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Do I need a DAC for iPod?

I am not up with the latest HiFi standards. My last system was a McIntosh Integrated to Dynaudio speakers, using only a Rotel CD player. I sold the system years ago and I am now looking to buy a less expensive HiFi system. I will likely be buying B&W PM1's and a Roksan Caspian Integrated Amp.

My whole music library now is on our Ipod's and iPad's. What do I need to get music from them? Do I need a DAC? I dont know anything about them. They sound like those line conditioners, whatever they are....they just seem to "clean" the electrical feed to the amp (which I will not be planning on buying).

Thanks for your help
jeff
jeffatus
hotmailjbc
571 posts
 
as you may know a dac means digital to analogue convertor. there is one in every digital device that you can attach some rcas out to your amp. so your cd has one, your computer has one, ipad, tablet etc. the ipod has one but the issue for some people is the one inside the ipod isn't the best sounding. the optimum goal is to go bypass the ipod dac and get a dock that extracts the digital signal and sends it to your amp. then there are a couple of ways to go. buy a good quality dac for your dock or buy a dock that has a good dac in it. i use a pure 1-20 that costs 99 bucks and sounds as good as a good cd player. then there are other docks made by hrt, wadia, cambridge, onkyo and others that go into the hundreds of dollars and deliver even better sound quality. with your system a 99 dollar expense is well worth checking out imo. hope that helps
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
You can simply run the ipod's headphone out into one of the Caspian's line inputs. The cable like this from Belkin is all you need. If you want the best sound however you'll need to dig a little deeper and go the dac route.
facten
2,881 posts
 
I just started downloading a bunch of cds to an ipod classic using WVAC & error correction import settings in itunes - classic connected to a Wadia 171 idoc and then digital cable out of the Wadia to my DAC
glenfihi
525 posts
 
By using a ipod docking cable to RCA connectors, such as found at ramelectronics.net will work nicely. Has the supposed audio benefit over the headphone output.

Better IMO is using the ipod/ipad bluetooth output to the Xantech BT6 bluetooth receiver device. Others like the Logitech Wireless Speaker Adapter for Bluetooth Audio Devices work on the same line. The cool thing about them is you can control the ipod sitting in your easy chair wirelessly sending signal to device connected via rca or mini plug to your stereo. Down side it does not charge your ipod at the same time. Some wired docks will as your ipod sits in the cradle.

Costs range from about $25.00 for a good cable to well under $120.00 for the these simple but nice sounding bluetooth receivers. Of course better sound may be had as you move up the chain with dedicated DAC's. Audio Advisor.com has some interesting alternatives. Let your ears be the best judge.
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