Better sound from iPad using camera kit and USB DAC?

[bay24]

I have been reading that you can take the digital signal direct from the iPad using the USB conector from the camera kit. This means you can use a USB dac to improve sound quality (see link below).

http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/discuss/feedback/newsletter/2011/06/1/ipad-streams-high-resolution-audio-dac1

Does anyone have experience of doing this? If so can you use any USB dac like the fiio e10 or 17? Seems like a very good way to get high quality sound on the move?
If this works I think it would be that one extra feature that would let me justify getting one!!

 

[John Duncan]

Sounds plausible. No way I'm paying 25 quid to find out though...🙂

 

[bigboss]

No way I'm paying 25 quid to find out though...🙂

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005KG7BB0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003K1EYM6&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=14K2NVNSR0EFY7ATW1BF

 

[John Duncan]

No way I'm paying 25 quid to find out though...🙂

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B005KG7BB0/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=103612307&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B003K1EYM6&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=14K2NVNSR0EFY7ATW1BF

I'm not sure it's shiny enough...

 

[bigboss]

Oh it is shiny! Check the 2nd pic. It's not called "Shinntto" for nothing 🙂

 

[John Duncan]

It's not called "Shinntto" for nothing

It's called something similar in some of the reviews...

 

[bigboss]

 

[Xanderzdad]

Ooh, I bought one of those 2 weeks ago. I'm off to try my speakers now. I'll report back.

 

[Xanderzdad]

Well my £5.59 Shinnto adaptor works perfectly with my USB speakers. I am very happy. Thanks for the tip.

Also works fine with my cameras SD card.

 

[bay24]

Glad it's been of use! Still wondering if there are many portable DACs work in a similar way. There is a thread on headfi about it but it seems that often there s a need for an external power supply as the DACs drain too much power from the iPad and it is a bit inconsistent weather it works or not.

 

[Fisherking 145]

bay 24 is right. I've just tried my E7, and the iPad says it uses too much power, so it can't be used on the move I'm afraid.

I have excellent results using the camera kit into my CDQ's USB DAC using lossless files, I actually think it sounds better than my Squeezebox Touch using coax.

 

[bay24]

bay 24 is right. I've just tried my E7, and the iPad says it uses too much power, so it can't be used on the move I'm afraid.

I have excellent results using the camera kit into my CDQ's USB DAC using lossless files, I actually think it sounds better than my Squeezebox Touch using coax.

Thanks for confirming! I am not sure it is that simple though as I believe that it may work depending on which iOS you are using. I would quite like to know if the rpac works, seems like it could fit the bill!

 

[wilsmusic]

Hi there,

Rpac does not work with my ipad2 sadly. It might work in conjunction with a separate powered USB hub but I was looking for a portable option.

 

[wilsmusic]

Hi there,

Rpac does not work with my ipad2 sadly. It might work in conjunction with a separate powered USB hub but I was looking for a portable option.

 

[wilsmusic]

Hi there,

Rpac does not work with my ipad2 sadly. It might work in conjunction with a separate powered USB hub but I was looking for a portable option.

 

[bay24]

Hi there,

Rpac does not work with my ipad2 sadly. It might work in conjunction with a separate powered USB hub but I was looking for a portable option.

Thanks for the confirmation. That's a shame!

 

[rjlawson]

The Fiio E7 works fine, but you have to set USB CHG = OFF in the menu first. And it sounds great to me!

 

[Fisherking 145]

I'll give that a whirl then.

 

[bay24]

The Fiio E7 works fine, but you have to set USB CHG = OFF in the menu first. And it sounds great to me!

That's great, I wonder if the e10 or e17 work as well?