[musedesign]

Hi All,
  Are there any inexpensive digital audio players for streaming music such as Spotify or Pandoa with digital audio out ?
 
I have a iFi Nano iDSD and looking for an inexpensive way to stream music as a portable rig.
 
Thanks!

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
  Are there any inexpensive digital audio players for streaming music such as Spotify or Pandoa with digital audio out ?

 
Yeah, it's whatever carrier-subsidized smartphone you can get your hands on that works with USB-OTG or, if you can get an iPhone cheap, the CCK-USB adapter.
 
You will not find a dedicated player with those features that are "inexpensive" because the economics would not make sense. It won't be produced in large quantities since it isn't a mass-market product that nearly everybody wants to have such a device, and as such smartphones need a carrier to function, so these carriers subsidize the units and make money back through however much they expect you to shell out monthly. As it is there really isn't any other way you can even get Spotify or Pandora anyway.
 
The only alternative would be the Astel&Kern Players that have WiFi and digital audio output at around $1,000 so that's far from inexpensive. Then again, for all I know you might be Prince Jefri or something  

 

 

[cel4145]

Yeah, it's whatever carrier-subsidized smartphone you can get your hands on that works with USB-OTG or, if you can get an iPhone cheap, the CCK-USB adapter.

+1

Probably can pick up an older model Android phone that works with USB-OTG for a pretty reasonable price

 

[musedesign]

   
Yeah, it's whatever carrier-subsidized smartphone you can get your hands on that works with USB-OTG or, if you can get an iPhone cheap, the CCK-USB adapter.
 
You will not find a dedicated player with those features that are "inexpensive" because the economics would not make sense. It won't be produced in large quantities since it isn't a mass-market product that nearly everybody wants to have such a device, and as such smartphones need a carrier to function, so these carriers subsidize the units and make money back through however much they expect you to shell out monthly. As it is there really isn't any other way you can even get Spotify or Pandora anyway.
 
The only alternative would be the Astel&Kern Players that have WiFi and digital audio output at around $1,000 so that's far from inexpensive. Then again, for all I know you might be Prince Jefri or something  

 

Dear ProtegeManiac,
  Thank you for the reply !
 
  I didn't realize that an iphone with the camera connection kit (CCK) was DAC out, thought it was only line-out.  Seems like an iPad or older iPhone with the CCK > iFi Nano iDSD is a great solution.
 
Thanks! 

 

[ProtegeManiac]

 
  I didn't realize that an iphone with the camera connection kit (CCK) was DAC out, thought it was only line-out.  Seems like an iPad or older iPhone with the CCK > iFi Nano iDSD is a great solution.

 

The CCK only works with the 5S or newer running iOS7 and up...but then again, I'm still using a Galaxy S3 and just bought two new batteries along the way, so for you a previous version phone can already be "older."

 

As for the iPad...if you're thinking of using these as straight up portables, how do you use these on the move? An old iPhone plus the iDSD can work inside any bag as long as it doesn't get scratched up, but I'm not sure how to rout the cable if you're using a dedicated iPad bag. Or do you mean to use it as a transportable, meaning you can transport it somewhere then assemble it? Think of the distinction between those in military terms: portable would be main battle tanks (can attack on the move), transportable would be a self-propelled artillery gun (park, switch suspension settings to stabilize the gun, check coordinates and fire) or mechanized infantry (open hatch, disembark, assault/escort through certain locations).

 

In any case, a few examples of using Android and iOS devices:
 

 

 

 

[musedesign]

   

The CCK only works with the 5S or newer running iOS7 and up...but then again, I'm still using a Galaxy S3 and just bought two new batteries along the way, so for you a previous version phone can already be "older."

 

As for the iPad...if you're thinking of using these as straight up portables, how do you use these on the move? An old iPhone plus the iDSD can work inside any bag as long as it doesn't get scratched up, but I'm not sure how to rout the cable if you're using a dedicated iPad bag. Or do you mean to use it as a transportable, meaning you can transport it somewhere then assemble it? Think of the distinction between those in military terms: portable would be main battle tanks (can attack on the move), transportable would be a self-propelled artillery gun (park, switch suspension settings to stabilize the gun, check coordinates and fire) or mechanized infantry (open hatch, disembark, assault/escort through certain locations).

 

In any case, a few examples of using Android and iOS devices:
 

 

 

Dear ProtegeManiac,
  Thank you for the reply !
 
Thinking of a wifi "rig" that I can use Spotify > "Wifi Streaming Device" > iFi Nano iDSD > Grado SR80 or Shure SE215
 
Found a blog post about using the CCK kit with an older iphone / ipad, http://blog.jdslabs.com/?p=838​

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Dear ProtegeManiac,
  Thank you for the reply !
 
Thinking of a wifi "rig" that I can use Spotify > "Wifi Streaming Device" > iFi Nano iDSD > Grado SR80 or Shure SE215
 
Found a blog post about using the CCK kit with an older iphone / ipad, http://blog.jdslabs.com/?p=838​

 

Then just make sure that the model iPhone on iOS7 does work. Note though that older Apple devices work slower on later iOS versions - initially you'd think it's because of an older processor or lower RAM, but some claim there's some kind of prebuilt bug in it that makes it suck on older devices to encourage you to upgrade - so keep that in mind. My friend's 4S nearly became unusable after upgrading to iOS7, but she somehow made it into the menu and shut every function. In that case there actually were too many background features running on iOS7 that the phone can't handle. Basically, read up so there won't be any surprises.

 

BTW that D-Zero MkII I posted up there is only $119 plus shipping (and taxes if applicable).

 

[musedesign]

 

 

Then just make sure that the model iPhone on iOS7 does work. Note though that older Apple devices work slower on later iOS versions - initially you'd think it's because of an older processor or lower RAM, but some claim there's some kind of prebuilt bug in it that makes it suck on older devices to encourage you to upgrade - so keep that in mind. My friend's 4S nearly became unusable after upgrading to iOS7, but she somehow made it into the menu and shut every function. In that case there actually were too many background features running on iOS7 that the phone can't handle. Basically, read up so there won't be any surprises.

 

BTW that D-Zero MkII I posted up there is only $119 plus shipping (and taxes if applicable).

Thank you !  I have an iphone 4S and know well the issue of sloooooow.  Love the iBasso "house sound", although I have the iFi Nano, in some ways prefer the iBasso D7, it just seems more "musical" less analytic.  

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Thank you !  I have an iphone 4S and know well the issue of sloooooow.  Love the iBasso "house sound", although I have the iFi Nano, in some ways prefer the iBasso D7, it just seems more "musical" less analytic.  

 

If you have the iFi Nano then just use that - I think it works on iOS devices. Depending on the player it can even work with DSD files.You can just get a sync dock like in my system so it can keep the display upright on your desk.

 

If you're planning to use it while moving around, might as well just use an efficient headphone/IEM with whatever iOS device you have. Apple's hardware is actually very good so it wouldn't distort for safe listening levels (and way past that actually, if you have an IEM with well over 100dB sensitivity).