I sometimes use an iPad 2 with the Apple Camera Connection kit ($30) to directly output 24/96 AIFF and FLAC files to a small DAC and headphones when traveling. (Yes, it's actually 24-bit, and not the 16-bit feed that you get through the mic-out connection.)
While tinkering around at home, I connected the iPad to my den system (Bel Canto DAC3 via BC USB Link), and noted that SQ is excellent. I also streamed wi-fi signal from JRiver and PC server via JRemote, with very good results.
More to the point, when I shut down the server feed, I notice that the iPad continues to play on for as much as 30 seconds in some cases. One could speculate that the iPad might be using an unusually large buffer capacity to stabilize signal and this might also in part explain its quality of playback.
While tinkering around at home, I connected the iPad to my den system (Bel Canto DAC3 via BC USB Link), and noted that SQ is excellent. I also streamed wi-fi signal from JRiver and PC server via JRemote, with very good results.
More to the point, when I shut down the server feed, I notice that the iPad continues to play on for as much as 30 seconds in some cases. One could speculate that the iPad might be using an unusually large buffer capacity to stabilize signal and this might also in part explain its quality of playback.