Worth Upgrading amp with Ipod as a source?

[krish123]

thanks for the links, the first article suggests that listening directly from the ipod is better than using a dac as would be the case with the airport express. So it seems there is varying reviews putting me in a dilemma :/.

 

[Rethep]

I can imagine, as i also do doubt about all the expensive DAC's. I tried a DAC-magic against the Airport Express, and a 22 year old Meridian CD-player, which was the best at that time. I could hear no difference, in my setup. You should do a blind test to convince yourself!

 

[davedotco]

thanks for the links, the first article suggests that listening directly from the ipod is better than using a dac as would be the case with the airport express. So it seems there is varying reviews putting me in a dilemma :/.

Airplay is a transmission protocol that works in the digital domain. Therefore you need a dac in the AEX, which it has, or further down the line if you want more flexibility.

I use an AEX connected via an optical cable to a Fiio dac, then via phono leads to my active speakers. In this case the dac is primarily for convenience and flexibility, not a performance upgrade.

You are running mid quality MP3s into a budget playback system, any of these options will be fine.

 

[JoelSim]

I'm not sure you are going to get any improvement at all if your tunes are such a low bitrate.

I use Spotify Premium (320) streamed through my CDP's DAC and the difference between that and a CD is huge. The CD is way way better, I've done AB tests on quite a few tunes.

 

[davedotco]

I'm not sure you are going to get any improvement at all if your tunes are such a low bitrate. I use Spotify Premium (320) streamed through my CDP's DAC and the difference between that and a CD is huge. The CD is way way better, I've done AB tests on quite a few tunes.[/quote

The diference in quality between Spotify premium and red book is not huge, though I have heard differences many times and little or no differences many more.

The issue appears to be the way the signals are handled, if you go out of your way to compare like for like the differences in terms of the music are very small.

For example a flac, ripped to an iPad sounds virtually identical to the Ogg Vorbis file of the same version of the album downloaded and played offline from the iPad's memory, in this case the source and the data handling is exactly the same, only the files are different.

 

[krish123]

Right ok so the aex may not necessarily improve the sound ?. My other option is to get a dedicated dac. Say a musical fidelity m1 dac or a3 dac. Would this be better than buying the aex ? I'm slightly confused as to the purpose of the aex if it doesn't improve the sound quality.

 

[davedotco]

Right ok so the aex may not necessarily improve the sound ?. My other option is to get a dedicated dac. Say a musical fidelity m1 dac or a3 dac. Would this be better than buying the aex ? I'm slightly confused as to the purpose of the aex if it doesn't improve the sound quality.

The AEX is an interface, it allows you to play your music wirelessly so you can sit at your ease and play music from your iPod without wires.

As I expained above, the iPod (iPad in my case) sits with me and streams via Airplay so I can browse music, ajust playlists etc, all from the listening position.

The AEX contains a dac, a pretty decent one too, it is not the limiting factor here, that is your use of medium to low resolution MP3 files. Most people consider 320 kb/s to be the minimun for hi-fi standard (or 256 kb/s VBR) and until most of your files are to that standard or better they are the limiting factor.

spend your money on the best amp and speakers you can afford, that will make a real difference.

 

[BigH]

I'm not sure you are going to get any improvement at all if your tunes are such a low bitrate. I use Spotify Premium (320) streamed through my CDP's DAC and the difference between that and a CD is huge. The CD is way way better, I've done AB tests on quite a few tunes.

I have not found that, in fact some well recorded albums I can't tell the difference, yes som ealbums on Spotify don't sound so good.

 

[krish123]

thanks for all your help dave everything makes more sense now. Most of my files are above 192 with a large amount being 320 so shud be ok there.

with the aex can I use this in a different room if I want to? as we have a main setup in a converted garage , so wen I want to can I unplug the aex from bedroom and use in the garage ?

 

[Overdose]

Right ok so the aex may not necessarily improve the sound ?. My other option is to get a dedicated dac. Say a musical fidelity m1 dac or a3 dac. Would this be better than buying the aex ? I'm slightly confused as to the purpose of the aex if it doesn't improve the sound quality.

The AEX is a multi-purpose device. Apart from being the cheapest way to introduce Airplay to a system, it is also a print server and range extender for your network.

It works great straight out of the analogue output (3.5mm socket).

 

[krish123]

Just having a think, instead of the airport express would a dedicated DAC be a better option? say something like a musical fidelity m1 dac? will this improve the sound with the ipod connected through it?

 

[Overdose]

Just having a think, instead of the airport express would a dedicated DAC be a better option? say something like a musical fidelity m1 dac? will this improve the sound with the ipod connected through it?

Maybe it would improve, but don't expect wonders, a negligible difference is more likely. If you can justify the expense for whatever change you might get, then that's all that matters. In my experience DACs differ very little, others may disagree, but if it were my money, I'd go for the AEX first.

 

[krish123]

thanks for the reply overdose, I think the first logical step would be aex, as at least this would giv me wireless capability if nothing else. my simultaneous step is going to be a new amp, either pm7200 (KI if possible) or one of the new 7000 series e.g. 7001ki.

 

[Overdose]

thanks for the reply overdose, I think the first logical step would be aex, as at least this would giv me wireless capability if nothing else. my simultaneous step is going to be a new amp, either pm7200 (KI if possible) or one of the new 7000 series e.g. 7001ki.

There is a current thread runing about a recent amp upgrade from PM7000 to Roksan Kandy K2, so if you are to go down this route, have a read of that thread first and then if you are still set on an amp, get one on loan or buy from somewhere that will enable you to return it it if need be.

 

[luckylion100]

Re: if nothing else. my simultaneous step is going to be a new amp, either pm7200 (KI if possible) or one of the new 7000 series e.g. 7001ki.

Forgive me but neither of these amps are 'new', Wouldn't one of the current crop of entry level Marantz amps be the way to go. Judging from my own experiences recently I'm sure they'll do a sterling job of out putting some decent tunes. :rockout:

 

[Rethep]

Just having a think, instead of the airport express would a dedicated DAC be a better option? say something like a musical fidelity m1 dac? will this improve the sound with the ipod connected through it?

Maybe it would improve, but don't expect wonders, a negligible difference is more likely. If you can justify the expense for whatever change you might get, then that's all that matters. In my experience DACs differ very little, others may disagree, but if it were my money, I'd go for the AEX first.

I totally agree!

 

[Rethep]

Right ok so the aex may not necessarily improve the sound ?. My other option is to get a dedicated dac. Say a musical fidelity m1 dac or a3 dac. Would this be better than buying the aex ? I'm slightly confused as to the purpose of the aex if it doesn't improve the sound quality.

The AEX is a multi-purpose device. Apart from being the cheapest way to introduce Airplay to a system, it is also a print server and range extender for your network.

It works great straight out of the analogue output (3.5mm socket).

Again fully agreed! The AEX is a wonderful thing, easy to install, and sounds perfect!

 

[krish123]

lucky lion, im aware that these amps are not the newest however they are classic amps, and im not sure even the newer budget amps can beat say the pm7200, or maybe im wrong? i wonder how a pm6004 would compare to a pm7200. i dont have the luxury of auditioning amps so thats not an option, anyone here who has heard both?

 

[namefail]

lucky lion, im aware that these amps are not the newest however they are classic amps, and im not sure even the newer budget amps can beat say the pm7200, or maybe im wrong? i wonder how a pm6004 would compare to a pm7200. i dont have the luxury of auditioning amps so thats not an option, anyone here who has heard both?

Have you read this interesting chat re your amp. http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/marantz-pm7200-class-a-and-class-a-b-any-good

edited for speeling.

 

[krish123]

Thanks for that , it seems the pm7200 is a very highly regarded amp. If I can find one in champagne colour and in gd nick il go for it.