2. headphones
  3. 163966-96

iPhone/iPad good as a source, or get a streamer?

This is probably a dumb question with a simple answer I’m just missing, but here goes. I’m currently using my iPhone and iPad wired with a Camera Adapter to my DAC via Qobuz in my headphone setup and it sounds good, but I’ve wondered if using a streamer (on the level of an Optical Rendu or Innuos Zen Mk3) would be better as it’d be plugged directly into the router. I’d assume the latter would be better given the wired connection vs. WiFi, but wondering if anyone has compared that to connecting an iPhone/iPad directly to a DAC? Location isn’t a huge deal since I’m in close proximity to my router anyway. Thanks for any thoughts/experience/suggestions.
soix
spatialking's avatar
spatialking
610 posts
 
I have always considered phones to be mid fi at best.   The fact is, most folks who use their phones to stream music are streaming mpg or AAC files, so high end is just not a question.
soix OP
8,646 posts
 
Yeah I’m not using the DAC in the phone so I suppose this is more a question of the best way to stream music and how much improvement using a streamer wired to my router would make. 
melvinjames
416 posts
 
iDevices have surprisingly good sound quality when bypassing the on-board DAC as you’re doing. That said, to my ears streaming via my microRendu > DAC sounds better than my iDevices into the same DAC using the CCK connection. It’s noticeable, but I wouldn’t say it’s a night and day difference either. Moving up to an opticalRendu or the Innuous .. I can’t offer you an opinion, unfortunately. No doubt someone will say there’s a massive difference. Massive. Veils will be lifted. Veil upon veil in fact. My advice is to take advantage of gear that comes with a trial period. Best of luck.
soix OP
8,646 posts
 
Thanks @melvinjames.  Yeah that’s about what I would’ve guessed, and it’s nice to have some confirmation.  Given what I’ve read here, unfortunately moving to the better streamers does seem to make a meaningful difference.  Or maybe I’ll just try a Raspberry Pi to test the waters first.  It’s a journey...
More to discover