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Can I connect my iPhone to my Ayre integrated amp

Can I connect my iPhone to my Ayre integrated amplifier? Unfortunately, I cannot receive some of the FM stations I am interested in and am thinking about connecting the iPhone to my amplifier. Will the iPhone connect directly to the amplifier or do I need another device (if yes, what device)? What is the expected sound quality of doing this? If the sound quality is poor, most likely, I will not do it. Is there another device that would give me FM listening via the Internet that I should consider?
hgeifman

Showing 3 responses by reubent

reubent
7,078 posts
 
I love internet streaming radio! There is so much music out there, it's crazy! Of course you can listen to your iPhone via the methods other folks have mentioned in the thread. The Pure Digital I-20 sounds like a good piece, but I've never used it.

For me, I have a Mac Mini running iTunes connected via USB to a Headroom Audio Desktop amp/DAC. This is a pure Headphone rig for me, but it also has pre-outs that can connect into you integrated amp or direct into a power amp. It's probably more money that you want to spend, but it does provide for a very good headphone amp and DAC if you need those components.

I'm a music lover more so than an audiophile at this point in my life. The convenience and incredible diversity of music available via streaming internet radio outweighs the sonic shortcomings of lower sample rates for me.
reubent
7,078 posts
 
Hgeifman,

I don't have an iPhone, but I do have an iPod Touch and other iPods. I'm guessing the iPhone works the same way.

You will need a device that connects to the iPhone and gets the digital stream from the iPhone connector and converts it to a digital audio connection like coax or toslink/optical. Maybe that is what the previously mentioned Pure Digital I-20 can do for you. Wadia also makes the 170i and 171i that will do the same. You would take the output of these devices and connect to the Music Streamer Pro.

In the case of the I-20, it looks like it has a built-in DAC and that may be good enough for your needs. Try it and if it isn't good enough, add a quality external DAC.
reubent
7,078 posts
 
Hgeifman,

I just got an e-mail from NuForce today, introducing their new iDo. Might be the perfect fit for you. It allows a direct connection from an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch to the device. It takes the bit perfect digital signal from the iPhone. It then outputs via coax (digital) for connection to a DAC or A/V receiver, or it has it's own built-in DAC and sends analog out to your integrated amp, etc. It also has a built-in headphone amp. It's $249 direct from Nuforce or you can buy it at Amazon.com.

I own a NuForce Icon integrated amp which has some of the same functionality. It is a very nice, affordable product. Top notch value IMHO.

Here's a link to the NuForce iDo:

http://estore.nuforce.com/nuforce-icon-ido/
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