Apple Music consumer and generally a mac person so i’ve experimented with various options. TLDR, quality directly correlated to the quality of the DAC i was using.
Apple Music app on Apple TV connected to marantz NR1509, pre-outs to 2.1 system (Rega integrated and magnepan 1.6s). OK for some casual use, but sound seemed colored. Tried the marantz option to bypass any EQ applied (can’t recall the name, Pure maybe). Eh.
Airplay to Bluesound Node2i directly connected RCA to the integrated. Quality improvement, poor user experience. Had to reboot the Node2i quite often to connect via Airplay, even on the latest version. I’d see the Node2i as a airplay option, but wouldn’t connect unless I rebooted it. Could have been some weird wifi issue (run a Google mesh), but i gave up after awhile as it was frustrating (didn’t really have any other airplay issues in the house). Might revisit this one.
post Apple Music Lossless/Hi Res upgrade…
iPad Pro with usb-c port (circa 2019 maybe) with an Audioquest Dragonfly Cobalt, direct connect via Dragontail usb-c with a 3.5mm to RCA cable into the integrated amp. Also tried the Dragonfly with a macbook pro directly to the integrated. Can also use the dragonfly with the apple lightning USB camera dongle (I wasn’t a huge fan of this with the smaller screen and stacked dongles, just awkward). Soundwise, definitely an improvement over airplay through ATV, and felt like it was better than airplay to the Node2i before i boxed it up (although i didn’t do A/B listening on that option)… i actually liked the ipad better from a user perspective as using the Remote app to control the macbook just wasn’t for me, do too much browsing/listening outside of my catalog, and the donglegate using an iphone was a little off putting.
”What if i had a real DAC (compared to something meant for mobile use with headphones)?” Although my impression was positive, the dragonfly tested terrible at audioscience review (cobalt in particular). Made me wonder. Wondered for about a week and ordered an RME ADI-2 DAC (was going to add one later this year anyway and well… we’ve all been there). USB from ipad to DAC, RCA into integrated. Turned it on with defaults figuring i’d read the manual with something on in the background. Well, maybe a page of the manual was read in the next hour or 2. Sounded that good. Clarity, definition, had grip on the mids and bass that wasn’t there before, basically haven’t had the TV on in the last week. I don’t have sensitive ears, kind of feels like end state as I don’t think i’d get much chasing that last couple percent improvement that might be there.
Side comment, that RME ADI-2 DAC… really impressed. Literally only complaint would be, wish the remote was backlit. That’s it. EQ and balance adjustments on the remote if you want to tweak something, loudness button. Makes me want to go buy a good set of IEMs to check out the headphone amp. That said, the Dragonfly USB DAC showed me enough that if you were looking for a budget Apple Music option to integrate high res into a system vs airplay option, the mobile USB DAC option is worth looking at, might just want to look at other options as the Dragonfly Cobalt doesn’t seem to be a value choice.
Feels like there will be some Apple audio announcements this fall. Lossless AAC or high res Airplay 3. We’ll see
