[tombonneau]

So I just got an amp with a DAC that has a host of digital inputs. One is USB (B). I'm trying to figure out the best way to connect my iPod dock before I decide to possibly buy the Wadia iTransport.


I have an Apple Dock, which runs the ipod connector to a USB (A). If I buy a USB A-B converter piece and plug it into the DAC, will the DAC read & play the music from my iPhone?


I know that custom car stereo systems read audio via the USB connection, but is there something else going on in the electronics of that outside of the DAC?


Would be nice to hear a "No" before I go out and buy the adapter; instead I'll just get a decent mini-to-RCA plug. Thanks for any help. I've scoured Google this morning to no avail, and really shouldn't be wasting any more of my employers time.

 

[WCoast02]

Would be very surprised if that worked. The only two devices I've seen to send an all digital signal out of an ipod is the DLO Homedock HD and Wadia Digital iTransport, but both have received pretty poor reveiws.


Everything I've read in regards to this has suggested either a Sqeezebox or Apple TV to send all digital signal to the DAC in your receiver.


Another thing to think about before you buy a mini-RCA cord is that(I've heard) even an analog ipod dock that uses the LOD out on the ipod will usually have better sound than just a mini-RCA cord because it bypasses the ipod amp.


Someone please correct me if I'm wrong b/c obviously I'm not sure.

 

[WCoast02]

did you ever end up trying this?

 

[Ahab]



Quote:
Originally Posted by WCoast02 /forum/post/16841172


Would be very surprised if that worked. The only two devices I've seen to send an all digital signal out of an ipod is the DLO Homedock HD and Wadia Digital iTransport, but both have received pretty poor reveiws.

I've found the reviews for the Wadia 170i to be uniformly positive:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/other...5_6440crx.aspx

http://www.testseek.com/home_electro...b97ce4ea8.html

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gad...-594920/review

 

[Ahab]



Quote:
Originally Posted by tombonneau /forum/post/16835119


So I just got an amp with a DAC that has a host of digital inputs. One is USB (B). I'm trying to figure out the best way to connect my iPod dock before I decide to possibly buy the Wadia iTransport.


I have an Apple Dock, which runs the ipod connector to a USB (A). If I buy a USB A-B converter piece and plug it into the DAC, will the DAC read & play the music from my iPhone?


I know that custom car stereo systems read audio via the USB connection, but is there something else going on in the electronics of that outside of the DAC?


Would be nice to hear a "No" before I go out and buy the adapter; instead I'll just get a decent mini-to-RCA plug. Thanks for any help. I've scoured Google this morning to no avail, and really shouldn't be wasting any more of my employers time.

Even if you do succeed in hooking up to your Amp this way, you will still be using the internal DAC on the ipod. If you want a pure digital only signal going into your receiver, I believe you will need something like the Wadia.

 

[WCoast02]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ahab /forum/post/16970005


I've found the reviews for the Wadia 170i to be uniformly positive:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/other...5_6440crx.aspx

http://www.testseek.com/home_electro...b97ce4ea8.html

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/gad...-594920/review

Fair enough. I read some forum responses from people that were having problems with it. I'm still dying to get to use one to see how well it works.

 

[WCoast02]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ahab /forum/post/16970071


Even if you do succeed in hooking up to your Amp this way, you will still be using the internal DAC on the ipod. If you want a pure digital only signal going into your receiver, I believe you will need something like the Wadia.

Can also stream Apple Lossless files using Sonos, Squeezebox, Apple TV, or Roku Soundbridge. I stream WMA lossless to xbox 360 ->optical out->receiver. All of those options come out cheaper than iPod+iTransport.


Just more options to consider.

 

[Ahab]



Quote:
Originally Posted by WCoast02 /forum/post/16970130


Can also stream Apple Lossless files using Sonos, Squeezebox, Apple TV, or Roku Soundbridge. I stream WMA lossless to xbox 360 ->optical out->receiver. All of those options come out cheaper than iPod+iTransport.


Just more options to consider.

I certainly agree that those options might be better if you want to listen to high quality audio.


But if you want to listen to the music that is on your ipod, then it seems to me that Wadia would be the way to go. Leastways, I'm seriously considering it.


I have to admit to being somewhat biased against itunes. Certainly wouldn't want to lock myself into something like Apple TV. But I can see why others might find that to be the way to go.


Your setup sounds good to me.

 

[WCoast02]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ahab /forum/post/16970245



I have to admit to being somewhat biased against itunes.

Totally agree. I have an iPod and I use it often, but I get so frustrated with iTunes and have to curse Steve Jobs at least once a day. Everything is so proprietary it drives me crazy and you have to make sure every option to "automatically" do something is turned off in iTunes otherwise it takes control!


Oh how nice it would be if my ipod could sync with other programs and play more file types, but that will never happen. At least as long as Jobs is around.

 

[Ahab]



Quote:
Originally Posted by WCoast02 /forum/post/16970314


Totally agree. I have an iPod and I use it often, but I get so frustrated with iTunes and have to curse Steve Jobs at least once a day. Everything is so proprietary it drives me crazy and you have to make sure every option to "automatically" do something is turned off in iTunes otherwise it takes control!


Oh how nice it would be if my ipod could sync with other programs and play more file types, but that will never happen. At least as long as Jobs is around.

Yea, I much prefer the drag and drop method myself. Hate having to set up itunes to synch properly.