Russ Andrews GQ-24 UltraPlate

Just fitted the short cable with Mini-jack (the cheapest option) and its far better than my Van Den Hul interconnects into the back of my Rotel RA-04.  Music is presented further into the room on my Monitor Audio BR5's, with more separation between instruments...Dire Straits Brothers in Arms was a revelation (and its a 256 kb/s iTunes purchase).

For �30 delivered, its excellent value for money although still a pain to get up and change tracks/volume etc.

Certainly recommended and supported I think by Russ Andrews 'If you don't here a difference, send it back for a refund' warranty.

The GQ-24 bypasses the volume control in the ipod and goes straight to the ipod's DAC. You control the volume from the amp. It will work on any amp with either a minijack or phono inputs. The standard nickel phonos are the best compromise of price over sound. The output from the ipod means that I have my amp's volume at the same setting as it was when I used a CD player as a source. The only disadvantage is that the ipod does not charge when plugged in this way. The sound is excellent.

great little cable worth every penny, sound direct from source with full power, details, pace. even if the volume on my amp is at 1% and already loud because i cant control it from ipod, its still the full mp3 quality coming out! recomend it!

Joined on Dec 09, 2008 Posts 4 Offline  RUSS ANDREWS GQ-24

Based on some advice given here ( Thanks idc ) I decided to get myself the RA GQ-24 iPod interconnect. I'd made the decision a while back to use my iPod as my main source after extensive comparison with my old Denon system. To be honest, with decent quality files and taking into account the ease of use and flexibility of an iPod the minute difference isn't an issue. My other favourite website Head-fi fixed me up with some Grado RS-1 headphones after upgrading from Sr60 to Sr225, I bought a headphone amp, just needed a quality cable to finish the set up. Ordered online on Weds evening, got an email on Friday to say the cable had been despatched and received it Sat morning. First impressions after opening up the box was how light it is. I went for the most expensive option of ultraplate phonos connection at 20cm long. It just looks and feels like a professional, quality product and is very well put together. The iPod dock connection inserts with a satisfying click and feels secure, the phonos end is the quality bit and connects up solidly. As previously mentioned the dock connection bypasses the iPod volume control which basically means you can have the volume at maximum or zero and it makes no difference, the only volume you will get is from the amp it is connected to. It is difficult to make a comparison to other cables as by the time I've unplugged one and put the next one in I've forgotten the sound quality, but what I have noticed in 2 days is that the sound I'm getting is extremely clean, well defined and conveyed with authority. I listen to all types of music ( well maybe not kylie minogue ) and am very pleased with the results so far. I would recommend this product to anyone interested in getting the best cable to connect an iPod to an amp. If anyone from Russ Andrews reads here, thanks for the email communication and quick service.

Nick

Superb. Made an enormous difference and miles better than any dock I've heard.