DAC Inputs

codycatalist

Doing more research into DACs so I might be able to get the sound quality of my IPad 3.5mm > Integrated a little better.

Now my question is this: When I see the DAC I only see optical inputs and usb/toslink inputs. Obviously in my current configuration I won't have the ability to connect from my IPad to the DAC due to lack of RCA inputs. Now I am ignorant when it comes to DACs and it is wholly possible that what I am stating wouldn't make a difference as it would be an analog input to a analog output, or it could be that I am looking at DACs that do not have the feature I was looking for.

Any light shed would be greatly appreciated.

tonyb

To optimize the dac, you want a digital connection going in, analog coming out. I'm pretty sure they make a digital cable that would go from the Ipad to the dac. I would lean towards using the digital coax going in over toslink too.

Get yourself some decent cables also.

codycatalist

Decent cables are a must if I end up getting a DAC (looking at peachtree but open to similarly priced suggestions), I have some nice Furez ICs that I will use from the analog output to my integrated. I will do some research to see if there is the pin connector to a form of digital input. Thanks @tonyb

erniejade

Is the music physically on your Ipad? Or are you doing something like spotify or tidal?

codycatalist

erniejade wrote: »

Is the music physically on your Ipad? Or are you doing something like spotify or tidal?

Spotify at the moment...I have it on extreme quality but we all know what that really means.

tonyb

I'm not up to snuff on connections for IPADS, if it has a USB port, use that.

codycatalist

tonyb wrote: »

I'm not up to snuff on connections for IPADS, if it has a USB port, use that.

It doesn't but I found a connector that would be placed on the dock input then it has an out for mini usb. I found a mini usb to usb B connector which would work perfectly (obviously I don't want to add more items in the chain but its apple so yeah...)

codycatalist

DSkip wrote: »

I don't think you are ever going to get a good connection going iPad direct to DAC. You would be better served with something like a squeezebox and using the iPad to control it. The SB seems to have a decent DAC, but you could always add a stand-alone DAC later on.

So a network media player from what I see. Hmm I found one for $149 which isn't bad, Skip if it was you and you had lets say $400 total would you just invest in a squeeze box or get that and a slightly cheaper stand alone dac?

codycatalist

DSkip wrote: »

I would get the Logitech and have some fun for a while. Let the other money sit until you decide where to go. Which rig is this for?

2 Channel. I am pretty set with my HT besides getting a new center (mine is very quiet...abnormally quiet)

codycatalist

Tell me about it, the Yamaha has been the weak point for some time but I really want to save up to get a nice Parasound halo. That is going to be a whileeeeeeeeeeeee.

You know for a low/mid fi yamaha integrated that came as a rack system it actually sounds quite nice and has some decent power.

codycatalist

DSkip wrote: »

codycatalist wrote: »

Tell me about it, the Yamaha has been the weak point for some time but I really want to save up to get a nice Parasound halo. That is going to be a whileeeeeeeeeeeee.

You know for a low/mid fi yamaha integrated that came as a rack system it actually sounds quite nice and has some decent power.

Quite the qualifiers you got there LOL.

Granted the only real HiFi system I have heard was an overly bright adcom system paired with SRS2s (still had the SL2000s), I need to find time to get out there more and listen around. Just have social anxiety about it to an extent, I figure people ask themselves what this 24 year old punk is doing listening to equipment I could never afford.

tonyb

DSkip wrote: »

I don't think you are ever going to get a good connection going iPad direct to DAC. You would be better served with something like a squeezebox and using the iPad to control it. The SB seems to have a decent DAC, but you could always add a stand-alone DAC later on.

I agree with Skip's assessment, that type of connection from the IPAD isn't going to sound all that great. A squeezebox, or a Sonos in between is the better bet.

Even more so, we now have music streamers with dacs, take a look at Tech or Sony, both have dacs that can stream with wifi from your Ipad. Many others too, but Tech and Sony seem to be the ones that sound pretty frickin' good. Look on the used markets, you can kill 2 birds with one stone.

Joey_V

I had a squeezebox and then used a ps audio digital link III as my dac

codycatalist

Joey_V wrote: »

I had a squeezebox and then used a ps audio digital link III as my dac

Thanks for the insight Joey! I'm thinking of getting a squeezebox then a new integrated, just have to find something in my price range and has the specs I'm looking for. Thankfully my Christmas bonus is coming up, hopefully I can sneak it past the fiancee or give it to one of the members here before she notices.

Joey_V

Getting a new integrated with a DAC is a good plan also.

erniejade

Hate to say this one again, chromecast audio uses the pad as a conduit. Once it's streaming, it's all from your wifi directly to the chromecast audio.

erniejade

I forgot optical ( toslink) out from the chromecast to the dac is how I'm using Spotify on mine. If it's an apple pad, you have to have a paid subscription. If it's a droid pad, for Spotify you don't.