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Portable DAC compatible w/ iPhone or iPod

Hello, I'm a spinning enthusiast who loves to jam to some motivational music at my local LA Fitness spin classes. The instructors do the best they can outputting their playlists from the phone mini-jack split into a stereo RCA interconnect that connects into the gym's reasonably powerful amp & speakers.
Often the sound quality is just awful. No punch to the Metallica or Michael Jackson or whatever music they choose.
It would sound so much more forceful but less fatiguing at the same time if the instructor's phone or iPod could be docked in a way that the data will upload raw to the portable DAC.
I've been looking for a versatile DAC that can be easy to use & hookup to their system quickly. I've seen the one company in California that makes triangular portable DAC's, but I don't recall their name right now. Basically I'm looking to mount up my phone & still get good sound
masi61

Showing 2 responses by elevick

elevick
2,636 posts
 
Just remember that if the instructors are using low bit mp3 files nothing will help.
You should do a test and put a cd on your phone in 2 different quality levels and listen for yourself (mp3, mp4 and maybe flac). If you can't hear the difference, then it's the sound system, which is probably Bose and can't do better.
Also, what about the people using Androids? An OTG cable may be in order.
I'm a spin instructor and gave up on quality a long time ago.
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Masi,
I've taught in about 10 different studios. The best system was one that I installed for them (just Audiosource gear with all weather infinity's and a sub). The one studio in Gold's had an ipod dock that never seemed to work. There's only so much you can get out of a commercial Bose system that is strictly about loud midrange sound with overemphasized bass. I've even tried using a laptop to no avail. Also, you should do more homework. Just take in a recording that is noticeably in stereo (Beatles?). The commercial systems in Golds and LA tend to be wired in mono even if they have 2/4 speakers. Makes a ton of sense since the people are sitting all over the room and it sounds awful if you only hear 1/2 of the track...

You may get lucky and a manager will let you leave a pair of rca's hanging out the back of the system for when you have class and hope that no one steals them. We seem to lose cables weekly. For a power strip, take in a $10 Belkin.

Even if things sound a little better, you are at the mercy of the studio if you leave the unit there. Things can't get much better since most spin studios are big boxes made of either drywall or concrete block or glass and resonate like mad. Finally, what may sound crappy with 6 people in class might sound way better with 25 people in the room to act as diffusers. Now you need to take a bunch of friends with you.
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