[JoeyGS]

In my exploration with the world of audiophile digital source, I have currently created 2 digital sources, mainly, from the Ipod/Ipad/Iphone and the desktop/laptop computers (Mac or WIndows). Both have different digital signal chains as follows:

for the  Ipod/Ipad/Iphone:

 Ipod/Ipad/Iphone ---> Onkyo ND-S1 Ipod dock -----> coax cable -----> dac -----> preamp/amp

for the desktop/laptop computer:

desktop/laptop computer -----> USB cable -----> Onkyo ND-S1 Ipod dock -----> coax cable -----> dac -----> preamp/amp

OR

desktop/laptop computer -----> USB/SPDIF converter -----> coax cable -----> dac -----> preamp/amp


Now, with the above I would like to retain both sources (Ipod/Ipad/Iphone & desktop/laptop computer) but would like to reduce a component in the digital chain.  The Ipod dock and the USB/SPDIF converter are 2 separate gadgets which handles the digital signal and outputs it into the coaxial cable going to the dac.

I am happy with output from the USB/SPIF converter than the Onkyo Ipod dock.  Now, the questions are:

1.  To get rid on the Onkyo Ipod Dock, and just connect the Ipod/Ipad/Iphone via a LOD cable into the computer's USB port and play via Itunes, will the sound quality be the same as compared to the Ipod/Ipad/Iphone connected to the Onkyo Ipod dock?  That means I will play songs in the Ipod/Ipad/Iphone by using Itunes and the computer.

2.  In the following digital connection chain,

Ipod/Ipad/Iphone -----> LOD cable to USB -----> desktop/laptop computer -----> USB/SPDIF converter -----> coax cable -----> dac -----> preamp/amp

Am I extracting pure digital information from the Ipod/Ipad/Iphone which is being fed into the computer?

[jrebman]

I'm not quite sure how you'd play the iPod/iPad through the computer directly -- not saying it can't be done, but I don't know how to do this and have never heard of anybody doing it.

You might just want to try getting the camera connection kit and plugging the usb -> spdif converter directly into the pod/pad/phone device.  This does work with a good number of dacs/converters, but not all, and I don't know if anybody has a list compiled of what's been tried and works, or not.

HTH,

Jim

[JoeyGS]

After connecting the Ipod/Ipad to the computer via the USB cable, I will play the music inside the Ipod thru Itunes.

I will checkout the camera connection kit.

I'm not quite sure how you'd play the iPod/iPad through the computer directly -- not saying it can't be done, but I don't know how to do this and have never heard of anybody doing it.

You might just want to try getting the camera connection kit and plugging the usb -> spdif converter directly into the pod/pad/phone device.  This does work with a good number of dacs/converters, but not all, and I don't know if anybody has a list compiled of what's been tried and works, or not.

HTH,

Jim

[srb]

If the iPod/iPad/iPhone contains music that was synchronized from one of the computers, what would be the reason to playback from the iDevice, particularly if the computer has to be powered on if it is in the signal chain?
 
Steve

[JoeyGS]

Not all of my music are present in both itunes and in the ipod. And I get your point in just separating the portable devices from the main rig. It's just that the Ipod can also be simply hooked up into the main rig via a dock and you need not go into booting up your music server when you need a quick listen. And also, during music sessions with friends, they can just plug their Ipods into the PC music server and listen to their own music material.

I am actually using the Onkyo ND-S1 but still not satisfied with the output. This is because the PC, converter and outboard dac combo sounds way better than the Ipod, NDS1 Dock, and outboard dac combo. Mind you, the HiFace USB/SPDIF converter puts the digital rig at par with some of the best CD players out there, or even better. And I hear now that the Halide Design Bridge (another USB/SPDIF converter) also does a great job in bringing all the music data to the dac less the noise coming from the music source. There are other Ipod docks now in the market but are relatively more pricey.

Also, when I hook up my Ipod to the computer via USB cable, I am able to play the Ipod's music via Itunes. So, the question is...... in doing this, is the Ipod sending pure digital music data into the computer via the USB cable and then Itunes send its either to the computer's sound card or to another USB so its gets processed by an external DAC?

[srb]

Also, when I hook up my Ipod to the computer via USB cable, I am able to play the Ipod's music via Itunes. So, the question is...... in doing this, is the Ipod sending pure digital music data into the computer via the USB cable and then Itunes send its either to the computer's sound card or to another USB so its gets processed by an external DAC?

Yes, when you connect the iPod to your computer via a USB cable, the computer/iTunes is accessing the iPod's memory in the same way as it would any externally attached USB hard drive, SSD or thumb drive.
 
Steve

[*Scotty*]

I suspect but cannot prove that the iTunes is treating the iPhone like a hard drive and is pulling data off of it to be fed into iTunes which then acts as your media player. If you can control the volume or the song selection from the iPhone by accessing directly the song you want to hear on the iPhone then maybe iTunes isn't completely in the middle of things.
 iTunes is the great middleman from Apple,it wants to get up in your business when ever you want to do anything with another Apple device and a computer with iTunes on it. You can't treat your iPhone like a hard drive and put what ever you want on it,everything has to go through iTunes first. The iPhone will be treated as a digital camera by Windows and it is possible to download pictures from it directly to the computer without iTunes being involved.
Scotty

[Crimson]

What you're trying to accomplish is absolutely doable, caveat being you're limited to the resolution of the files that you're loading on your ipod.

Load your iPod with at least lossless files, and you should be good to go.

[JoeyGS]

Precisely,  knowing the limitations of the Ipod/Iphone/Ipad with respect to music resolution, one does need to invest too much.  With lossless music format plus plus digital signal from the Ipod/Iphone/Ipad, it can be both used as a mobile player and as well as a digital transport.