Ram Electronics I-Extreme iPod Cable Review

[admin]

iPods have become a symbol of status among the young and old alike. Who doesn’t have an iPod these days? Heck, I have one and I barely use it. Do you need a high end iPod cable? I suppose that depends on who you are. While competitor cables can be found for much less, they don't have the aesthetics and component quality of the Ram Electronics I-Extreme cable. Plus, who else can brag about the medical grade silver solder in their iPod cable?


Discuss "Ram Electronics I-Extreme iPod Cable Review" here. Read the article.

[scott911]

Thanks for your review!

A question comes to mind. This cable doesn't use the headphone jack of the iphone obviously. I presume that they chose to used the flat apple connector simply for the sake of a more secure conenction. Is that true, or is the signal out the bottom better than the RCA type headphone jack?

And now another question comes to mind! - The Iphone's files are digital. And the output to the cable must be analog. So I'm relying on this tiny apple product's D to A converter to do an important job. Is there a way to get the digital out of the iphone and right into the reciever via a digital input connector?

Thanks!

ps: regarding comment about airplane mode. My iphone version 1 was netorious for blanketing everything nearby with static. My 3G iphone on the otherhand doesn't seem to casue any problems at all. I do connect it to my system while leaving it in regular mode.

[tsteves]

Hi scott911
The docking connector has true line level outputs rather than a headphone output. This is designed to work with preamp/receiver line level inputs. The line outputs are at a constant level so you don't have to play with the volume control of the ipod. You can overload the input of some preamps and receivers if you turn up the headphone output too high. Aside from this, there are myriad opinions on the sound quality of the docking connectors output and the headphone connector output on the various ipod models, which we don't want to comment on.

The ipod Docking connector has no pins dedicated to digital audio. I believe almost all companies making the docks with digital output do an A/D conversion to supply that output.

Tom Steves
RAM Electronics

[scott911]

Thanks so, so much Tom....

I was really mistaken - seems that an i-pod dock with digital out would mean signal goes from digital (in ipod) to analog out ipod bottom - to digital again in dock - and finally converted to analog by reciever on the way to the speakers!

An RCA type analog cable connect seems to be the optimal way - at least when wanting the convienence of just running from the ipod...

[tsteves]

Yes, that is pretty much the reason we thought the cable to be a worthwhile product. Nearly all my ipod music and test signals are in AIFF lossless format. The ipod DAC is really pretty good, too, so you can get really nice sound quality in a small, portable package.
We know these cables are not cheap, but the money goes to American workers. They were pretty excited to get a nice review from a tough crowd. And if Tom Andry or anyone else wants a longer version, we can certainly do that.

[scott911]

I think I wil pick one of your cables up...

What would be nice for future would be an actual "dock" so the i-phone / ipod stands up. It is nice to see the album artwork. ~ and having the ability to charge the iphone/ipod would be nice too. thanks

Made is USA rocks!

Scott

[Daisies_2]

I have been using this cord for my iPod classic and the sound is terrific. I've been very pleased with it. However, I recently purchased an iPod Touch (2nd generation). Although this cable is supposed to be compatible with the iPod Touch, I think it's only compatible with the first generation. It seems that Apple is changing the connector dock (moving away from firewire). Any chance there will be a new version of this cord compatible with the iPod Touch 2G, iPhone etc.?

Thanks!

[tsteves]

It works fine with my new iPod touch 2nd Gen! It works with the 1st and 2nd gen iPhone. We have not tried the 3GS yet. Trying to convince the boss he needs one, or better yet *I* need one for "work".