First DAC

[chris_bates1974]

I've been listening to much more music from iPhone/iPad recently, and can't get past the reduction in quality from CD/vinyl... I'm currently just using a QED 3.5mm to RCA cable into the Cyrus amp.... So, I am starting to think about a DAC.

My issue is that I don't seem to be able to find out what is the best option. I want to be able to plug the phone or iPad into the DAC. Perhaps later I will add a hard drive type device, but for now that's not what I want to do. I do not want to have to turn on a pc/laptop, as I don't use one at home for any other reason....

I'm after the best sound I can get, and when I get round to buying, will be looking at a budget of up to £500.

Suggestions welcome!

Thanks....

 

[Peterapperup]

I got the ifi micro idac2 for about a month now.

it is usb powered, so no good for portable use with an iphone, but with a USB device it is fine.

The Dac itself is very good, headphone amp is good but dont expect too much with a i.e. Sennheiser HD650 or HD800, but for normal phones it quite good and not too expensive.

 

[MajorFubar]

You can use USB DACs with iPads and iPhones providing you connect them via a powered USB hub. You'll also need the curiously-named Camera Connection Kit which effectively gives the iPhone a USB socket.

 

[mitchellhatpeg]

Hi Chris,

it sounds like you and I are in a similar position. I have done a lot of research on DACs that are compatible with iPads, and very few are, as they use the USB input as a power source. If it draws more than 0.5 watts, your ios device will reject it.

iFi's nano idsd claims to be ios compatible, as it has an on-board battery. You need the genuine Apple camera connection kit to provide a lightning to USB convertor for the nano to plug into, then you should be good to go. The IFi micro is further up the range, but you would need to check compatibilty on their web site, or call a dealer such as Analogue Seduction.

If you are a software expert, perhaps you can help me out with a post on this same section of the forums...Help! Ex geek, first time computer based music.

Best wishes, Simon

 

[MajorFubar]

Hi Chris,

it sounds like you and I are in a similar position. I have done a lot of research on DACs that are compatible with iPads, and very few are, as they use the USB input as a power source. If it draws more than 0.5 watts, your ios device will reject it.

Sometimes I wonder why I bother typing stuff.

 

[mitchellhatpeg]

Many powered USB hubs also do not work with ios devices and the camera connection kit...I know this from personal experience...they are not all the same. Far better to use an IOS compatable DAC in the first place and avoid adding something else into the signal path, particularly if it is a cheap one.

Sorry, I should have made this clearer the first time around.

 

[chebby]

I'm after the best sound I can get, and when I get round to buying, will be looking at a budget of up to £500.

Arcam irDAC. Plug the iPod/iPhone/iPad into it's own Apple compatible USB at the back ...

Plenty of other connectivity for your future plans.

You'll get £75 change from your £500 ...

http://www.richersounds.com/product/dacs/arcam/irdac/arca-ir-dac

 

[MajorFubar]

Many powered USB hubs also do not work with ios devices and the camera connection kit...I know this from personal experience...they are not all the same. Far better to use an IOS compatable DAC in the first place and avoid adding something else into the signal path, particularly if it is a cheap one.

Sorry, I should have made this clearer the first time around.

I guess we can all only go off our own experiences, I have never had a problem connecting a DAC via a powered hub. I've even connected devices such as bus-powered MIDI controllers to iPads this way (some are compatible out the box, most are not because they draw too much power), again without issue.

Also I wouldn't worry about a hub between the iDevice and the DAC affecting sound quality unless you're one of those people who believe in audiofool USB cables and fairy dust.

Most of the decent DACs are self-powered anyway.

 

[chebby]

Have I missed something when recommending a conventional, mains powered, stand-alone DAC with an Apple compatible USB input?

Does the OP want to use a hub between the iThing and the DAC? Does he want to use a 'camera kit'?

All I got was that he needs it to be iPhone/Pad etc. compatible and that he doesn't want to use a computer.

What's the problem?

 

[chris_bates1974]

Thanks everyone for the input.... It is an utterly bewildering array of devices and advice out there!!! The main difficulty being getting an answer to the question "Which DACS will take an input directly from my iPhone/iPad?".

Thanks very much for the suggestion of the Arcam... That is the only one I have found so far. You're absolutely correct that I am not looking for anything portable.

I'm struggling to believe though that in the days of i everything there aren't more options. It is never ideal to be choosing to spend quite a bit of cash on the only option available. Having no comparison is not great.

 

[hybridauth_Google_101104479082321169230]

Thanks everyone for the input.... It is an utterly bewildering array of devices and advice out there!!! The main difficulty being getting an answer to the question "Which DACS will take an input directly from my iPhone/iPad?".

Thanks very much for the suggestion of the Arcam... That is the only one I have found so far. You're absolutely correct that I am not looking for anything portable.

I'm struggling to believe though that in the days of i everything there aren't more options. It is never ideal to be choosing to spend quite a bit of cash on the only option available. Having no comparison is not great.

Please have a look at Chord mojo, at price 399 pound it's a killer.

 

[chris_bates1974]

....is essential and non-negotiable. As far as I can tell, the Mojo doesn't have a "proper" USB port to take the digital signal from the i devices I have. I did today find a Teac headphone amp that does... For £200. Anyone heard one? And does anyone have any ideas why pickings are so very slim considering the proliferation of i devices?

 

[expat_mike]

....is essential and non-negotiable. As far as I can tell, the Mojo doesn't have a "proper" USB port to take the digital signal from the i devices I have. I did today find a Teac headphone amp that does... For £200. Anyone heard one? And does anyone have any ideas why pickings are so very slim considering the proliferation of i devices?

have a look at this forum page

Scroll down until you reach the section "connecting mojo to iDevices" for a fewposts that may help you.

 

[MrReaper182]

Maybe you should think about connecting a streamer into your Cyrus amp. You can use your ipone/ipad to send the music stored on them to the streamer though bluetooth or your wifi connection. Its what I use to get the music stored on my ipad and phone to sound it's very best.

 

[chris_bates1974]

OK, looks like a step back may be required here... Hadn't considered a streamer, but of course that could be an option, it seems!

The Mojo is not for me. I will not fanny around with connection kits, extra cables, and extra cost when there are devices I can connect to with the cable I already have.

So, it looks like my options are a) the Arcam, b) the Teac headphone amp/dac, and c) a streamer.

Lots more research required in that case....

 

[chebby]

Chord Mojo reviewed on P66 of the new Hi-Fi News & Record Review (Jan 2016 issue).

 

[Green Bow]

Have you come across the Mojo £400.

 

[chris_bates1974]

People do seem to be very keen on the Mojo. Unless I am very much mistaken there is no ability to directly input from any of my iDevices.

My wish is to be able to simply plu in a cable I already own and enjoy my music. To be honest it seems that my options in that regard are extremely limited.....

It is sale time now though, who know what might happen!!!!

 

[Jonathan Cox]

have you considered an Apple Airport Express, I know you said you wanted a wired connection, however you could send your music wirelessly to the airport express which is connected to your amp. I connect mine with a headphone to RCA cable with very good results. No drop outs whatsoever, and no drop in sound quality compared to the very well regarded Marantz CD6004 Cd player, which I'm now selling.

 

[chris_bates1974]

Pulled the trigger on an Airport Express, and I'm very impressed after an initial listen. It no longer sounds like something is "missing" and music seems a little "tighter".

The big question now is to wonder how much difference to my pretty modest system a much more expensive DAC would make....

 

[Jonathan Cox]

I'm wondering about a good DAC also, but am unlikely to spend the required amount as am a bit sceptical TBH. I have tried through my main system with the Airport Express a £30 Fiio DAC, any difference was negligible or non audible to me.