First DAC

[chris_bates1974]

Originally posted in the DACs section - but not much traffic there, I see.....

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....

 

[Al ears]

Originally posted in the DACs section - but not much traffic there, I see.....

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....

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_664715932]

Try the arcam ir dac. I use it for all my apple device and its really good. Remote control is very handy too.

 

[davedotco]

In many ways the simple, obvious answer is an Airport Express, but this requires network connection and if that is not possible then things get a little more difficult.

If you are using a modern iThing in a wired setup then you need a dac with a USB Type A connector, this narrows the field somewhat.

USB Type B and either flavour of SPDIF is no use to you, though the iRDAC is fine as it has what you need but I can't help wincing somewhat at the £400 tag, obscene pricing in my view.

A really inexpensive option is the Neet Airstream, which emulates Airplay without the need for a network connection. Cheap as chips at around £30, analogue out for starters and the option to upgrade via Toslink out. If you are playing mostly MP3s it might well be good enough as it comes.

 

[chris_bates1974]

No issues with using a network. Is the sound quality going to be the same as wired? I just assumed wired would be better... No idea why!

thanks for the options, will have a look at them for sure..

 

[davedotco]

No issues with using a network. Is the sound quality going to be the same as wired? I just assumed wired would be better... No idea why!

thanks for the options, will have a look at them for sure..

The AEX dac is quite decent and it has the option of a mini-Toslink out should you get the urge to upgrade.

It is very simple to set up and use, the only issues I found was selecting a wi-fi channel well away from the others being used nearby, important to eliminate dropouts.

The AEX uses ALAC compression to send the music data, this should be transparent for any files up to CD quality.

The primary issue with sound quality will be the files on your iThing, the transfer should be transparent. Personally I am very 'old school' and prefer a wired connection, though I actually use Airplay most of the time.

A lot depends on what your source material is, high quality streaming such as Spotify premium or Apple Music should be indistinquisable from CD quality most of the time.

If it is not you have a set-up issue.

 

[slice]

Not sure if the above meets your spec requirements but I notice it's 1/2 price on amazon for £199

 

[davedotco]

Not sure if the above meets your spec requirements but I notice it's 1/2 price on amazon for £199

Does not have the 'right' iThing type USB input, so no use in this case.

Further thoughts on the AEX, for whatever reason Apple have chosen to give the AEX a 1 volt output, very practical but significantly less than the standard dac output of 2 volts.

Unless very carefully level matched, the AEX will sound less good than the competition, louder is always better and may be the reason that the quality of the AEX is underated.

 

[Vladimir]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

 

[SteveR750]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

http://www.audiologica.co.uk/oppo/oppo-ha2.html?gclid=CN-nop3iwcgCFUcUwwodBuYE_Q

I hope it's more reliable than the beyerdynamic a200p that I had. It stopped working after an android upgrade, and never worked on my tablet (both in the compatible device list).

 

[Al ears]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

Does what it says and looks very nice indeed. One of the best value-for-money buys I've ever made.

 

[Al ears]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

I hope it's more reliable than the beyerdynamic a200p that I had. It stopped working after an android upgrade, and never worked on my tablet (both in the compatible device list).

This is a DAC, an Android or any other upgrade will not stop it working.

 

[Vladimir]

Must be a nostalgia thing for me personally. It reminds me of my dad's Dunhill lighter and fancy flask sitting in his sport jacket.

 

[Al ears]

Must be a nostalgia thing for me personally. It reminds me of my dad's Dunhill lighter and fancy flask sitting in his sport jacket.

I can understand that. As a hip flask though it wouldn't hold enough for me.

 

[SteveR750]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

I hope it's more reliable than the beyerdynamic a200p that I had. It stopped working after an android upgrade, and never worked on my tablet (both in the compatible device list).

This is a DAC, an Android or any other upgrade will not stop it working.

So is the a200p. Otg digital out isn't the most reliable connection from my experience, both my Samsung tablet and z3 phone failed to recognise the dac attached, though the phone did initially. I've no way of verifying whether it was a device or dac issue... My dac xs works with the tablet (which must have sufficient voltage over its USB conection) which led me to the conclusion that the a200p was a load of pants.

 

[Al ears]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

I hope it's more reliable than the beyerdynamic a200p that I had. It stopped working after an android upgrade, and never worked on my tablet (both in the compatible device list).

This is a DAC, an Android or any other upgrade will not stop it working.

So is the a200p. Otg digital out isn't the most reliable connection from my experience, both my Samsung tablet and z3 phone failed to recognise the dac attached, though the phone did initially. I've no way of verifying whether it was a device or dac issue... My dac xs works with the tablet (which must have sufficient voltage over its USB conection) which led me to the conclusion that the a200p was a load of pants.

Surely it was the Android upgrade of the tablet or whatever that was at fault here not the DAC,

The DAC will do exactly what it is designed to do but if your source is problematic then there is not much you can do.

 

[SteveR750]

Might I strongly suggest an Oppo HA-2 headphone amp / DAC of the portable nature - pure brilliance!

That thing is absolutely gorgeous!

I hope it's more reliable than the beyerdynamic a200p that I had. It stopped working after an android upgrade, and never worked on my tablet (both in the compatible device list).

This is a DAC, an Android or any other upgrade will not stop it working.

So is the a200p. Otg digital out isn't the most reliable connection from my experience, both my Samsung tablet and z3 phone failed to recognise the dac attached, though the phone did initially. I've no way of verifying whether it was a device or dac issue... My dac xs works with the tablet (which must have sufficient voltage over its USB conection) which led me to the conclusion that the a200p was a load of pants.

Surely it was the Android upgrade of the tablet or whatever that was at fault here not the DAC,

The DAC will do exactly what it is designed to do but if your source is problematic then there is not much you can do.

No, and I lost patience tbh. Two different devices, same android release albeit under two different manufacturers UI. It's gone to a new home anyway a whole ago.

 

[SteveR750]

Had anyone heard the chord mojo portable battery DAC/amp? How does it compare to the Oppo?

 

[SonofSun]

There seems to be some positive opinions on the Oppo Ha-2. Recently I have been looking at open back headphones (under £300) to partner this dac/amplifier, specifically the Senheisser HD 600 (just going off reviews, although I pretty much know nothing about headphones).

What is as important to me as much as sound quality is comfort, I would love to hear recommendations from those who know about the Dac/amplifier/headphone market. What would be a good combination?

I am looking to use it with both my laptop to Audioengine A2 speakers and also with my Samsung galaxy tab s , the question I would like answered is, will it drive most headphones?

Thanks

 

[Al ears]

There seems to be some positive opinions on the Oppo Ha-2. Recently I have been looking at open back headphones (under £300) to partner this dac/amplifier, specifically the Senheisser HD 600 (just going off reviews, although I pretty much know nothing about headphones).

What is as important to me as much as sound quality is comfort, I would love to hear recommendations from those who know about the Dac/amplifier/headphone market. What would be a good combination?

I am looking to use it with both my laptop to Audioengine A2 speakers and also with my Samsung galaxy tab s , the question I would like answered is, will it drive most headphones?

Thanks

Simple answer is Yes. It was designed to drive Oppo's planar-magnetic headphones and others of that ilk which are not reknown for easy driving. It has switchable sensitivity for this purpose.

 

[SonofSun]

Thanks for taking the time to answer.

 

[ifor]

I've not heard it, but I have had a loan of it's big brother.

http://www.gspaudio.co.uk/bitzie-usb-dac-external-soundcard.htm

 

[SonofSun]

Thanks I'll have a look.

 

[brownz]

I just took delivery of a Raumfeld Connector 2 which I'm *hugely* impressed with. Whilst not being a *DAC* in the truest sense of the word, I would call it a DAC Plus with added functionality. It has TOSLINK out, Analogue Out, USB in, Wireless/Wired Network Connection and analogue in. It allows me to stream Spotify / TiDAL / Tune-In Radio etc thought their rather clean and simply designed app, being networked it also picks up my MP3 library stored on the NAS. For under £150 I think it's a fantastic bit of kit and can't praise it highly enough.

 

[migvvtvyvg]

If you are using a modern itching in Wired setup then you need Samsung Galaxy S6 edge cover with USB Type A connector required, narrow the field a bit. ourcase.co.uk