Don’t underestimate the sound quality of a small device.

[OldTimer]

My 6 years old DAP Cayin N3 is still better than iPad Pro 12.9 4th gen (Flacbox app) using the same USB C to C cable, DAC/Amp, and speakers. The only downside is the battery. It can only play 2 or 3 albums then I need to wait for it to be fully charged about 30 minutes. I found it better when I play music very loud.

 

[Somafunk]

As long as your ears subjectively prefer it then that's fine and dandy, but if you were to level match/filter match devices and yadda...yadda....etc...etc then I imagine you'd fail miserably at a db test

 

[voodooless]

Don’t underestimate how unreliable your hearing is.

 

[OldTimer]

Don’t underestimate how unreliable your hearing is.

but this is true. I prefer to listen the music from the DAP. iPad is only used for Qobuz app. Tidal and Apple Music for me, they are worst.

 

[OldTimer]

As long as your ears subjectively prefer it then that's fine and dandy, but if you were to level match/filter match devices and yadda...yadda....etc...etc then I imagine you'd fail miserably at a db test

I don’t use the DAC inside the DAP but using USB C to C cable to connect it to DAC/amp.

 

[Somafunk]

You must have truly exceptional hearing then as I have hearing up to 15khz at 75db so I'm jealous, I have an iPad Pro/iphone17, Hiby R6 iii dap, Tempotec v1 dap, qudelix 5k bluetooth/dac/amp and half a dozen dongles.

I'm perfectly happy listening to anything as its the music that matters.

 

[G|force]

I'm not disputing or supporting your choice, but I'll point out that this iPad model was released on March 25 2020, and therefore is almost 6 years old as well.

An irrelevant note: I have the same model, purchased in 2021. Despite the battery aging and not holding a charge very well, it still does everything I need on iPadOS 26.

 

[OldTimer]

You must have truly exceptional hearing then as I have hearing up to 15khz at 75db so I'm jealous, I have an iPad Pro/iphone17, Hiby R6 iii dap, Tempotec v1 dap, qudelix 5k bluetooth/dac/amp and half a dozen dongles.

I'm perfectly happy listening to anything as its the music that matters.

Most of the time I’m listening to Acoustic songs.

 

[OldTimer]

I'm not disputing or supporting your choice, but I'll point out that this iPad model was released on March 25 2020, and therefore is almost 6 years old as well.

An irrelevant note: I have the same model, purchased in 2021. Despite the battery aging and not holding a charge very well, it still does everything I need on iPadOS 26.

yes, the ipad battery still can hold halfday while playing music connect to USB C cable to DAC/amp.