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Best DAC for iPhone - Volvo Car Play Connection?

Hello,

I'm attempting to improve the audio playback in my car.  I have a newer Volvo with  a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.  I'm streaming Tidal audio through my iPhone. The iPhone is connected to the Volvo Car Play via a standard lighting connector to USB cable.

The weak link in the system I believe is the iPhone DAC.  So, my question is if there is an external, portable DAC solution that would work in this situation or not?

Please let me know if you have any suggestions.  Thanks!

pacificm
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,502 posts
 

there are many in-line DAC's out there that may work. Audioquest makes a selection, there are quite a few others out there now. You can find many reviews online usually in the head phone sections as most use them for headphone listening. 

ghdprentice
6,382 posts
 

If I understand the situation the DAC being used is on the car side. The iPhone would be sending a digital stream and the B&W converts to analog and amplifies.

 

I think this is correct.

pacificm OP
14 posts
 

This is something I am not clear on.  

The audio is coming from the iPhone and going out of the audio out of the iPhone.  So, therefore, the audio coming out of the iPhone is already going through the DAC in the iPhone.  If that is true, is there any way to bypass the DAC in the iPhone with an external DAC or not?

Please let me know what you think.  Thanks!

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