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iPad directly into Amp - okay idea? or bad idea?

I'm beginning my journey towards building my first audio system, and off to a great start with a pair of B&W CM9 S2 speakers. Next step - I need to power them with... something. I've found several vintage McIntosh amps available (like the MC 2105 & 2205). I was targeting around $1-1.5k more to get my system up and running, and these would consume that budget.

I'm considering pulling the trigger and getting one of them and plugging my iPad in to play music. Then I'll save up for a little bit until I can buy a proper tuner (I need a tuner next, right?). I get that this isn't ideal, but I'm wondering if it's bad for any reason? 

Additionally, I'm not sure about the nuances of how an iPad's headphone jack increases/decreases volume. I vaguely recall from long ago that plugging an iPhone into a tuner's component input sounded bad unless the iPhone volume was on max. Is this true? And if so, would that mean it would sound bad if it were anything less than full volume going into the amp? Which would almost certainly be too loud, correct?

And if I'm totally off track here, then how I can make music on my iPad play on my speakers for around the same price? 

Thanks in advance!
perplexy
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I wouldn't put the iPad volume to max but low and gradually increase, the only reason you would put it to max is if you ran through a preamp or integrated amp. 
perplexy OP
2 posts
 
Thanks for the quick responses! I just went and picked up an MC-2205 from its original owner. (!!!) Paid $1,600 which is a bit over the blue book private party price, but it looks pristine, I’m tired of sitting at home all day without an amp, and given the single-owner heritage I simply couldn’t resist. 
And now to go basque into the elation of having made a big purchase after waiting so long, and listen to all my favorite music again and discover new nuances for the first time. Thanks again!
masi61
97 posts
 
Are you using a mini headphone stereo plug that splits into RCA’S right and left channel? 

If if you are proposing going straight to the auxiliary or tuner RCA input from the iPad, I would say that this is a bad idea. I mean, the sound quality from this as your source is going to be poor. That is if you are relying on the tiny DAC inside your iPad. 

Maybe I misunderstood how you intend to take digital files on your iPad and play them on your MC-2205, are you using a DAC?

I listen through my Bryston DAC to digital files from my old iPhone 4 through a Wadia 171i digital dock that outputs it’s (really clean) digital signal via a digital coaxial cable into the Bryston DAC. The DAC has XLR left and right channel outputs to my Bryston BP-26 preamp. The sound quality is better than my Sony XA-5400ES CD player in some respects - lots of detail and texture and layering is preserved and replicated even on slightly lower res recordings. 

You cannot expect quality digital sound sound from an iPad outputting stereo analog out where you rely on the tiny iPad DAC. The sound quality will be harsh, tinny, inaccurate, etc...

I’m surprised no one asked about your DAC yet. Maybe there is a digital dock that accepts he iPad’s Lightening connector (instead of the headphone out) in a bit perfect way that can be imported into the DAC of your choice.
facten
2,764 posts
 
Unfortunately the Wadia masi61 mentioned isn't made anymore, I use one between my IPOD Classic and my Aqua LaVoce S3 Dac. You might want to check out one of the DACs from High Resolution Technologies , link below, to see if it will meet your needs. I have one of their IStreamer Dacs that I use in my headphone system if I want to use the IPOD Classic in that system. It will definitely sound better than trying to go from your IPAD directly

http://www.highresolutiontechnologies.com/


gussers
1 posts
 
I'm using a Zorloo DAC for my iPhone but if you have the Apple camera adapter you can use something like a Dragonfly.
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