RockStar2005
Headphoneus Supremus
I'd like to start a discussion on taking wireless connectivity up to where it FINALLY can match a wired setup. But to do that, the next step has to be taken in wireless technology, and I don't see that it has yet.
Most people reading this know how a DAC works. It converts digital audio within a source to analog so that it can be listened to via a wired setup with headphones (or speakers). Digital music must be converted to analog to produce ACTUAL sound. That's how it works. The reason why Bluetooth and even Wi-Fi can't sound AS great as wired is because in order transmit that sound to those portable devices, the premium DAC found in all premium players and amp/DAC devices gets bypassed COMPLETELY since there's no reason for it to get involved. And so the MAGIC component of true Hi-Fi music gets left behind in favor of convenience. And wireless IS convenient. But can we have both??
Enter the PREMIUM DADC. What if we had a device that was a DAC and that would NOT let digital signals meant for wireless transfer get bypassed, but instead, took them in and processed them with the same magic a regular premium DAC? It would convert the digital signal to analog, apply its MAGIC, convert it to analog and then BACK to digital, and transfer it off to the wireless device of your choice. Would this work??
I think it would work. But what happens to the original signal after being converted so many times? Would it degrade? What about when it reaches say, your wireless BT headphones? Obviously a final digital to analog conversion MUST take place in order to hear the music, so would that further add to degradation? Or would there be NO signal degradation at all?? These are questions I'm hoping some more tech-savvy readers on Head-Fi can answer!
We could have these DADC devices replace the DACs in our players, smartphones, etc. They could either be IN the players themselves, or just be external and act like a sort of "Wi-Fi Hotspot" and do their thing that way too. Of course I'd rather just have it IN the phone, but let's look at the external idea for a second. This new device, called Air Mode, sits around your neck (or wherever you wanna place it, like table, couch seat, etc), takes the digital signal from your player, then shoots it into the headphones via a wired connection. Now this obviously isn't TOTALLY wireless, but it's a step in the right direction at least. But at the end of the day it's STILL no different than a regular conventional wireless setup. At least in terms of quality.
What I'm proposing, or asking really, is that maybe some inventors who are looking for the next great Hi-Fi product to make & sell answer the questions above, work around any "roadblocks" there may be, and then do what they can to develop an actual DADC device to be used by those who want REAL wired HiFi-quality sound in a wireless design. I think the reason why a lot of people don't embrace Hi-Fi is b/c they don't know much about it and many have become or are becoming too comfortable with wireless. But they're missing out, and you know what, if it IS possible to match wired sound quality by using a wireless setup, then so are we in my opinion!
I'm fine with my wired setup (smartphone connected to my portable premium amp/DAC device, which also connects to my headphones), but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer the same quality but in a wireless setup. If we could make this happen, then we could use something like Air Mode to still connect with our wired headphones, but the quality of the music received by Air Mode would be of course be MUCH higher than it is using what we're using now. Of course we'd make sure to have only the BEST bluetooth (or even Wi-Fi?) codecs like AptX, etc., be utilized. There should be NO weak components here. Hi-Res or at least CD-Quality music is also highly suggested, and investing in a solid pair of headphones like the AKG K550 or Bang & Olufsen 2nd Gen H6 (my Top 2 favorites) would only GUARANTEE outstanding sound quality!
I'd love to hear what everyone thinks. Please answer as many questions from above as you can, and feel to say what's on your mind, ask new questions, etc. Maybe a few of the inventors/developers on here can get together and then initiate a Kickstarter campaign once a prototype has been developed? I really want to see this happen, and I bet A LOT of people are too. Time to take things to the next level, if that's possible?!
Take a look at this brand new article too. People want more! Let's give it to 'em!!
Most people reading this know how a DAC works. It converts digital audio within a source to analog so that it can be listened to via a wired setup with headphones (or speakers). Digital music must be converted to analog to produce ACTUAL sound. That's how it works. The reason why Bluetooth and even Wi-Fi can't sound AS great as wired is because in order transmit that sound to those portable devices, the premium DAC found in all premium players and amp/DAC devices gets bypassed COMPLETELY since there's no reason for it to get involved. And so the MAGIC component of true Hi-Fi music gets left behind in favor of convenience. And wireless IS convenient. But can we have both??
Enter the PREMIUM DADC. What if we had a device that was a DAC and that would NOT let digital signals meant for wireless transfer get bypassed, but instead, took them in and processed them with the same magic a regular premium DAC? It would convert the digital signal to analog, apply its MAGIC, convert it to analog and then BACK to digital, and transfer it off to the wireless device of your choice. Would this work??
I think it would work. But what happens to the original signal after being converted so many times? Would it degrade? What about when it reaches say, your wireless BT headphones? Obviously a final digital to analog conversion MUST take place in order to hear the music, so would that further add to degradation? Or would there be NO signal degradation at all?? These are questions I'm hoping some more tech-savvy readers on Head-Fi can answer!
We could have these DADC devices replace the DACs in our players, smartphones, etc. They could either be IN the players themselves, or just be external and act like a sort of "Wi-Fi Hotspot" and do their thing that way too. Of course I'd rather just have it IN the phone, but let's look at the external idea for a second. This new device, called Air Mode, sits around your neck (or wherever you wanna place it, like table, couch seat, etc), takes the digital signal from your player, then shoots it into the headphones via a wired connection. Now this obviously isn't TOTALLY wireless, but it's a step in the right direction at least. But at the end of the day it's STILL no different than a regular conventional wireless setup. At least in terms of quality.
What I'm proposing, or asking really, is that maybe some inventors who are looking for the next great Hi-Fi product to make & sell answer the questions above, work around any "roadblocks" there may be, and then do what they can to develop an actual DADC device to be used by those who want REAL wired HiFi-quality sound in a wireless design. I think the reason why a lot of people don't embrace Hi-Fi is b/c they don't know much about it and many have become or are becoming too comfortable with wireless. But they're missing out, and you know what, if it IS possible to match wired sound quality by using a wireless setup, then so are we in my opinion!
I'm fine with my wired setup (smartphone connected to my portable premium amp/DAC device, which also connects to my headphones), but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't prefer the same quality but in a wireless setup. If we could make this happen, then we could use something like Air Mode to still connect with our wired headphones, but the quality of the music received by Air Mode would be of course be MUCH higher than it is using what we're using now. Of course we'd make sure to have only the BEST bluetooth (or even Wi-Fi?) codecs like AptX, etc., be utilized. There should be NO weak components here. Hi-Res or at least CD-Quality music is also highly suggested, and investing in a solid pair of headphones like the AKG K550 or Bang & Olufsen 2nd Gen H6 (my Top 2 favorites) would only GUARANTEE outstanding sound quality!
I'd love to hear what everyone thinks. Please answer as many questions from above as you can, and feel to say what's on your mind, ask new questions, etc. Maybe a few of the inventors/developers on here can get together and then initiate a Kickstarter campaign once a prototype has been developed? I really want to see this happen, and I bet A LOT of people are too. Time to take things to the next level, if that's possible?!
Take a look at this brand new article too. People want more! Let's give it to 'em!!
