ALO Vcap iMod Docking Station
I just wanted to post some information in more detail about the ALO Vcap Docks for the 5G/5.5G iMod.
After many revisions we have finally settled on a final design that suites the needs of function and form. Here it is:
DETAILS
-- V-caps! For the very best audio quality possible, our Vcap Dock features reference-grade OIMP Vcaps (Teflon Capacitors | Oil Capacitors by V-Cap) by VHaudio. These are connected from the dock pins to the output jacks using the OIMP Vcap leads, so there is no added wiring or solder connections in the signal path! This is as pure as it gets, and all other wiring is done point-to-point (P2P) using our own special hook up wire.
-- High-quality Cardas RCA output jacks
-- 1/8” stereo mini-jack output
-- An LED indicator on the front panel to indicate when charging of the iPod battery is taking place (via a rear-mounted “on/off” pushbutton switch and included linear power supply). Switching the charger “off” with the pushbutton switch is designated for critical listening where any AC line noise via the power supply is removed from the iMod unit.
-- Solid wood construction
We start with a solid block of wood and hog out wood to sculpt the Vcap dock. NO GLUE /SCREWS/ or NAILS are used. In an attempt to keep costs down we have moved from making the interior cavity by hand to using a $20,000 CNC machine that we have contracted out. The outer scoop out is still completed by hand.
VHaudio also makes a Teflon Vcap cap that costs $300 (per cap!) that is even better than the oil impregnated ones we are using. If you want us to make one for you with these caps please add $500 to the listed price, yeah they are a little more expensive! wow.
PRICING INFO
I cannot begin to tell you all how difficult the manufacturing of these has been and continues to be. We have already made seven of these with all but two being sold / spoken for. We are in the process of making more but I cannot yet say when they will be finished because I have learned that things usually take much longer than I estimate. As these become available, I will put them up on the website.
The final price of the Vcap dock is still not determined but this is due to be determined out shortly. Wood choices are going to affect the pricing. The two you see here, Paduke and Myrtle Wood will be priced as basic along with Coco bolo, while Maple and Camphor burl will be a added cost.
I will let the reviews speak for themselves but both Vinnie and I agree that the sound coming out of the ipod (iMod) has reached it limits with the iMod and Vcap dock. I as a audiophile continue to me amazed by what I am hearing from mine. I want to thank Vinnie Rossi of RWA for all the technical assistance I received through out the development of this product.
Lastly, please be sure to check out the upcoming review of the iMod and Vcap dock at 6Moons (estimated to be featured at the end of this month)!
Thanks
Ken
I just wanted to post some information in more detail about the ALO Vcap Docks for the 5G/5.5G iMod.
After many revisions we have finally settled on a final design that suites the needs of function and form. Here it is:
DETAILS
-- V-caps! For the very best audio quality possible, our Vcap Dock features reference-grade OIMP Vcaps (Teflon Capacitors | Oil Capacitors by V-Cap) by VHaudio. These are connected from the dock pins to the output jacks using the OIMP Vcap leads, so there is no added wiring or solder connections in the signal path! This is as pure as it gets, and all other wiring is done point-to-point (P2P) using our own special hook up wire.
-- High-quality Cardas RCA output jacks
-- 1/8” stereo mini-jack output
-- An LED indicator on the front panel to indicate when charging of the iPod battery is taking place (via a rear-mounted “on/off” pushbutton switch and included linear power supply). Switching the charger “off” with the pushbutton switch is designated for critical listening where any AC line noise via the power supply is removed from the iMod unit.
-- Solid wood construction
We start with a solid block of wood and hog out wood to sculpt the Vcap dock. NO GLUE /SCREWS/ or NAILS are used. In an attempt to keep costs down we have moved from making the interior cavity by hand to using a $20,000 CNC machine that we have contracted out. The outer scoop out is still completed by hand.
VHaudio also makes a Teflon Vcap cap that costs $300 (per cap!) that is even better than the oil impregnated ones we are using. If you want us to make one for you with these caps please add $500 to the listed price, yeah they are a little more expensive! wow.
PRICING INFO
I cannot begin to tell you all how difficult the manufacturing of these has been and continues to be. We have already made seven of these with all but two being sold / spoken for. We are in the process of making more but I cannot yet say when they will be finished because I have learned that things usually take much longer than I estimate. As these become available, I will put them up on the website.
The final price of the Vcap dock is still not determined but this is due to be determined out shortly. Wood choices are going to affect the pricing. The two you see here, Paduke and Myrtle Wood will be priced as basic along with Coco bolo, while Maple and Camphor burl will be a added cost.
I will let the reviews speak for themselves but both Vinnie and I agree that the sound coming out of the ipod (iMod) has reached it limits with the iMod and Vcap dock. I as a audiophile continue to me amazed by what I am hearing from mine. I want to thank Vinnie Rossi of RWA for all the technical assistance I received through out the development of this product.
Lastly, please be sure to check out the upcoming review of the iMod and Vcap dock at 6Moons (estimated to be featured at the end of this month)!
Thanks
Ken
