Connecting your iPod to a DAC via Toslink

I know there is a thread here on the new Onkyo transport ( http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/onk...d-dock-437889/ ), but I wanted to make a couple of iPod-specific points that had previously escaped me in the heat of the moment:

- unlike the photos I've seen of the Wadia, the Onkyo has USB, coaxial and SP/DIF digital outputs. For those of us with a DAC like the Topaz, this could be an answer to our prayers.

http://a6.vox.com/6a00b8ea0678dedece...13ae860f-500pi

- bypassing the DAC on the Classic will neatly circumvent a lot of the hot air around which has the better SQ of the current (or future..) slew of iPod/iPhone models. It won't be perfect, as the review below points out, but I'm expecting a substantial improvement over the standard DAC when I route the signal to the Topaz (the V-DAC is another unit that I'm considering in the future).

Onkyo ND-S1 iPod dock etc review - from the experts at whathifi.com

- from the Topaz, I can connect to any amp that takes RCA connections : no messing around with LOD cables etc, and subsequent upgrades will be able to take advantage of the fact that I can take a digital signal, bypass the iPod DAC, and push it to anything in the house. No juggling CDs, no looking around for bits and pieces - just leave the iPod in the dock and party on !

None of the above makes sense for portable (or even 'luggable') use, but for a bedroom rig it makes total sense to me : everything should sit neatly on a bedside table without 8 or 9 power cords dangling beneath. Obviously, the tried-and-true DAP+iBasso/Corda/HeadRoom portable amps still have an advantage for anything you want to take on the road, but I already have my Sony for that.

I suspect that my netbook would fill much the same role, with an even bigger hard drive, but I have tried it with the Topaz and the SQ result just isn't as good as it is from my Marantz (I don't want to get into a debate on jitter, but that may be the culprit - I dont expect that Asus spent a lot on the audio in this machine). Add issues with audible hum and the fact that it feels warmer than I'd like after several hours use - not my first preference. I also prefer to use TOSLINK over USB - again, I expect that will provoke some debate, but there you go. I just like the red light at the end of the cable

Even if the AUD price is 3 times the 150 pounds quoted in the review (and it shouldnt be given the strength of our dollar, but ours is a tiny market), I consider it a bargain. Nothing beats hearing the thing in action, but I have a friendly hi-fi store owner here in Brissie who already stocks the Wadia : should be a doddle to get an audition before Xmas.

Hope to be able to return with some feedback early in the New Year.

qusp, I think we could definitely get something happening the way of a meet if we could find a venue - there are several other headphone fans at Headphonics who are keen for something like this to happen - but it all comes down to a venue. I dont know how many of us are keen to have a horde of strangers come to our home and start plugging kit into every available powerpoint

Caxton Audio Brisbane and Sound Reference Melbourne - 30 plus years experience, hifi Brisbane, hifi Melbourne, in the heart of Paddington Brisbane and in trendy Fitzroy Melbourne - the best in high end Audio in Brisbane and Melbourne City and Queensl

You will need to take David as you find him - he doesnt mince his words, and some of his opinions mightn't gel with yours. He doesnt seem to have any particularly strong opinions on headphones - has a few pairs of AKG phones and thats about it - but I'd probably tread warily until he gets to know you. He's fairly easy going about auditioning, but I wouldnt ask to hear everything in the shop. He has some seriously expensive kit, but understands that we dont all own a Ferrari. In my case, I was pretty clear about what I wanted to hear and he was happy to oblige, particularly as he didnt have to wire up any speakers.