Uncut G4 Cube Mod ( ongoing project)

[iCubeFan]

I bought a 6 pin firewire 400 female to 6 pin female header cable with the intention of connecting the power & ground pins to a 12 V Molex/Ground to power my iFire adapter

To my surprise my cable color pattern (3 white , 1 thicker black, green, red, blue)

doesn't follow the standard
http://pinouts.ru/Slots/ieee1394_pinout.shtml


and the product technical specs doesn't help either
http://www.cablematic.es/documentos/fw96tec.pdf


Does anyone know how can I identify which ones are the ground & power pins?

 

[kiwisincebirth]

Does anyone know how can I identify which ones are the ground & power pins?

If you own a multimeter you can measure quite easily which wires go to Pins 1 & 2 of the Firewire socket, then connect these to your molex socket. If you don't own one, you can by them cheaply on eBay, or build your own continuity checker with just a battery, led, and resistor.

http://electronicsclub.info/p_simpletester.htm

 

[iCubeFan]

If you own a multimeter you can measure quite easily which wires go to Pins 1 & 2 of the Firewire socket, then connect these to your molex socket. If you don't own one, you can by them cheaply on eBay, or build your own continuity checker with just a battery, led, and resistor.

http://electronicsclub.info/p_simpletester.htm

Thanks kiwi.
I think I'll end up buying a multimeter, it seems to be a must-have.

 

[ersterhernd]

Hi MacTester

Thanks for the recommendation!

I already own the iFire Adapter , I bought it for my Mac Mini years ago.So the only missing part for my setup was the usb audio device.

I went ahead and ordered the Sabre USB DAC's little brother http://www.ebay.com/itm/HiFimeDIY-Sa...item1e7a62f10c
it's a smaller and less powerful version of the one you're using in your Mac Audio Mod. but more than enough for my build

Cheers

Hi iCubeFan, have you used this audio setup yet? I'm assuming that it requires an amp that has the 2 apple pro speakers connected to it, correct?


Let me know, thx!


Ersterhernd

 

[iCubeFan]

Hi iCubeFan, have you used this audio setup yet? I'm assuming that it requires an amp that has the 2 apple pro speakers connected to it, correct?


Let me know, thx!


Ersterhernd

Hi Ersterhernd,

I'm still waiting for the USB Audio Card.
Yes, the setup requires an amp. You can build your own like mactester did

To drive your Apple speakers, I can recommend this setup:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-...-my-2nd-hackintosh-case-mod-9.html#post523516


I've used the following USB amp:
http://www.ebay.ch/itm/Easy-Use-Dua...Amplifiers&hash=item4ac29836e8#ht_4752wt_1413


MacTester

Ifixit has also a nice guide http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Using+Apple+Pro+Speakers+with+a+class-d+amplifier/11399/1


Or you can buy a Griffin iFire adapter like I did .The problem is that it's quite expensive and difficult to find nowadays.

when are you going to unveil your next build? I'm kind of anxious to know

 

[ersterhernd]

Thx for the response iCubeFan.

I'm thinking that a powered USB hub might be an easy solution. I've got a set of cube speakers already sitting here as well as a set of the apple pro speakers with the little proprietary plug. I'd really be interested to see how that DAC you've ordered works before I spend any money on this.

I'll be posting the new build likely later today. It's progressing well but is a fair bit away from completion yet. I think it will work out very well, but it's still early on the process.

Let me know ASAP about the outcome of your sound hardware.



Thanks!

 

[MacTester57]

I'd really be interested to see how that DAC you've ordered works before I spend any money on this.

With this amp you can drive your Pro Speakers directly from USB:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/powermac-g4-cube/98121-uncut-g4-cube-mod-ongoing-project-4.html#post618713

MacTester

 

[ersterhernd]

Thx Mactester. Do you have a current eBay link? The old one shows an ended listing.


Ersterhernd

 

[MacTester57]

You're welcome! Here is another link:
http://en.imendit.com/item/2w-2-w-a...usb-mini-usb-amplifier-board-12880777482.html

It seems that this amp is currently not available on ebay.

MacTester

 

[iCubeFan]

Let me know ASAP about the outcome of your sound hardware.

The DAC is somewhere between Germany and Spain . As soon as I receive it I"ll let you know how the setup performs