solution:cheesygrin:Testing
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I have come along way since your last one!:cheesygrin:
That's what I was afraid of, you say that every time and every time they sound better. -
That's what I was afraid of, you say that every time and every time they sound better.
Be very, very afraid!:cheesygrin:Testing
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Are you talking about the single resistor soldered on the pads?
No, I was talking about the iMod, but that uses the internal DAC. So I was mistaken about that. AFAIK there aren't any cable only solutions to add a digital output to an iPod. In fact the only solutions I'm aware of that will allow you to bypass the iPod's DAC are the iTransport docks, the NAD VISO 1, and the Peachtree iDAC, iDecco (discontinued), and iNova. I believe that the only ones that allow you to use your own DAC or an AVR's DAC are the Wadia iTransports.
The main difference between an interconnect made with a LOD (line-out dock) connector and the one you've already made, is that the LOD will allow you to connect to a line-out signal as opposed to the headphone out as shown in your first picture. I think using the line-out is more convenient as you don't have to mess with the volume on the ipod when it is connected that way. It is also believed that the line-out signal will sound better, and I've observed that, but as with anything, your mileage may vary, and the quality of the files on the iPod are going to make the most difference. -
I just use this little guy and a toslink cable, interested in other options though. Keep us posted!
How do you connect that to an iPod? I've never seen one with any type of optical connection. -
I use it from either my Macbook or my Apple Airport, you just plug it right in to the headphone jack and it bypasses the internal DACs. I honestly haven't tried it with my iPhone I just figured it was the same?
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I use it from either my Macbook or my Apple Airport, you just plug it right in to the headphone jack and it bypasses the internal DACs. I honestly haven't tried it with my iPhone I just figured it was the same?
The iPhone headphone jack isn't a combined Toslink/analog jack, like the jacks on the Airport Express & Macbooks, so it won't work that way.
Not to derail, but are you plugging the toslink into your AVR, or do you have an external DAC in an office system? I'm asking because I'm thinking about picking up a DAC for my Macbook, and am wondering what others are having success with.
Thanks!
George -
Oh it's nothing fancy, I literally set my laptop next to my receiver in my HT and plug in a toslink cable, or i'll just play it wirelessly and use a toslink from my airport to receiver. I'm not a big 2channel person I just enjoy hearing some tunes in my HT, it definitely could sound better.
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The iPhone headphone jack isn't a combined Toslink/analog jack, like the jacks on the Airport Express & Macbooks, so it won't work that way.
Not to derail, but are you plugging the toslink into your AVR, or do you have an external DAC in an office system? I'm asking because I'm thinking about picking up a DAC for my Macbook, and am wondering what others are having success with.
Thanks!
George
To add to the confusion, I thought B Run was talking about a mini Toslink adaptor.
I know my B&K Ref pre-amps take this type of plug.
Same size as a 3.5mm I believe, but digital (Optical).Testing
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I use a LOD cable with the connector end installed into a gutted iHome dock.I then buffer the line outs with a high quality opamp(LME49720).Certainly not as good as extracting the digital data ala the Wadia or Pure i20 etc. but does the trick for non critical listening when I want to stream Slacker or Tune In.
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To be honest I am looking for the "holy grail" of bypassing the internal DACS and letting her Onkyo do that task.
Guess I need to do ALOT of research.
Can't thank you guys enough for the responses, already has me doing some searching.
Many, many thanks!:cool:Testing
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If your on a budget http://www.pure.com/us/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61429&Category=To be honest I am looking for the "holy grail" of bypassing the internal DACS and letting her Onkyo do that task. -
gdpeck, I appreciate your help, you seem VERY knowledgeable on the subject.
Any idea as to (technically speaking), how to bypass the dac's?
It was my understanding it was a simple resistor soldered on the IPOD plug.
I need to look into it, but you may be underestimating my "laziness"!:cheesygrin:Testing
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At $99 for the dock and DAC, it makes me wonder if the DAC is any better than the one in the iPod. He might be better off using the digital out and the Onkyo's DAC. At least with this he has the ability to A/B the sound.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
It also has an SPDIF out to use your DAC of choice.It's the least expensive device I have found that will extract the digital data.At $99 for the dock and DAC, it makes me wonder if the DAC is any better than the one in the iPod. He might be better off using the digital out and the Onkyo's DAC. At least with this he has the ability to A/B the sound. -
gdpeck, I appreciate your help, you seem VERY knowledgeable on the subject.
Any idea as to (technically speaking), how to bypass the dac's?
It was my understanding it was a simple resistor soldered on the IPOD plug.
I need to look into it, but you may be underestimating my "laziness"!:cheesygrin:
Sadly, you've tapped all of my knowledge on the subject. I'm not aware of any DIY way to bypass the internal DAC. In fact I was coming back to this thread to suggest that a dock would be the best way to go for this application anyway. I think a dock is a super convenient solution for your sister. Most of them will charge the iPod too. So just drop the iPod in the dock when you get home, and enjoy the tunes through the game room system, then pick up your fully charged iPod on the way out. Even using analog, I think a dock is the right solution, and if she still wants a fancy purple cable, you can just make her a 3.5mm to RCA y-cable.
I wasn't aware of the other dock options that have come on the market. The Pure dock that FTGV suggested looks promising, and I also just found another one, the Cambridge Audio iD100. That one looks awesome to me. If I was in the market for a dock to bypass the DAC, that's the one I would get. It's $300 though. So, actually I would probably get the Pure. In fact I may get it.
@FTGV, do you have one of those Pure docks? Do you like it? -
No I have considered it but since the ipod isn't a primary source I'm just using the previosly mentioned basic dock/ DIY buffer for the analog line outs.I have read a few positive reviews and there is a long thread (IIRC) at Head fi regarding it.@FTGV, do you have one of those Pure docks? Do you like it? -
Sadly, you've tapped all of my knowledge on the subject. I'm not aware of any DIY way to bypass the internal DAC. In fact I was coming back to this thread to suggest that a dock would be the best way to go for this application anyway. I think a dock is a super convenient solution for your sister. Most of them will charge the iPod too. So just drop the iPod in the dock when you get home, and enjoy the tunes through the game room system, then pick up your fully charged iPod on the way out. Even using analog, I think a dock is the right solution, and if she still wants a fancy purple cable, you can just make her a 3.5mm to RCA y-cable.
I wasn't aware of the other dock options that have come on the market. The Pure dock that FTGV suggested looks promising, and I also just found another one, the Cambridge Audio iD100. That one looks awesome to me. If I was in the market for a dock to bypass the DAC, that's the one I would get. It's $300 though. So, actually I would probably get the Pure. In fact I may get it.
@FTGV, do you have one of those Pure docks? Do you like it?
I hear ya.
It is a matter of reading technical material on the subject, and not knowing what to believe.
Thats my problem.:eek:
Researching the subject on random forums, you never know what to believe.
You read one thread, and there is another thread saying that is not true.
Better info on this forum than most.
Someone with the "key" to unlocking the DAC's will chime in eventually.Testing
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key = risky internal surgery to bypass the on board dac or one of the number of docks already mentioned that extract the digital data that can then be sent to a good external DAC.Those are your only options.Someone with the "key" to unlocking the DAC's will chime in eventually. -
key = risky internal surgery to bypass the on board dac or one of the number of docks already mentioned that extract the digital data that can then be sent to a good external DAC.Those are your only options.
Not sure the "key" would be that complicated.
I am thinking, it takes resistance to trigger the bypassing of the DAC's, I could be wrong, but I think it needs resistance in the IPOD plug to tell the IPOD to bypass the dacs first, before ever sending out the signal.
As a host.
I could be wrong though.
And I have pretty much been wrong in the past if that is a "key" indicator!:cool:Testing
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There was a company doing mods on the iPod to extract the digital before the Wadia dock became available. You can probably find the details on the web by searching. Of course, once the digital docks became available the mods became irrelevant since they void the warrenty.Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
Ahhh if it were only that simple.Unfortunately Apple implemented safe guards to prevent easy access to the digital data stream making it impossible for DIY'ers to do so (externally atleast).If you apply and thus pay for a license then they will gladly give you the "key".I am thinking, it takes resistance to trigger the bypassing of the DAC's, I could be wrong, but I think it needs resistance in the IPOD plug to tell the IPOD to bypass the dacs first, before ever sending out the signal.
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Read twice and post once.:cheesygrin:Testing
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Hey Pep- Did you ever make one of these lod to rca cables for your sister?
I'm asking because I still need a cable to play my iphone in my car. I originally wanted a cable with rca to mini plug ends, but then I realized that it sounds better coming out of the lod vs the headphone out.
I'm checking around for prices right now and just sent an email to Blue Jean to see what they would charge to build one.
Let me know if you can build one. -
Just found this thread on HeadFi on tips on making an ipod to rca cableHere.
