DAC for iPad to amp/sub/satellites?
Discussion
I have an odd set up in the kitchen (long story).
Old Creek amp to REL sub to Bose cube satellites (wall mounted)
As almost all of our music is digital now it makes sense to use iPad or MacBook as source, however, the sound is awful, as one might expect.
Is there much to be gained by using a DAC between the iPad and amp.......?
I'm thinking Cambridge Audio DAC Magic or others you might recommend.......?
Old Creek amp to REL sub to Bose cube satellites (wall mounted)
As almost all of our music is digital now it makes sense to use iPad or MacBook as source, however, the sound is awful, as one might expect.
Is there much to be gained by using a DAC between the iPad and amp.......?
I'm thinking Cambridge Audio DAC Magic or others you might recommend.......?
I believe that if you are looking to use an external DAC, you will also need a digital dock for your iPad to basically get the digital output to feed the DAC.
If you were going with a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic DAC, CA also do a dock - the iD100
I have no personal experience of this kit, but would expect it to significantly improve the sound in comparison to the analogue output from your iPad. Seems to get some reasonable reviews.
HTH.
If you were going with a Cambridge Audio DAC Magic DAC, CA also do a dock - the iD100
I have no personal experience of this kit, but would expect it to significantly improve the sound in comparison to the analogue output from your iPad. Seems to get some reasonable reviews.
HTH.
I don't see why you would expect the sound as-is to be "awful". Assuming you've got EQ turned off on the iPad and the cable you're using to connect it to the amp (I'm assuming 3.5mm stereo jack to 2x phono) isn't faulty, it should be acceptable. I'd start by working out what the problem is. Are you overdriving the amp input with the volume on the iPad maxed?
I've used a CA DacMagic with my laptop, not my ipad, and it worked very well. With the matching dock it should sound very good.
However I must agree with Toxicnerve. An ipad plugged directly into an amp doesn't sound terrible. It isn't great, but it isn't awful, so the problem probably lies with the speakers. Sell the REL sub and buy a set of bookshelf speakers instead and brackets. Problem solved for free
However I must agree with Toxicnerve. An ipad plugged directly into an amp doesn't sound terrible. It isn't great, but it isn't awful, so the problem probably lies with the speakers. Sell the REL sub and buy a set of bookshelf speakers instead and brackets. Problem solved for free
I wasn't suggesting the REL is the problem, the ones I've experienced have been very good. However, you say your system sounds awful nevertheless.
More focus on the mids from a more traditional set of speakers instead of the cubes may improve things more than a DAC would. They may also not need the support in the bass from the REL, so potentially that could be sold to fund better speakers / more music / moved elsewhere.
Have you tried another source, maybe a CD player? If that sounds better then a DAC probably would solve the issue.
I've been really pleased with my DacMagic
More focus on the mids from a more traditional set of speakers instead of the cubes may improve things more than a DAC would. They may also not need the support in the bass from the REL, so potentially that could be sold to fund better speakers / more music / moved elsewhere.
Have you tried another source, maybe a CD player? If that sounds better then a DAC probably would solve the issue.
I've been really pleased with my DacMagic
Edited by Roadster25 on Saturday 9th February 08:34
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