iPod to a Benchmark Media DAC-1 D/A


Is there any way to modify an ipod to imput the apple lossless encoded digital output to a Benchmark Media DAC-1 D/A ??
dbk
The only company I'm aware of that does claim to accomplish that is MSB Technology. The cost? A cool $2k...may as well get a laptop and a USB DAC for that price. Perhaps the price will come down with time.

Marco
The only way to do it correctly is the bottom port connector and not the headphone jack..

Get the Benchmark Dac with USB and bypass the IPOD all together or get a Squeezebox and output to the Benchmark digitally.
The only way to do it correctly is the bottom port connector and not the headphone jack..

The bottom port connector will only bypass the ipods crappy op-amp for the headphones. It will not, however, provide a digital output (which is what the original question asked). It is, effectively, a line output (it's still utilizing the iPod's less than desirable DAC). It will definitely be an improvement over going out the headphone jack, but it is not a way to feed a digital signal to your DAC unless you enjoy silence (which some folks may actually prefer over the music an iPod provides).

I'd agree, with the next statement; why bother with the iPod? Use a laptop or a MacMini to a USB DAC. Hey, I already said that.

Marco
I agree with Jax2. The MSB I link, with the MSB modified iPod, does provide a digital output directly from the iPod. To the best of my knowledge, it is the only product in production that allows for this. In the interest of full disclosure, I am a MSB dealer, and made this decision in a large part due to the release of the iLink. The iPod as a transport is an extremely capable device. We have used the iLink system as a source to a number of capable DACs with very impressive results. The MSB modified iPod will still provide analog out from its headphone jack or when installed in a standard docking station.

Ron Lapporte
Ultimate Audio Video