iMod FAQ
iMod availability, lead-time, and return shipping FAQs
Q: Is Red Wine Audio still offering the iMod?
A: Yes – for as long as the iMod website is active (www.redwineaudio.com/iMod.html), we are still offering the iMod modification service to customers all over the world.
Q: What is the lead-time for the iMod modification service?
A: Once we receive both your iMod and payment, we typically will have it finished within 3 weeks. This does not include the time to ship back to you.
Q: How will you return ship my iMod?
A: If you live in the USA, we will ship via USPS Priority Mail (2 days). If you live outside of the USA, we will ship via USPS Express Mail.
Battery-related FAQs
Q: Can you replace the battery when you perform the iMod modification?
A: Yes – If you send us a new battery along with your iPod, we will install it for you free of charge when we perform the iMod.
Q: Does the iMod cause any change to the battery play-time and battery longevity?
A: No – the iMod does not affect battery play-time and battery longevity in any way compared to the stock iPod.
Q: Do you sell replacement batteries?
A: No – if you need a new battery installed, you will need to purchase one online and send it to us to install.
Q: What brand of battery do you recommend?
A: We recommend www.ipodjuice.com. We have no affiliation with this company, but have found their batteries to be very high quality. Another recommended company is www.ipodbatterydepot.com
Q: Are there any brands of battery that you do not recommend?
A: We have found batteries from the company “Newer Technologies” to not last long, so unfortunately we cannot recommend this brand.
Q: Can I order a replacement battery and have it shipped directly to Red Wine Audio for installation in my iMod?
A: Yes, but you must make sure that your name and address are included in the package (e.g. on the invoice) so we know the replacement battery belongs to you.
Buying 4G, 5G, or 5.5G iPods
Q: Where can I buy the iPods that you modify?
A: The 4G, 5G, and 5.5G iPods can be purchased online (search for them in google, ebay, etc.). ALO Audio also stocks fully modified 5G/5.5G iPods (www.aloaudio.com) that have been modified by Red Wine Audio. These sell very quickly due to high demand. Check with Ken at ALO Audio to see if he has any in stock: audiolineout@gmail.com
Q: If I purchase a 4G, 5G, or 5.5G iPod online, can I have it shipped directly to Red Wine Audio for the iMod service?
A: Yes – as long as your name and return address are included in the box so we know it belongs to you. If the seller only includes his/her name and address, we will not know who it belongs to, so please make sure you ask the seller to include your name and shipping address in the box if you have it shipped directly to us.
iMod packaging and shipment
Q: Where do I ship my iPod to for the iMod modification service?
A: Please ship to the address listed here: http://www.redwineaudio.com/contact.html
Q: How should I package my iPod when I ship it to Red Wine Audio?
A: We recommend you pack your iPod in bubble wrap and place it in a small cardboard box. Make sure that your iPod does not easily move around in the box. There is no need to “over pack” your iPod using extreme amounts of bubble wrap, multiple boxes, etc. Just use common sense…
Q: How will you know it is my iPod when I send it?
A: It is your responsibility to make sure that your name and return address are on the box and that you also print this information on a piece of paper and include it in the box. As long as you do this, we will know it is your iPod and will make sure it does not get mixed-up.
Q: How do you recommend I ship my iPod to Red Wine Audio?
A: You can ship it via any carrier you wish (e.g. UPS, FedEX, DHL, USPS, etc.). It is your responsibility to carefully package and insure your shipment against loss and damage.
iModding – cosmetics, hard drive, etc.
Q: Does the iMod modification cause any scratches to my iPod?
A: No – we are very careful with handling your iPod and it will be returned to you in the same condition that you sent it to us.
Q: Does the iMod process erase the music on my hard drive?
A: No – the iMod has nothing to do with the hard drive.
However, in the event that your iPod does not boot up, we will try connecting it to our computer try doing a “restore” in iTunes. This would erase your hard drive and you will need to reload your music.
Q: My iPod has a clear protective “skin” applied. Can you still mod it?
A: Yes – If the protective skin covers where the front panel and rear case meet, we will need to cut this so we can open your iPod.
Q: Can you install a protective skin on my iMod if I provide it?
A: No – we do not offer this service.
iMod versions FAQs
Q: Which iPod models to you modify?
A: We only modify the 4th generation, 5th generation, and 5.5 generation iPods.
Please do not ask us about modifying other iPods such as the 6th generation “iPod Classic,” iPhone, Nano, Mini, etc.
Q: Will you ever modify the 6th generation iPods (”iPod Classic”)
A: No – these use what we have found to be an inferior sounding dac and the sound cannot be improved upon. The sound quality of the 4G, 5G, and 5.5G iMods are far superior. If the newest iPods could be improved and were worth the effort to mod, we would have enjoyed offering an iMod for them and the business this would have created for us.
Q: What is the best sounding iMod?
A: We believe that the 5G and 5.5G iMods sound the best, but are closely followed in sound quality by the 4G iMod
Q: Is there any difference in sound quality between the 5G and the 5.5G iMod?
A: No – they sound identical.
Q: What is the difference between the 5G and 5.5G iPod?
A: The 5.5G was made available with a larger 80GB hard drive (the largest hard drive offered with the 5G iPod is 60GB), and the 5.5G iPods offer even brighter backlighting compared to the 5G (via a change in the firmware). Other than that, they are identical and they sound identical.
iPod digital output FAQs
Q: Can you mod the iPod to offer a digital output?
A: No – there is no S/PDIF digital output signal to tap inside any iPod.
An S/PDIF output signal can be obtained from the newer iPods, but requires using an external processor and firmware / licensing from Apple. An example of a product that offers this is the Wadia iTransport.
Q: Can I use my iMod with a Wadia iTransport?
A: Yes. The iMod modification only alters the analog output of the ipod from the dock, so if you are using the iTransport with your iMod to obtain a digital output, this is fine. Please note that you should NOT use the analog outputs of the Wadia with the iMod due to the dc offset voltage from the iMod (see below).
5G / 5.5G iMod Specific FAQs
Q: Why is it required that I use the ALO Audio iMod dock cable (or ALO Audio iMod dock unit such as the Vcap dock) with my 5G/5.5G iMod?
A: Unlike the 4G iMod, it is impossible to cleanly fit the upgraded Black Gate NX-Hi-Q signal capacitors inside of the 5G/5.5G iMod. These capacitors are required to block the dc offset voltage that is outputted from the dac chip that we wire directly to with the iMod. The ALO Audio iMOd dock cable fits these capacitors inside the dock plug of the cable. If you do not have these dc blocking capacitors in the signal path, your amplifier will be amplifying dc offset voltage, and you run the risk of damaging the dac in your iMod, your amplifier, and your headphones or speakers! Even if you are lucky and this does not damage your equipment, the music will not sound good because your headphone or speaker drivers will always be pushed in one direction due to the dc offset voltage.
Q: Does Red Wine Audio sell the ALO iMod dock cables for the 5G/5.5G iMods?
A: No – you must order this from ALO Audio: www.aloaudio.com
ALO offers a few different versions of this cable, each offering a different sound signature. Please contact ALO Audio (audiolineout@gmail.com) if you have questions about these cables or would like a custom iMod dock cable made.
Q: I live outside the USA. Can I order the ALO Audio iMod cable and ask ALO Audio to ship it to Red Wine Audio so my modded iPod and ALO cable can ship back to me together?
A: Yes, we will gladly do this for you to save you some money in shipping.
Q: Can I use my 5G/5.5G iMod with my docking station or sound dock from “brand X?”
A: No! – After the iMod, you must only use the ALO Audio iMod dock cable for the line output signal. Otherwise, you run the risk of damaging the dac inside your iPod, and/or the device you connect to.
Q: After the iMod service, can I still use the stock iPod USB cable to recharge the battery in my iMod, and to transfer music files?
A: Yes. The stock iPod USB cable is totally fine for transferring music from iTunes and charging the iPod battery. However, for connecting the iMod line-out signal (audio output), you MUST use an ALO Audio iMod dock cable to connect to your amplifier.
Q: Is the headphone output jack modified with the 5G/5.5G iMod?
A: No – unlike the 4G iMod, the headphone output jack remains stock with the 5G/5.5G iMod. The modded line-out signal exits from the dock connector, and you must use an ALO Audio iMod dock cable to connect to it.
4G iMod Specific FAQs
Q: Can I plug my headphones into the headphone jack of the 4G iMod?
A: No! The 1/8″ stereo headphone ouput jack of the 4G iMod is converted to the modded “line-output.” The volume control is no longer in the signal path and the output voltage to too high and the sound will be too loud and not controllable. The modded line-out is designed to drive high impedance loads (e.g., > 5k) such as headphone amplifiers and home audio preamplifiers (which have a volume control). Headphones are low impedance (e.g., typically < 300 ohm) and not designed to be driven by a line-out signal. You MUST connect your 4G iMod to a headphone amplifier (or home audio preamplifier).
Q: Can I use my 4G iMod with my docking station or sound dock from “brand X?”
A: No – after the 4G iMod, the line-out signal from the dock connector of your 4G iPod is disabled. The modded line-out signal it fed to the 1/8″ stereo output jack (formerly the headphone output).
Q: After the 4G iMod service, can I still use the stock iPod USB cable to recharge the battery in my iMod, and to transfer music files?
A: Yes. The stock iPod USB cable is totally fine for transferring music from iTunes and charging the iPod battery.
Q: What kind of audio cable do I need for my 4G iMod?
A: You need a cable that has a 1/8″ stereo mini-plug on one end of it. The other end can be a 1/8″ stereo mini-plug, or separate left/right RCA plugs (depending on what you are connecting it to).
iMod longevity and repair service FAQs
Q: How long can I expect my iMod to last?
A: The iMod modification does not change the longevity of your iPod in any way, so you can expect it to last just as long as a stock iPod.
Q: When my iMod needs servicing, does Red Wine Audio offer repair service?
A: Yes, we can fix your iMod. You will be responsible for purchasing any replacement part(s) needed. We can help you locate where to purchase replacement parts, and you can have them shipped directly to us. We will install the replacement parts free of charge to you.
Q: Can I send back my iMod to Apple?
A: No – once your iPod has been modded, it voids the warranty with Apple. Also, most of the time Apple replaces defective iPods – so if they give you a new iPod, it will no longer be the iMod that you paid for. Instead, contact Red Wine Audio if your iMod ever needs repair.
Q: I bought my iMod from ALO Audio. Does the Red Wine Audio repair service still apply?
A: Yes – absolutely!
iMod Burn-in FAQs
Q: How do you recommend I burn-in my iMod?
A: We recommend you connect your iMod to a load (e.g. your headphone amp) with the required audio cable and play music. Your amplifier does not need to be turned ON, but your iMod needs to be connected to such a load in order to allow electrical current to flow to allow for proper burn-in.
Q: How long does the burn-in process take?
A: The capacitors in your iMod (or ALO Audio iMod dock cable) typically take 100 – 200 hours of burn-in to sound their best. Many of our customers have reported further improvement in sound quality beyond 200 hours, but we have found that at least 90 – 95% of the burn-in occurs in the first 200 hours.
Music files, EQ, etc. with the iMod FAQs
Q: What format should my music files be on my iMod?
A: For audiophile listening, we highly recommend listening to music files ripped using lossless compression (e.g. Apple Lossless) or full CD quality (e.g. WAV, AIFF) with the iMod. The use of compressed music files (e.g. MP3 format) is not recommend if you are looking to obtain best results with your iMod.
Q: Do you recommend using the “EQ” feature?
A: No – This adds distortion to the sound. Please make sure the EQ setting in your iPod is set to “OFF.”