Actually, I don’t do iPod. But just for fun, why not?
This is actually an “old” audio tweak, by using this “stuff” below. You can buy it at local bookstore.
This removable adhesive could be place above your components, like capacitor, resistor, or even DAC and Crystal (Clock). The effect? Taste yourself, as I did on my iPod below.
Actually, for serious listener, I prefer solution from Marigo with its VTS Tuning Dot (the result is amazing, I’ve been there). This little dot from Marigo could cost you around US$ 3 (minimum, depends on the size), but the result is very significant (the layer and separation is better and the music is more “musical”). But since this tweak is just for fun, so it’s done with a cheap Tack-It from Faber-Castell.
Try yourself.
Added 19 January 2009:
After few hours testing last night, I have to admit this mod tame the high frequency quite a lot. Well, the vocal becomes warmer, but slightly too warm IMO. Something must be done wrong 😉
I decide to open the iPod again. Remove all the Tack-It adhesive and start checking the iPod PCB layout again. Hmm… after few minutes checking the layout, I decide to give a new try.
The red circles on the photo below are my old tweak which produced too warm sound for my taste. The green circles are the new tweak that I want to try. FYI, the right green is the WM8975 CODEC, while the left green (2) should be the clock.
I check the other side of the PCB. Well, I find another clock. Why don’t we try this also?
Finally, I put extra kapton-tape to prevent the adhesive to touch the brown ribbon cable (simply for the cosmetic issue). So it’s done! Let’s put all them back.
Another simple test continued with “Falling in Love with Love” (Audiophile Reference II CD), “What a Different a Day Makes” (Ingram Washington), and “Tears in Heaven” (Ayako Hosokawa). Now the high and the details show up. The dynamic of the music also there, but without any sign of ear fatigue. Good then. For now, I will stick with this mod, before trying another one (if I have enough time). I also try my favorite track “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (Salena Jones). Overall, this cheap mod could make me listen to this iPod a little bit longer.
But I do really need those Marigo VTS Tuning Dot! I still miss some musicality here… or it has been the limitation of the iPod?
Added 19 July 2009:
I receive a ping back from Head-Fi. Some considered as placebo, but one has tried a heard the different. My suggestion, just try it before you speak. With expensive and high quality equipment owned by most Head-Fi members, I don’t think it takes a genius to hear the different.
hady
January 20, 2009 15:42ini prinsip cara kerjanya gimana ya
Jimmy Auw
January 20, 2009 21:25Hahaha… ini bagi sebagian orang cuman “lucu2an” aja koq Pak… 😉
Secara prinsip cuman mengurangi vibrasi dan melakukan damping aja. Tapi kalo pake Marigo VTS yang bentuknya cuman kaya stiker kecil itu, wuih efeknya dashyat!
Thanks.
Roy
January 27, 2009 21:56Pak Jim, masak cuman lucu-lucuan?
Dijelasin dikit dong tentang teori dibelakang ini, secara sederhana juga ga apa, maklum tidak paham soal audio elektronika. Damping itu apaan pak? Vibrasi (apakah getaran dari fisik Ipodnya?) itu pengaruhnya di suara bagian apanya?
Thanks before ya Pak
Jimmy Auw
January 28, 2009 00:34Hi,
Trik seperti ini lebih banyak dianggap “klenik” audio. Kadang memang tidak bisa dipercaya dan memang tidak ada penjelasan yang bisa diterima akal sehat (sejauh ini yang sering dibahas adalah mengurangi vibrasi=getaran, walaupun secara ilmiah, getaran ini tidak akan berakibat pada suara karena sifat IC yang merupakan benda solid state).
Mengenai pengaruhnya di suara, ya silakan aja dicoba sendiri. Susah kalo dijelasin hehehe.
Thanks.
Andrie
February 17, 2009 11:56Pak Jim, ipod yang dipake tipe apa? Saya pakenya 4th gen 40 GB juga bisa kan pake “mod” ini…
Jimmy Auw
February 17, 2009 18:01Halo,
Bisa aja koq Pak. Cuman efek dan posisinya saya kurang tahu ya.
Thanks.
amen
March 15, 2009 14:41Suhu Auw, beli kapton tape dimana ya 😀
Jimmy Auw
March 15, 2009 22:08Di Taiwan Pak, sekalian ama SolderWick dan beberapa mainan2 lucu lainnya hehehe….
Emang di Glodok gak ada ya?
Thanks.
wawan
October 27, 2009 20:13Pak Jimmy, Marigo VTS dotnya bisa beli di mana ya ?
Jimmy Auw
October 29, 2009 21:27Dulu sih di Consonance Audio ada (sekarang di M2 Square).
Thanks.
Ham
March 13, 2010 20:54Pak Jimmy, ada gak guidence nya kira2 bagian mana yang bisa kita tweak dengan menempelkan tweakernya. Thanks
Jimmy Auw
March 13, 2010 22:55Hi,
Silakan dicoba Pak. Biasanya bagian clock, capacitor, dan D/A cukup ngaruh.
Thanks.
Ham
March 14, 2010 12:14Thanks, again…
Muliadi
December 30, 2011 02:41Pak Jim, saya baru coba tips tack it ini buat CDP. It’s really make an improvement. Thanks.
Auw Jimmy
December 30, 2011 21:34Selamat Pak! 🙂