DIY Line Out Cable - Works!

@peyotero wrote:

True lineout or not, by using the lineout signal from the Fuze you are bypassing the internal amp don’t you? That’s the whole purpose of making the cable isn’t it? I would get the Griffin Dock but what’s the point if it has an amp of it’s own?

 

Hurry up 14124all! You’ll make history! :stuck_out_tongue:

 

Message Edited by Peyotero on 12-24-2008 11:29 AM

The Griffin Dock does not have a built in amplifier and if you’ve been following the thread, the line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal… but don’t worry, it doesn’t matter, the sound quality is fantastic.

axon

“The Griffin Dock does not have a built in amplifier and if you’ve been following the thread, the line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal… but don’t worry, it doesn’t matter, the sound quality is fantastic.”

You keep repeating that, but the Sansa Rep keeps telling you otherwise - as well as the specs that have been shown for the sound chip.  I guess it’s up to the reader to decide which source is more credible.

Message Edited by PolloLoco on 12-25-2008 11:41 AM

@polloloco wrote:

“The Griffin Dock does not have a built in amplifier and if you’ve been following the thread, the line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal… but don’t worry, it doesn’t matter, the sound quality is fantastic.”

 

You keep repeating that, but the Sansa Rep keeps telling you otherwise - as well as the specs that have been shown for the sound chip.  I guess it’s up to the reader to decide which source is more credible.

Message Edited by PolloLoco on 12-25-2008 11:41 AM

PL, I believe you are misinformed.

I think all you have to do is plug into the output of the headphone jack at full volume and then the output of the Griffin dock to discover that they are the same volume.

One would assume that if there was amplification in the Griffin dock, the dock would be louder than the headphone out.

What sansafix said was that the line out of the Fuze is the same as 100% volume out of the headphone jack.

What I’m telling you is that the line out of the Griffin dock is the same volume as 100% volume out of the headphone jack.

If you have information to the contrary regarding the Griffin dock, please don’t keep it to youself,  quote it here so that we all might benefit from it.   :)

axon

Well I finished my line out cable -> car stereo project and it works great.  For the cable, I just rewired an existing Sandisk cable.  The cable provides 5 V for charging, and audio on the green and white USB data wires.  On the cable’s circuit board, I cut the traces between the pins and the green and white wires, and re-routed those wires to the audio pins (27 and 28).  Also tied pin 7 to pin 22 to enable the audio.  I run 5 V into the red wire and use the cable shield as its ground return path, while the black wire is the ground reference for the two audio wires.  I found that it is important to keep the audio ground wire separate from the charging ground (although they are tied together in the Fuze), because otherwise a lot of noise shows up in the audio.  This works because my car stereo has + and - inputs both isolated from ground, so the black wire is tied to the - inputs for both channels and the green and white wires go to the separate channels’ + inputs.

The cable of course no longer functions as a computer sync cable.

I built a little circuit board with a 5 V regulator and heat sink, and a USB Type A receptacle, which fits right under the stereo.

I like how the latest FW disables the volume control.  Now there’s no danger of messing up the headphone audio level accidentally.  Sansafix, if you’re listening, I’d like to recommed disabling the equalizer when line out is enabled.  Equalization should be the job of the system you’re driving with the Fuze.  I’d like one equalizer setting to compensate for headphone deficiencies, and a flat output for line out, without having to manually change the settings when switching back and forth between the two.

Waino

Meh,  just set the eq to normal before connecting the cable.

Waino, Nice job on the lineout cable and car specific to boot!!! It’s nice to see that someone else likes to tinker with this stuff!

Thanks, and thank YOU for getting this thread started!  The Fuze is a great little player, and I’m really surprised at how much technical support SanDisk provides for people like us.


@axon01 wrote:


@polloloco wrote:

“The Griffin Dock does not have a built in amplifier and if you’ve been following the thread, the line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal… but don’t worry, it doesn’t matter, the sound quality is fantastic.”

 

You keep repeating that, but the Sansa Rep keeps telling you otherwise - as well as the specs that have been shown for the sound chip.  I guess it’s up to the reader to decide which source is more credible.

Message Edited by PolloLoco on 12-25-2008 11:41 AM


PL, I believe you are misinformed.

 

I think all you have to do is plug into the output of the headphone jack at full volume and then the output of the Griffin dock to discover that they are the same volume.

 

One would assume that if there was amplification in the Griffin dock, the dock would be louder than the headphone out.

 

What sansafix said was that the line out of the Fuze is the same as 100% volume out of the headphone jack.

 

What I’m telling you is that the line out of the Griffin dock is the same volume as 100% volume out of the headphone jack.

 

If you have information to the contrary regarding the Griffin dock, please don’t keep it to youself,  quote it here so that we all might benefit from it.   :)

 

axon

I’m not disputing that the Griffin Dock has no built in amp - I’m counting on it.  I’m also not disputing the volume level.  I’m disputing your assertion in that statement that the “line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal” when the Sandisk rep has repeatedly asserted that it’s a higher quality signal and separate from the headphone output.  That’s what you don’t seem to understand - or outright deny.

Hence why a reader has to make the decision on which source is more credible.

Message Edited by PolloLoco on 01-14-2009 08:38 AM

Just wanna thanks 14124all for the brave experiment on the LOD and waino for recomfirming it with the car dock mod. I am just about to get myself a Fuze and I am definitely going to build myself a dock so I can used it with amp.

Just some questions to 14124all, do you know how Griffin dock activates the line-out function in the firmware (which I mean where does Griffin dock draw its 1V from)? Any chance that you’ll map out the Griffin dock circuit diagram? Thanks.

@polloloco wrote:

 


@axon01 wrote:


@polloloco wrote:

“The Griffin Dock does not have a built in amplifier and if you’ve been following the thread, the line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal… but don’t worry, it doesn’t matter, the sound quality is fantastic.”

 

You keep repeating that, but the Sansa Rep keeps telling you otherwise - as well as the specs that have been shown for the sound chip.  I guess it’s up to the reader to decide which source is more credible.

Message Edited by PolloLoco on 12-25-2008 11:41 AM


PL, I believe you are misinformed.

 

I think all you have to do is plug into the output of the headphone jack at full volume and then the output of the Griffin dock to discover that they are the same volume.

 

One would assume that if there was amplification in the Griffin dock, the dock would be louder than the headphone out.

 

What sansafix said was that the line out of the Fuze is the same as 100% volume out of the headphone jack.

 

What I’m telling you is that the line out of the Griffin dock is the same volume as 100% volume out of the headphone jack.

 

If you have information to the contrary regarding the Griffin dock, please don’t keep it to youself,  quote it here so that we all might benefit from it.   :)

 

axon

 

I’m not disputing that the Griffin Dock has no built in amp - I’m counting on it.  I’m also not disputing the volume level.  I’m disputing your assertion in that statement that the “line out signal is exactly the same as the headphone jack signal” when the Sandisk rep has repeatedly asserted that it’s a higher quality signal and separate from the headphone output.  That’s what you don’t seem to understand - or outright deny.

 

Hence why a reader has to make the decision on which source is more credible.

Message Edited by PolloLoco on 01-14-2009 08:38 AM

Look dude, Sansafix said that not me.  

If you want to see the exact quote, do a search for it.  It has been said more than once.

Second, hearing is believing. 

If you sit down and listen to the line out from the griffin dock with some good headphones and a headphone amp and then plug the same rig into the headphone out jack at full volume, this conversation will be over.

I have nothing further to say about this matter.

Best Regards

axon

Message Edited by axon01 on 01-14-2009 01:21 PM

Message Edited by axon01 on 01-14-2009 01:25 PM

The signal levels at full volume are identical, but the signal paths are indeed different. The performance of the line out is a little better than the headphone amp out.

@sansafix wrote:
The signal levels at full volume are identical, but the signal paths are indeed different. The performance of the line out is a little better than the headphone amp out.

Sansafix, everyone appreciates what you are doing here so I am not going to dispute what you are saying.

However, regarding the Griffin Dock, I stand by what I said.

axon

Axon,

I read your thread and I agree with your they are the same level, and yes there is no amp in the Griffin dock.

ClieOS, The Griffin dock taps the 5volt from the USB connector, through a 47k series resistor to pin 7 on the dock connector. Pin 7 must be pulled high (with approx. 1-3volt) to enable lineout signal. My original cable was made to be used with or without USB DC power, so I used pin 22 of the Fuze (which has approx. 3volt on it) jumpered to pin 7 in the cable for the enable signal.

I’m working on a full schematic for the Griffin Dock circuit (not much to it) and improved signal grounding mods for the original cable. Been pressed for time lately due to mucho OT involving a robotic automation cell we are building/debugging to produce an OEM auto part that goes into production in about 6 months.

Thanks for the info, 14124all. Really appreciate it.The reason I asked is becasue I am planing to experiment with resistor to lower the voltage (to closer match that of Griffin dock) on pin 22 since I got some resistors lying around. I am also plan to put in some decoupling caps if I can, but I’ll need to wait till I order an extra sync cable first. Thanks again.

Message Edited by ClieOS on 01-15-2009 05:26 PM

Any updates on these guys?

I wrote a guide on how to make the LOD. For those who are interested, you can read it at:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f6/sansa-fuzes-diylod-guide-56k-407873/

Message Edited by ClieOS on 04-24-2009 07:21 PM

ClieOS, Very Nice!!! AAA+!!! Very well written with excellent presentation. Wow, you are a pro! Good to see another sucessful build - with a fantastic how-to! And I’m diggin’ those mini-amps too!

Can be a ? for anyone.If the line out may be a bit better would there be a benefit to put rca jacks on the diy cord to hook up to a stereo or other device?

You could substitute the stereo mini plug with RCA jacks. Cable will be the same, just with different connectors.