# iPod

*Entered: in vim on Xylophold on a plane* 
*Date: 20251103*

Back in September I watched a video by [Macho Nacho][1] on YouTube about a new 
[BoxyPixel kit for 5th-7th gen iPods][2]. Glass and metal and BoxyPixel quality
(I own a Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP with an all metal shell made by them,
these guys are good). This made me return to the iPod rabbithole. I did not 
own any of the iPods I had purchased between 2003 and 2007, but I had two
5.5 gen thin (30gb) ipods laying around from the last time I did this, years
ago now. One with the original spinning HD and one with an [iFlash card][3] and 
a 256gb SD card with [RockBox firmware][4] installed. So I went ahead and bought 
the kit (wouldn't be receiving it until December 2025). 

Since I wouldn't be receiving the kit for some time, and I have two iPods, I
decided to build myself an iPod in the mean time. So I bought a transparent 
faceplate, thick back, enhanced 64mb motherboard, 3800maH battery, transparent 
clickwheel, and an iFlash quad board all from [Elite Obsolete Electronics][3]. 
As well as a [leather case from Amazon][5] so I can just toss the iPod in my 
carry-on bag since I live on the road. I also picked up a pair of 
[Hidezs mp143 Salt planar driver IEM earbuds][6].

When you have a blank SDcard in an iFlash you need to do a restore in iTunes to
get the iPod in a bootable, usable state. Then you can install RockBox. Since 
RockBox lets you just copy song files to an arbitrary directory instead of 
having to sync with iTunes, I skipped doing that. However, I wanted to not need
to use a PC to add music to my iPod(s). I ended up finding an Android app 
called [Ultimate USB][7] that recognizes the iPod and can do this. Mission 
accomplished. For this I use a [USB C to 30pin cable from Amazon][8].

I have huge battery life with the large battery. I have listened for 12 hours 
at a whack on travel days and not dropped below 50%. The planar IEMs blow my
dynamic driver IEMe (KZzs10) away in clarity and response. And no, I have not 
read the /IEMG/ EQ guide, and no one else has either (IYKYK).

Anyways, I hope the links help someone out. That Android app in particular is a 
game changer. Sorta like YamiPod was back in the day.

Bonus: [A photo of my iPod and IEMs][9]

[1]: https://youtu.be/AMHUaxYshmQ?si=G0FkQTe7wJkQUzwx 
[2]: https://www.boxypixel.com/products/ipod-classic-5th-7th-gen-metal-housing-kit
[3]: https://eoe.works/
[4]: https://www.rockbox.org/
[5]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR8MM8S3
[6]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKFYZ39T
[7]: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mixapplications.ultimateusb
[8]: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPJBKWBW
[9]: gopher://1436.ninja/IPhlog/images/20251103_my_ipod.jpg