Spotify via iPad to Naim olive pre and power amp

Spotify via iPad to Naim olive pre and power amp

Author
Discussion

WP999

Original Poster:

22 posts

90 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
Hi all,

I’m now using Spotify for most of my listening. As I’m a numpty, would anyone be able to tell me how I could use my iPad to play Spotify via a fairly old school Naim system please?

Look forward to hearing any thoughts.

Thanks,

Will

Funk

26,254 posts

208 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
iPad dock with audio out to phono, then phono to DIN?

This kind of thing was why I ditched my Naim gear in the end, it just wasn't able to do what I wanted it to.

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
WP999 said:
Hi all,

I’m now using Spotify for most of my listening. As I’m a numpty, would anyone be able to tell me how I could use my iPad to play Spotify via a fairly old school Naim system please?

Look forward to hearing any thoughts.

Thanks,

Will
Google chromecast audio into the 'line in'.

Cast Spotify from the ipad.

survivalist

5,614 posts

189 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
You could buy a Spotify Connect device that connects to the line in on your amp or DAC. Assuming you're a premium Spotify subscriber that is as I don't think it works on the free version.

Something like this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goodmans-Module-Adaptor-S...

It also allows you to stream music from any network shares you have and access internet radio. All the steaming is between the internet and this device, with your phone just being used as a controller.

If you've got dac it has toslink connectivity, or 3.5mm to RAC for analog

ETA - just seen its an old Naim which I assume uses DIN rather than RAC, so you'll need a cable as well. Plenty of people making them up on eBay.

shirt

22,508 posts

200 months

Monday 16th October 2017
quotequote all
Apple airport express plugged into a suitable source on the amp.

You set it up on the iPad and then it will appear on any iOS device on your wifi network as an audio output option.

No need for a dock and allows any guests to play music on your system if you give them the password and deem their music taste acceptable!

WP999

Original Poster:

22 posts

90 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the replies so far everyone.

Reading them tells me I know nothing and also that using the NAIM stuff isn't going to be straightforward. The NAIM kit isn't mine (yet) - family - and I was thinking about buying it because I like its sound. However, what I'd really like is something that I can use for Spotify (and yes, it's premium so hopefully that helps with options from the above reply) but that's a 'hi-fi' and stereo solution rather than something like the NAIM Muso or Sonos options.

iPad to DAC to stereo amp to stereo speakers?

I know it's a bit painful to explain this to someone with no knowledge whatsoever so happy to be pointed towards some kind of idiot's guide.

Thanks!

Will

WP999

Original Poster:

22 posts

90 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
Sorry shirt, I've just re-read your post. If I get an Airport Express then I can get straight from iPad to amp with no DAC?

Will

legzr1

3,843 posts

138 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
desolate said:
Google chromecast audio into the 'line in'.

Cast Spotify from the ipad.
This.

Simple, cheap and works great with Spotify connect.

All you'll need is a lead from chrome cast audio > Naim input - eBay will have loads starting from a couple of quid.

E.g
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-PIN-DIN-TO-3-5mm-JACK-...

Controlled with an iPad it looks and works great.
No streaming, no BT and no extra DAC required.
All at 320 with premium too.

survivalist

5,614 posts

189 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
The Naim amp will have an analog input, it's just that it uses DIN connectors which are pretty old hat these days. So you're likely to need a specific cable you can't get in your local Maplins. One of these for example:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Android-iPhone-MP3-3-5mm...

You then have to decide how to connect to it. You can:

1. Plug the iPad directly into the 3.5mm plug - downside is you're using a headphone output so potentially the lowest sound quality option as it will have some processing applied to it.

2. Plug the iPad into a dock with a 3.5mm output - effectively does the same as above, but provides a line level output that doesn't colour the sound. So any processing (Treble, Bass, Loudness etc) is applied by the Naim pre-amp and not the iPad. Also means it's powered/charging while it's in the dock.

The other options use a network device to connect to the Naim (again, using the same cable) but work in slightly different ways.

3. Airport Express - This uses apple airplay to stream (or cast) the audio from the iPad to the Airport Express. So in effect you are streaming the music from the internet (spotify in this example) to the iPad and then streaming the iPad audio to the Airport Express. Think they cost about £79

4. Spotify Connect Device - This uses a slightly different approach. The Device connects directly to the internet and you just use the spotify app on your iPad to control it. Again, the device connects to the Naim via the cable above. Cost of the device I linked to earlier is £15.

In the case options 3 and 4, these devices also have a digital (optical) output, so could be fed to an external/standalone DAC. In theory this will sound better as a standalone DAC will be better than the cheap DAC in the Airport Express/Spotify Connect.

In terms of price option 1 is the cheapest and Airport Express the most expensive (apple stuff resells for a good value though if you sell it later). No idea what the docks costs...

shirt

22,508 posts

200 months

Tuesday 17th October 2017
quotequote all
WP999 said:
Sorry shirt, I've just re-read your post. If I get an Airport Express then I can get straight from iPad to amp with no DAC?

Will
Yes, I do exactly this into an old Yamaha CA-800. I just open iTunes on my phone, select audio out to the airport and it's done.

Chrome cast audio would be cheaper if you had android devices, Apple won't work with it unfortunately. The Spotify option is also there but then you lack ability to play from iTunes if you so wished.

Tbh I wanted something easy and available locally to me. Apple unit is expensive for what it is but unobtrusive and simple as pie.

WP999

Original Poster:

22 posts

90 months

Saturday 21st October 2017
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Thanks guys, those last three posts are really, really helpful 👍🏻

w1bbles

986 posts

135 months

Saturday 21st October 2017
quotequote all
Google 'Amazon Basics Bluetooth receiver' for a very cheap device that does the same but is ambivalent about whose operating system it's talking to. We have one in our kitchen.

jmsgld

1,010 posts

175 months

Saturday 21st October 2017
quotequote all
I have an old Quantum Electronics amp that I use primarily for it's phono stage. through some old Ruark Preludes. I wanted to do similar without spending much.

Google Chromecast audio (£20 Currys), 3.5mm to DIN connector from ebay (£7) and a 2nd hand Project Ipod dock from ebay (£30). and made a cable using Van Damme and Neutrik Din to 2xRCA (£12).

Works a treat / sounds surprisingly good.

Edited by jmsgld on Tuesday 7th November 12:30

jmsgld

1,010 posts

175 months

Saturday 21st October 2017
quotequote all
We use Spotify to Chromecast audio with 2 android phones, an android tablet and an old ipad, they all work fine.

Bluetooth will offer poorer sound quality and limit how far the device can be from the receiver.

Edited by jmsgld on Saturday 21st October 12:40