Wadia iTransport iPod Dock Gets Bit-Perfect Digital from iPods!

[wavoman]

Apple support forums have covered this and make it clear that the iPod does not handle higher res PCM, so the answer is no.

So you have to feed the Benchmark from the computer. Either use USB, or install a pro-type sound card with real S/PDIF or AES/EBU output (Lynx has been mentioned in this thread and elsewhere; M-Link has a consumer model with well-regarded 24/96 S/PDIF). Or a fancy solution from Empirical Audio as discussed in this thread. Folks don't trust USB with hi res PCM; I don't know -- my Benchmark is an old one before they added USB, so I use S/PDIF.

[tunes]

So to avoid needing both the Wadia ipod combo to enjoy the ver growing 24/96 encoded content I should scrap the idea of buying the Wadia and put the money toward a dedicated laptop with a remote control and listen to everything through itunes via USB to my DAC 1Pre.

BTW does itunes allow 24/96 downloads and conversion to Apple lossless??

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by tunes

So to avoid needing both the Wadia ipod combo to enjoy the ver growing 24/96 encoded content I should scrap the idea of buying the Wadia and put the money toward a dedicated laptop with a remote control and listen to everything through itunes via USB to my DAC 1Pre.

BTW does itunes allow 24/96 downloads and conversion to Apple lossless??

Yeah - Mac mini.

iTunes will play 24/96 and I can convert 24/96 FLAC into 24/96 AIFF and ALAC that run in iTunes, but have to download from places other than iTunes music store.

[Lornecherry]

I'm running a Wadia iTransport next to my regular Trends USB converter Foobar/PC setup and I can say the Wadia is almost identical sounding and quite good when fed through a decent DAC.

That said, my Trends UD 10.1 can't handle 24/96 so I feel your pain and am looking at the Lynx card for that.

Getting back to the Wadia, it's nice to drop your iPod in and get that quality out, especially with raw WAV files or Apple lossless from HD tracks. This device definitely has its advantages. As a bedside rig with a small DAC, I think it unrivaled, especially when Wadia releases the companion DAC.

[timb5881]

Originally Posted by morphsci

Well, neither one actually mentions anything about bit-perfect audio output. Both seem more focused to video (the HD in both refers to video upconversion) although the Creative does pass DTS so maybe it does do bit-perfect. The MSRP for the Creative looks like it will be around $400, so IMO the Wadia still looks like a good deal if you already have an ipod.

You are correct on them not mentioning any thing. The closest is that DLO states pure digital audio. When I emailed AudioEngine about their W2, they told me that they converted the analog to digital, this is then transmited to their base and reconverted back to analog (sorry no digital out), So with this in mind, I would be sceptical as to if the DLO or the Creative actually put out an original digital signal, or one that went from the analog out through a digital converter. So one needs to be aware that so far only Wadia is known for sure to pass digital out from an ipod.

[HeadphoneAddict]

Originally Posted by timb5881

You are correct on them not mentioning any thing. The closest is that DLO states pure digital audio. When I emailed AudioEngine about their W2, they told me that they converted the analog to digital, this is then transmited to their base and reconverted back to analog (sorry no digital out), So with this in mind, I would be sceptical as to if the DLO or the Creative actually put out an original digital signal, or one that went from the analog out through a digital converter. So one needs to be aware that so far only Wadia is known for sure to pass digital out from an ipod.

So, if hypothetically speaking the DLO converts analog to digital, why do I not have trouble with my iMod because I am not using any coupling caps between the iMod and DLO HD to block DC offset from the direct from DAC signal. Using optical out of the DLO Homedock HD basically sounds as good as the iMod with Vcap or Jensen Copper Foil big cap dock to RCA out.

[timb5881]

Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict

So, if hypothetically speaking the DLO converts analog to digital, why do I not have trouble with my iMod because I am not using any coupling caps between the iMod and DLO HD to block DC offset from the direct from DAC signal. Using optical out of the DLO Homedock HD basically sounds as good as the iMod with Vcap or Jensen Copper Foil big cap dock to RCA out.

I am just saying that it may be analog converted to digital. I do not know, I have emailed DLO about it, but no reply. Audioengine replied and told me their process of analog to digital back to analog on their base/reciever If it is a true digital stream, I will get one myself.


Tim

[timb5881]

The folks at DLO finally replied back about the iboom's digital out:

Dear Sir/Maam

The Home Dock HD does not recieve any dital streams from the IPod. The Digital output on the Home Dock HD is converting the audio from the analog outputs of the IPod. So, it is not a bit-perfect digital signal that goes around the IPod internal DAC.

Thank you
James
Philips Email Technical Support

[HeadphoneAddict]

So, I'm just hearing the iMod DAC which is why it sounds the same as iMod with Vcaps.

[tinseljim]

I hope this isn't too off topic but I have an Alpine X200 head unit in my car and when I connect my iPhone to it it seems that digital information is going into the head unit rather than analog? It must be because it's connected to a USB cable connected to the unit. The iPod controls don't work and the HU takes over.

BUT I can then go to 'Air Sharing' and tap on some music files and the music comes out of my iPhone into the HU with the iPhone controlling it. Could we not then just hook this up to a USB head amp?

Sorry if this has been covered and if this is old news to everyone (i have tried searching).

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by vcoheda

Balanced question re iTransport.

Let's say i owned a Benchmark DAC1. i notice on the DAC1 that it has 3 options for digital inputs - coaxial, optical, and XLR. the iTransport only has a coaxial connection as a way to connect it to an external DAC. so if the following is my setup

iTransport (via coaxial) > DAC1 > Balanced amp

does this mean that b/c i am not using the XLR balanced digital input from my music to the DAC1 that my setup is not balanced.

anyone knowledgeable about this.

I am using the DAC1 Pre with the iTransport. The DAC1 definitely has a good jitter-rejection circuitry so IMHO the coax works just as well as the balanced XLR digital input

I know a reviewer who used a crappy PC based DVD writer with SPDIF out and a wire clothes hanger as a transport against a pricier dedicated CD transport and he said he didn't notice that much difference between the two.

Loving the iTransport/DAC1 combo.

A Squeezebox etc may be better in some ways but I like having the iPod since I can just unplug it just as easily to bring outside with me. I only have to rip my CDs once to iTunes and it's done for both home and portable use.

[emelius]

i saw that someone over on audiogon had the itransport paired with the meridian 566...

that's the same dac as is found in their legendary 508 series of players...

like the 508, the 566 comes in 20 and 24-bit versions...

also, it's limited to 48khz....

anyways, i thought that was an inspired idea that i'd love to hear the results of...but if you're not a fan of meridian then kindly disregard...

[hoosterw]

Well as of tomorrow up to Saturday we have a show (open dagen) where we connect the iWadia via de Supernaits DAC and comparing to amongst other the Linn Accurate and Naim HDX.

Any dutchies that would like to 'hear' are welcome.

Find our announcement here

Rgds Hans

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by hoosterw

Well as of tomorrow up to Saturday we have a show (open dagen) where we connect the iWadia via de Supernaits DAC and comparing to amongst other the Linn Accurate and Naim HDX.

Any dutchies that would like to 'hear' are welcome.

Find our announcement here

Rgds Hans

Hi Hans... big fan of the iQube here.

I have an iMod and waiting for my new (custom built by a friend) Sonicaps 8.6uF portable kit that would be awesome with the iQube.

But having just got a Classic for the Wadia, I think a portable apple digital output dock/iQube V2 would be scarily good and really open up the market for those who aren't able to get access easily to the iMod (due to limited numbers of older gen iPods).

Any chance you'll work some of your magic to include some way for the iQube V2/DAC to pull the digital bitstream from newer gen iPods?

I figure this dock is going to need some power (like the Wadia, which can easily be supplied by the iQube's batteries)

How about it?

:P

[doggiehowser]

I don't recall seeing these two reviews posted:

6moons audio reviews: Wadia 170i transport
(translated from German)


Playback - August 2008
(click on the Wadia on the front cover page)