sumit.gahoi

Alcarp, My DAC worked with both 4.3 and 5.0 iOS version, without any powered USB hub. So I am guessing iOS 5 gives as much power via USB as 4.3 Thanks, Sumit

Hi Dj, Long cables are rarely advisable. And toslink is generally considered the weakest digital link. Firewire or a well implemented USB are better connections. You own an excellent dac and you might want to invest in a good trasport as well. If money is not a big concern, you could look at Mac Mini or a Squeezebox Touch as transport. Then you could wirelessly play songs from your macbook or an iOS device. Sumit

Hi Alcarp, I use Benchmark Dac1 Pre which plays iPad out of the box. iPad with a powered usb hub doesn't sound like an elegant setup. You might be better off with a mac mini. Sumit

I tested 24/96 on iPad 2 with iOS 5. It plays and plays as good as ever.

Thanks Paul. This information was really helpful. I'll leave it to Benchmark Dac to deal with jitters

Hi Alcarp, Based on your experience, it seems a full fledged computer yields better result. Just of curiosity, if iPad too sends bit perfect data to the DAC as a mac mini, why would the two sound any different? Jitter? Is iPad's USB output jitter prone? In anycase, powered USB hub doesn't sound suitable for any high fidelity audio setup. Thanks, Sumit

Hello Everyone, Has anyone ever tried a Benchmark Dac1 (supposedly, jitter immune) with and without a jitter conditioner like Theta TLC. Do they have any positive impact on the output from the Benchmark DAC? Apple TV 2 is much ridiculed by audiophiles because of two issues - 1) Jitter - that I'm trying to minimize via Benchmark + Theta TLC combo. 2) SRC to 48KHz - interestingly, according to Benchmark, "Our measurements show that the iTunes 7.X SRC is so good that it should be inaudible". Since this is software based, hopefully this extends to Apple TV as well. Why I'm so hung up on Apple TV? For the unbeatable convenience. Again, any feedback on Theta TLC + Benchmark is much appreciated. Thank you, Sumit

Hi, This question may be blasphemous by audiophile standards, but I'm still going ahead with it. I have a Benchmark Dac1 Pre with 3 coax and 1 Toslink. Unfortunately, I have two sources with Toslink (Apple TV 2 and XBox 360). Other than buying a new DAC, is there any workaround? Does toslink-to-coax converter introduces jitter or cause the signal to degrade? Any toslink to coax converter suggestion? Thanks, Sumit

http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/06/ios-4-2-said-to-blocking-ipad-camera-kit-from-supporting-some-us/ confirms that indeed amperage has been reduced. Powered USB hub might help but it'd be too much of an hassle - Mac mini/SBT might be better in that case.

I'm getting good results with Benchmark Pre. For critical listening I've started using my iPad with it's USB port. Sounds amazing!

I tried iPad with Benchmark Dac1 Pre and it sounds awesome. And it does stream 24/96. @alcarp - which DAC are you using? iPad will only work with those DACs that work with native USB drivers.

Hi CD, May be I can answer your questions. Things to keep in mind are - 1) Contrary to popular belief, iTunes is not a media player. It is just database, playlist organizer, etc. 2) QuickTime handles the playback both on Mac and PC. I assume iPad has an optimized version of QuickTime. 3) You can create an entire library of songs (redbook, 24/96) in iTunes on a Mac or PC. 4) You can then "expose" this library using Home Sharing feature in iTunes. With this feature, all other Apple devices, including iPad, can "see" this library. If they can see it, they will also be able to play it. 5) When iPad plays a song, it can either pass the bits to it's internal DAC OR can pass the bits via USB to USB DAC. The latter is bit-perfect. Thing to bear in mind is that the playback is still being handled by QuickTime (converting Apple Lossless into LPCM). To answer your question - 1) Syncing would mean the intention is to play songs stored on iPad. The physical size of the iPad (max 64GB) seriously limits this option. With streaming, you get access to unlimited songs on your main iTunes library, even 24/96. More importantly, you get access to your entire iTunes playlists, videos, movies, etc. 2) To be able to remotely control the iPad is definitely a plus but not a requirement. To give you an analogy with SBT, you can touch control SBT but also use the remote to control it from a distance. Remote indeed gets handy. Other than the controlling the iPad from a distance, there are 3 minor issues with this approach - 1) If streaming, computer with the main iTunes library needs to be running all the time. SBT has a similar requirement. Alternative is to use a NAS with iTunes server. 2) iPad can't be charged while it is attached to the DAC. 3) No native Flac support. Neither it will ever be. Sumit

I think what most of us are missing is that syncing your ipad with your entire music collection is not practical given - 1) It's not easy to "sync" hi-rez tracks via iTunes. 2) Even if high-rez songs could be synced, iPad will quickly run out of space (even 64GB version). 3) We download songs on our computers and then sync them to iPad. It would mean un-tethering the ipad from the DAC and tethering it with computer (though iOS 5 will change that) every now and then. It quickly becomes a pain. iPad is more suited to Home Sharing. You could share your entire iTunes collection (GBs and GBs of songs) on your laptop (including 24/96 songs) with iPad. You will never have to sync your iPad and it will be able to play 24/96 bit perfectly. The only problem would then remain - how to control iPad from a distance. If this could be solved, iPad will be unbeatable as a music transport. It'd be as elegant as it can get. Sumit

Hello Audiophiles, I've been looking at a music transport that - 1) Has no moving part 2) Emits near-zero heat and noise 3) Dead silent 4) DC or battery powered 5) Can wirelessly stream 24/96 music 6) Has unbeatable user-interface 7) Gels well with iTunes ecosystem 8) Can play Pandora, Spotify, and the ilk. 9) Is as jitter-free as it can get. 10) Can be operated from a distance via a remote or an app. I think iPad fits the bill here. See http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/discuss/feedback/newsletter/2011/06/1/ipad-streams-high-resolution-audio-dac1 iPad is good with 1-9 points above. Does any one know if one operate it from a distance? I wish Remote App could control it as well Thanks, Sumit

I share the same frustration with Apple TV as you. It's convenience is unbeatable, but audio performance is typical consumer-grade. I have decided to use my iPad's dock with (hopefully) Benchmark Dac1 Pre's USB input. SQ wise it may be the best transport at any price. And it can also stream 24/96 songs over wi-fi and bit-perfectly. See http://www.benchmarkmedia.com/discuss/feedback/newsletter/2011/06/1/ipad-streams-high-resolution-audio-dac1 The only thing remaining is to be able to find a way to control music playback on the iPad from a distance. Thanks, Sumit