This is a multi part question re: iPhone Xs, Qobuz, and Hi res music.

[new_media]

It will work without the camera connection kit, but I assume hi-res music is getting downconverted on the fly. Again, no way to be sure unless someone has a car stereo with a hi-res DAC.

[AudioDoctor]

I wouldn't even begin to know how to find that information about the system in my car.

[AudioDoctor]

@new_media

 

I spent part of this gray afternoon looking through the manual for my cars media system, COMAND.  I own a MB GLS550 and this was the result.  Looks like there will be no hi-res for me.

 

However, it would still be nice to get Qobuz on CarPlay so I can stream it at 320kbps and listen to the music I want to listen to.

 

[new_media]

@AudioDoctor

 

I drive a GLC 300. I hadn’t really paid attention to what codecs the audio system supports through USB, but that is disappointing. I have the upgraded Burmester audio system, but it seems to have the same restrictions. I just tried playing FLAC files via USB, and they are just skipped over.

 

However, I still think that I am getting lossless audio over the Apple CarPlay interface. Most of the files in my iTunes library are ALAC or AAC, and they play just fine. FLAC files also play through the Onkyo, Qobuz, and Tidal apps. I’m assuming the phone is putting out raw PCM to the DAC through the CarPlay interface. It wouldn’t make any sense for the stream to be converted to MP3 or WMA first. The car has a CD player, so obviously the stereo can handle PCM.

 

I was also a bit disappointed when I got the car that there is no auxiliary input for audio, so no way to utilize an external DAP. Is this true for all late model MB? I had a C-Class sedan as a loaner, and it didn’t have an aux port either. I have just about concluded that CDs or an iPhone synced with lossless files are the only way to get lossless with my car’s entertainment system.

[AudioDoctor]

I swear I saw a part in the manual about an aux port, but that may have been for the rear seat entertainment system, which I do not have. I would have to look again.  If it does I have not found it by chance yet.

 

The Qobuz app plays, but you have to fiddle with the phone correct?

[cambridgehank]

My E400 MY2018 has two usb inputs in the arm rest compartment. Our Mazda CX-5 has one in the rear seat arm rest. 

[new_media]

58 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

I swear I saw a part in the manual about an aux port, but that may have been for the rear seat entertainment system, which I do not have. I would have to look again.  If it does I have not found it by chance yet.

 

The Qobuz app plays, but you have to fiddle with the phone correct?

Yes, but you can navigate the Tidal app with the CarPlay interface. Lossless, but not hi-res. I am hoping they will integrate the Qobuz app at some point.

 

47 minutes ago, cambridgehank said:

My E400 MY2018 has two usb inputs in the arm rest compartment. Our Mazda CX-5 has one in the rear seat arm rest. 

Mine is the same. Two USB ports but no analog audio port. I had been able to use a Pono Player in my previous car, but no apparent option for that in the MB.

[cambridgehank]

I’m not sure what a pono player is, I missed read it first time thought you said porno player!  

[AudioDoctor]

5 hours ago, cambridgehank said:

I’m not sure what a pono player is, I missed read it first time thought you said porno player!  

 

I have actually seen people watching porn on their in car entertainment screens before...  Thankfully it was the rear seat passengers and not the driver.

[new_media]

My last car could play DVDs on the in-dash screen, but alas I never took advantage of it. ?

 

Actually, I think the screen would go black when the car was in motion.

[AudioDoctor]

I think I saw the manual telling me that what I see on the screen depends on the angle you're looking at it from. The passenger can watch a DVD and the driver will see the normal screen.

[new_media]

Now that's cool.