New digital source reqd...but what...

[MallyMad]

I find myself using my ipad loads and would like to upgrade it as a source. I've noticed the nuforce thing in the ads and that looks like what I'm after but there's also fiio (don't know which one) and there's also HRT micro streamer or head streamer.

I would really like the headphone socket,it's gotta be portable and its gotta fit lightning connector as well as being easy to use.

Theres a couple of wammers local to me as well who have offered to help so that's also handy. :^

 

[Purite Audio]

There is an app that enables you to play lossless FLAC files on the IPad, that would improve the sound quality, or do you mean an external dac?

Keith.

 

[MallyMad]

Don't know. I'm wanting to hook up my ipad to my amp wirelessly. I've looked at the Bluetooth option but these others seem better. Outboard dac combined headphone amp seems the way forward. Is it ipad to dac to amp? How then do you control the ipad? I don't want something where the ipad has to sit next to the amp - I want to be able to use it while the musics on. I've an old iPod as well hat could be used as well.

 

[Purite Audio]

Some manufacturers have adopted the Apple AirPlay system, generally users tend to use the IPad as a remote, using a streamer or computer directly connected to the amps.

Keith.

 

[MallyMad]

Do you know of a decent streamer? Do you still use these with dacs?

 

[68rednose]

Don't know. I'm wanting to hook up my ipad to my amp wirelessly. I've looked at the Bluetooth option but these others seem better. Outboard dac combined headphone amp seems the way forward. Is it ipad to dac to amp? How then do you control the ipad? I don't want something where the ipad has to sit next to the amp - I want to be able to use it while the musics on. I've an old iPod as well hat could be used as well.

It seems like you need an Apple Airport Express.

(I'm not an Apple fan, own only an unused iPod).

AFAIK, a friend of mine has the Airport Express. This unit can provide a digital (optical) output.

He has the Airport Express close to his seperate DAC (with optical input) that is connected to his system (amp, speakers).

He plays music that is stored on his Macbook (but it could be your iPad as well), while being able to walk around with it if he wants to.

So in conclusion:

iPad [wireless] -> Airport Express [cable] -> DAC [cable] -> Amp [cable] -> Speakers

You should check at an apple store or hifi retailer.

Hope this helps, good luck !

 

[Purite Audio]

Mally Hi, it depends on your amps, if the amps are conventional and acceptonly an analogue input, then you will need 'something' sited close to them , it could be a Squeezebox Touch, which has an analogue output, and can be controlled from your IPad, you could use your IPad , you would need a mini jack to RCA cable.

You could just use your laptop as source, there are tons of options.

Keith.

 

[MallyMad]

Yeah that does sound like what I'm after. I'm just wondering whether its a worthwhile upgrade over a decent cable straight from the headphone socket which sounds alright as it is. It's just that cable.....

 

[stax92]

Chris, if you had a PC or an older ipad then I'd have had a look at an Arcam rDAC KW, Richer Sounds seem to be selling them off at the moment. I nearly got one but saw a modded Caiman on here and went for that instead. The reviews are good. The lightning connector is a right pain in the arse - why do they do that? If there's a way round that to make the Arcam rWand fit then this could work.

 

[mnky]

Hi Chris

I have an Airport Express .... I stream my Macbook Pro audio from itunes or spotify etc to it. The analog out mini jack on the Airport Express has an optical digital out built in to it which I connect to optical in on my amp. I am very happy with the setup its very reliable. Not sure about the Airplay function on an ipad ...does it allow airplay of just itunes or will it allow audio output to be sent via Airplay.

I have to use a utility ...."Airfoil" on my macbook which allows all audio sources to be sent via airplay.

This is a later version than mine but covers quality etc.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/465-new-apple-airport-express-bit-perfect-still-limited/

 

[MallyMad]

This is getting a right pain. Running music over the wifi is going to be a nuisance as we want to use the Ethernet cable to hook up a ps3 and stream films through that. I'm now thinking a bluetooth device such as the August m230b at £11. If that works awrite I could upgrade to the mass fidelity at £179 but I don't get the price difference!

Any opinions?

 

[RobHolt]

Hi ChrisI have an Airport Express .... I stream my Macbook Pro audio from itunes or spotify etc to it. The analog out mini jack on the Airport Express has an optical digital out built in to it which I connect to optical in on my amp. I am very happy with the setup its very reliable. Not sure about the Airplay function on an ipad ...does it allow airplay of just itunes or will it allow audio output to be sent via Airplay.

I have to use a utility ...."Airfoil" on my macbook which allows all audio sources to be sent via airplay.

This is a later version than mine but covers quality etc.

http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/465-new-apple-airport-express-bit-perfect-still-limited/

You can stream anything direct to the AEX from the iPad and iPhone.

Makes a very nice, simple digital source.

Brilliant with Spotify and a reliable internet connection

 

[mnky]

Chris

Before I discovered the Airport I used to use Blutooth .... speaking from my own experience I found it annoying ... unreliable ... prone to intermittant cutting out. I used it with a set of AE Bluetooth speakers.

The Airport just joins you current WI-FI set up and you stream directly to it I had no issues setting up.

Ger

 

[MallyMad]

Thanks fellas. Simple is defo the way forward for me!

Just had a look ont bay and it seems the 2nd gen go for about £60. Seems perfect!

Thanks again.