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iPod Touch -> DAC -> Car Stereo (AUX-In)!?

post #1 of 5
3/23/09 at 6:14pm
Thread Starter 
Hi,

In a few weeks, I'm going to get my new VW Golf 6 with the "RCD 310" stereo system built in!
It features 8 speakers (4 x 20 Watts) and an AUX-In.
I'm going to use the line-in to connect my 1st generation iPod Touch to the car stereo.

1) Would it make a big difference, if I'd use a portable DAC to enhance the signal? The iPod has a quite weak output hasn't it?
Also, I only listen to lossless audio formats (ALAC, FLAC, AIFF, etc.)

2) Which portable DAC (battery powered + line-in) would you recommend for this purpose? I'm willing to spend 500$!
Furthermore, it would be great if it would also work nicely with headphones.

3) Which type/brand of line-in cable should I buy!? Any recommendations here?

Any help is greatly appreciated.
I'm quite new to the whole audiophile scene, so thanks up front.
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post #2 of 5
3/23/09 at 6:36pm
You can't use a dac with the iPod as you can't get a digital signal out of it (except with the Wadia or Krell home audio docks). You can get an analogue signal by using a lod and connect that to a line in on your car audio and you shouldn't need an amp for that
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post #3 of 5
3/23/09 at 6:51pm
I've used an H140--->iBasso D10 (optical DAC)--->Aux-in on my car stereo....but sadly my car's system is not resolving enough to hear any difference from going directly from the H140 analog Line-out.

The only benefit I've found is that the using the D10 provides it some more burn-in time.
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post #4 of 5
3/23/09 at 7:29pm
Get the Alpine iDA-X200 or iDA-X100 and you CAN have digital out of iPod and use the 24 bit burr-brown DAC of the head unit. I'm not overly keen on the UI but it sounds amazing with lossless files (more difficult to tell when driving of course).

Not a portable DAC though. but you basically can keep your iPod in the glove box hidden out of view with a USB cable going to the HU.
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post #5 of 5
3/24/09 at 12:07pm
Try the Line Out Dock first. I think you will be satisfied, with a lot less fuss than the other stuff. I doubt your amp/speaker setup in a car will able to tell the difference either, especially if you are driving that car like its supposed to be driven.
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