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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

Showing 5 responses by soix

soix OP
8,725 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. 
soix OP
8,725 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...
soix OP
8,725 posts
 
Thanks @calvinandhobbes.  Just curious what DAC you’re using and what kind of improvements you got with the Pro-ject?  I assume you were using the Apple Camera Adapter out of the iPhone?  Thanks again. 
soix OP
8,725 posts
 
Excellent feedback!  Thanks @calvinandhobbes.  I’ve been told by people knowledgeable in the field that a wired connection to the router is always preferable to WiFi, but there are also a lot of people here who say as long as you have a good WiFi signal and there are no dropouts that it’s just as good as wired.  The benefits you describe are very high on my “must have” list so I’ve decided to definitely give wired a try.  Thanks again for your very helpful thoughts. 
soix OP
8,725 posts
 
I just been messing around with this on my iPAD when I discovered that on Qobuz app to get anything better than CD quality you have to download the track local.
That’s not been my experience.  I get up to 24/96 out of the Lightening port when streaming, unless my AQ Dragonfly Red is lying to me about the resolution. 

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