I've looked around a bit and haven't found anything very promising, but just wanted to check to make sure. Is there anyway to hook an iPod up to a USB dac? I'd like to use my old iPod at my desk setup, and am willing to buy a dock if there's one that will get this to work (short of spending tons of money on the Waia)

http://www.amazon.com/Pure-i-20-30-Pin-iPhone-Speaker/dp/B0049MOK92/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1408067201&sr=8-1&keywords=ipure

and

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_8?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=30+pin+lightning+adapter&sprefix=30+pin+l%2Caps%2C208&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3A30+pin+lightning+adapter

in case your ipod is new.

You can plug the digital stream from an iPod straight into an Arcam irDaC.

Is that what you are trying to do?

The Wadia 171i ain't cheap, I bought one years ago when it was the only way to hook an iPod up to a DAC.
Overpriced if you ask me.

The Arcam is even more expensive, but it's a complete DAC with USB, Optical and RCA digital inputs as well as a dedicated USB input for an iPod or iPad.

Thanks. Anything cheaper that you know of?

I'd also be willing to consider a new dap since my iPod is pretty old (wouldn't have to be an iPod) if there's anything that would work to a USB dac. Thoughts?

nojwe said:

Thanks. Anything cheaper that you know of?

I'd also be willing to consider a new dap since my iPod is pretty old (wouldn't have to be an iPod) if there's anything that would work to a USB dac. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

The FiiO X5 has a digital output, but it plugs Into a digital RCA jack, not a USB port.
I can't think of anything else though.

nojwe said:

I'd also be willing to consider a new dap since my iPod is pretty old (wouldn't have to be an iPod) if there's anything that would work to a USB dac. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

 
Why would you need to hook up a current DAP to a USB DAC? First off, they don't do USB audio, only SPDIF (if they have one). Second, the DAC and amplification circuit on the Fiio X3, X5 Ibasso DX50 and DX90 are comparable to a USB DAC's circuit. The X3 for example started out as an idea about putting in a processor, microSD slot, and control buttons onto an existing USB DAC. All those I mentioned are relatively affordable, and the DX50 can use its USB port to access another memory module - like a thumb drive, SD card reader, or even a portable harddrive given a compatible powered USB hub.
 
Also, check what phone or tablet you're using now - it might be capable of USB audio with the right adapter (like the USB OTG adapter for Androids), so you just need a DAC and maybe a dock to tidy things up. Even if you don't have one, you might get a carrier-subsidized unit as long as it won't end up with you paying much more monthly over what you would actually use.
 
Reference config

 
Transportable config - $99 Ibasso D-Zero works easily with the Samsung S3, just make sure you disable charging or it will drain the phone's battery

 
The iPad also works with the USB Camera Connection Kit (which I found out was the only way I can use the kit, because Apple is just about as compatible with RAW files as they are with FLAC)

nojwe said:

Thanks. Anything cheaper that you know of?

Click to expand...

Why not let everyone know your budget instead of keeping it a secret?

nojwe said:

I'd also be willing to consider a new dap since my iPod is pretty old (wouldn't have to be an iPod) if there's anything that would work to a USB dac. Thoughts?

Click to expand...

I'm confused as ProtegeManiac about your goal with that. However, if your goal is to use a DAC with a DAP to act as a media manager, Fiio X3 and iBasso DX50 have coaxial out. Get one of those and get a DAC with coaxial.

protegemaniac said:

Why would you need to hook up a current DAP to a USB DAC? First off, they don't do USB audio, only SPDIF (if they have one). Second, the DAC and amplification circuit on the Fiio X3, X5 Ibasso DX50 and DX90 are comparable to a USB DAC's circuit. The X3 for example started out as an idea about putting in a processor, microSD slot, and control buttons onto an existing USB DAC. All those I mentioned are relatively affordable, and the DX50 can use its USB port to access another memory module - like a thumb drive, SD card reader, or even a portable harddrive given a compatible powered USB hub.

Also, check what phone or tablet you're using now - it might be capable of USB audio with the right adapter (like the USB OTG adapter for Androids), so you just need a DAC and maybe a dock to tidy things up. Even if you don't have one, you might get a carrier-subsidized unit as long as it won't end up with you paying much more monthly over what you would actually use.

Transportable config - $99 Ibasso D-Zero works easily with the Samsung S3, just make sure you disable charging or it will drain the phone's battery

The iPad also works with the USB Camera Connection Kit (which I found out was the only way I can use the kit, because Apple is just about as compatible with RAW files as they are with FLAC)

Click to expand...

The DAC in my FiiO X5 does sound quite good,
But My FiiO X5 sounds superior via my Beresford Bushmaster II DAC than via the X5 LO.

Maybe the OP is looking for a better DAC? :confused_face_2:

cel4145 said:

Why not let everyone know your budget instead of keeping it a secret?

I'm confused as ProtegeManiac about your goal with that. However, if your goal is to use a DAC with a DAP to act as a media manager, Fiio X3 and iBasso DX50 have coaxial out. Get one of those and get a DAC with coaxial.

Click to expand...

 
I honestly wasn't sure of what my budget would be. If I'm just going to get a dock, I'd like to keep things as cheap as possible. If I'm getting a new dap, I'd be willing to go up to about $200 at this point.
 

chris j said:

The DAC in my FiiO X5 does sound quite good,
But My FiiO X5 sounds superior via my Beresford Bushmaster II DAC than via the X5 LO.

Maybe the OP is looking for a better DAC? 

Click to expand...

 
Yes, I'm looking for a better DAC. Here's how I'd like to have things set up: DAP as a file manager, basically, -> DAC/AMP -> headphones. Sometimes I'd use my laptop instead of my DAP, but I want to have some flexibility.
 

protegemaniac said:

 
Also, check what phone or tablet you're using now - it might be capable of USB audio with the right adapter (like the USB OTG adapter for Androids), so you just need a DAC and maybe a dock to tidy things up. Even if you don't have one, you might get a carrier-subsidized unit as long as it won't end up with you paying much more monthly over what you would actually use.

Click to expand...

 
Thanks, I hadn't realized USB OTG could carry audio. If I use a supported device, will OTG bypass the internal DAC? 

chris j said:

The DAC in my FiiO X5 does sound quite good,
But My FiiO X5 sounds superior via my Beresford Bushmaster II DAC than via the X5 LO.

Click to expand...

 
Well, technically, it won't really be the X5 soundign good through the Bushmaster, since the latter will be doing the decoding  In any case, it might also be because the Bushmaster's analog output is slightly higher. The gap isn't wide enough to be obvious, but enough to make it seem better (I think the X5 has close to 2v line output, unlike say the iPods' 1.2v or thereabouts).
 
 

nojwe said:

   
I honestly wasn't sure of what my budget would be. If I'm just going to get a dock, I'd like to keep things as cheap as possible. If I'm getting a new dap, I'd be willing to go up to about $200 at this point.

Click to expand...

 
Cheapest dock that can turn the iPod into a  transport is around $100 - the Pure i20. Also, the X3 is a $200 DAP. If anthing, the cable management on the iPod can be neater, given the ergonomic advantages to a dock, and one on the bottom at that. Some of the DAPs have their output on top of the screen, which helps with the more powerful portable amps that have their inputs in the rear, like balanced portables, but on a desk that will have the cable sticking out the top.
 

nojwe said:

 
Yes, I'm looking for a better DAC. Here's how I'd like to have things set up: DAP as a file manager, basically, -> DAC/AMP -> headphones. Sometimes I'd use my laptop instead of my DAP, but I want to have some flexibility.

Click to expand...

 
Well, as it is, the modern DAPs are already "better" DACs, unless you're using a really good one right now. The X5 (reputedly the DX90 as well, but I haven't listened to that one) though is very transparent and detailed, and even with my HD600 you'd have to skip over to the much bigger amps to notice any improvements.
 
As for file managers...well, that's where you'll put in some work. I won't when I get a DAP but that's because every time I rip a disc  I already check and double check the track tags; if you've been using iTunes all this time that can be a problem. Some of them don't sort files the same way as iPods, not sure which one doesn't do what though. I grew up using CDs and vinyl, not playlists, so even on music servers I just browse by album.
 
 

nojwe said:

 
Thanks, I hadn't realized USB OTG could carry audio. If I use a supported device, will OTG bypass the internal DAC? 

Click to expand...

 
By virtue of what it is, a Digital to Analogue Converter will take a digital signal then convert it to analog; if it already passed through another Digital to Analogue Converter then it won't work because then you'd need an Analogue to Digital to Converter first. The only application I'm aware of that works that way is in some car audio processors that won't require you to rip out the factory system.

protegemaniac said:

   
Well, technically, it won't really be the X5 sounding good through the Bushmaster II, since the latter will be doing the decoding 

 In any case, it might also be because the Bushmaster's analog output is slightly higher. The gap isn't wide enough to be obvious, but enough to make it seem better (I think the X5 has close to 2v line output, unlike say the iPods' 1.2v or thereabouts).

Click to expand...

 
Or maybe the Beresford Bushmaster MK II is a better DAC.