2. amps-preamps
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iPad directly into Amp - okay idea? or bad idea?

I'm beginning my journey towards building my first audio system, and off to a great start with a pair of B&W CM9 S2 speakers. Next step - I need to power them with... something. I've found several vintage McIntosh amps available (like the MC 2105 & 2205). I was targeting around $1-1.5k more to get my system up and running, and these would consume that budget.

I'm considering pulling the trigger and getting one of them and plugging my iPad in to play music. Then I'll save up for a little bit until I can buy a proper tuner (I need a tuner next, right?). I get that this isn't ideal, but I'm wondering if it's bad for any reason? 

Additionally, I'm not sure about the nuances of how an iPad's headphone jack increases/decreases volume. I vaguely recall from long ago that plugging an iPhone into a tuner's component input sounded bad unless the iPhone volume was on max. Is this true? And if so, would that mean it would sound bad if it were anything less than full volume going into the amp? Which would almost certainly be too loud, correct?

And if I'm totally off track here, then how I can make music on my iPad play on my speakers for around the same price? 

Thanks in advance!
perplexy
facten
2,782 posts
 
Unfortunately the Wadia masi61 mentioned isn't made anymore, I use one between my IPOD Classic and my Aqua LaVoce S3 Dac. You might want to check out one of the DACs from High Resolution Technologies , link below, to see if it will meet your needs. I have one of their IStreamer Dacs that I use in my headphone system if I want to use the IPOD Classic in that system. It will definitely sound better than trying to go from your IPAD directly

http://www.highresolutiontechnologies.com/


gussers
1 posts
 
I'm using a Zorloo DAC for my iPhone but if you have the Apple camera adapter you can use something like a Dragonfly.
gemoody
132 posts
 
Try using an Apple Camera Adapter to get digital out of the iPad, then go into a DAC. For me the Schmitt Modi 3 ($99) does the trick, do not let its low cost or the money grabbers fool ya.  If you want a fun project, build a Raspberry Pi streamer/DAC combo using a HIfiBerry DAC+ Pro ($40), sounds nice.
soix
8,993 posts
 
Yeah you need a DAC right quick.  I use an Apple Lightening to USB 3 camera adapter (the one that allows you to charge your device while playing) from my iPad and iPhone into an Audioquest Dragonfly Red for my headphone rig and it took the sound out of my Apple devices to a much higher level.  Obviously lots of great USB DACs out there, but this is a relatively cheap and effective solution until funds allow you to move up the DAC scale. 
mezzrow
114 posts
 
Another vote for the camera adapter dac route. Dragonfly red is very good. If you don’t need mqa, can live with 24/96 and you want to save a few bucks, check out hifimediy. Their $69 usb dac is surprisingly good.
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