Help with DAC or Streamer please

[Mattwah]

Hiya, I’ve recently upgraded my home high with help from you all- much appreciated

Have ended up with a basic NAD CD player, a Densen Beat 130xs integrated amp and a pair of Audio Monitor Syudio 89 speakers…

Last piece of the puzzle is playing Apple Music… unfortunately there is no optical input on the amp, so getting from the IPad to the rca inputs i can’t really do via cables (I think) without it sounding crap.

To that end, im thinking ill get a streamer- so music from iPad to streamer over wifi, from streamer to amp via quality RCA cables.

I’m wondering (if you agree with me) and then, what compatible streaming device will do the job to an audio quality that will make the most of the amp and speaker combo?

Will a WiiM ultra get the job done, or do I need to look at more expensive alternatives like Eversolo, or something else?

Cheers

A few pics attached of current setup

 

[staticV3]

The WiiM Ultra does not support AirPlay, so not really suited for playing Apple Music from an Apple iPad.

Since the Densen doesn't have XLR Line in, I don't see the point in a DMP-A6 either.

Instead, I would buy a WiiM Pro Plus and do CD Player->WiiM->Densen.

The WiiM will auto switch between Streaming input and CD input and you can use its built-in PEQ to apply room correction to your speakers, which I'd highly recommend.

Add a UMIK-1 microphone for accurate response measurements and you're still way below the cost of a DMP-A6, but with higher sound quality potential due to the room correction capabilities.

For this, you can either connect the UMIK to your iPad and use the automatic measurement and room correction function built into the WiiM Home App, or you can measure your system separately using Room EQ Wizard running on a computer, then copy the resulting PEQ values back into the WiiM App.

 

[Mattwah]

The WiiM Ultra does not support AirPlay, so not really suited for playing Apple Music from an Apple iPad.

Since the Densen doesn't have XLR Line in, I don't see the point in a DMP-A6 either.

Instead, I would buy a WiiM Pro Plus and do CD Player->WiiM->Densen.

The WiiM will auto switch between Streaming input and CD input and you can use its built-in PEQ to apply room correction to your speakers, which I'd highly recommend.

Thanks, alternately, can i just get a good DAC with usb c input, and and rca outputs and run a cable from the iPad to the DAC and rca outputs to the amp (thinking of ways to minimise the expense but still achieve decent quality)

 

[staticV3]

Thanks, alternately, can i just get a good DAC with usb c input, and and rca outputs and run a cable from the iPad to the DAC and rca outputs to the amp (thinking of ways to minimise the expense but still achieve decent quality)

Sure, if you don't mind the wire.

You don't even have to spend all that much, all you need really is the Apple headphone adapter with a 3.5mm to 2x RCA cable.

Even that has higher sound quality than human ears can reliably perceive.

Though compared to the WiiM, you'd lose the convenience of wireless operation and more importantly, room correction which absolutely improves sound quality audibly.

 

[Mattwah]

Sure, if you don't mind the wire.

You don't even have to spend all that much, all you need really is the Apple headphone adapter with a 3.5mm to 2x RCA cable.

Even that has higher sound quality than human ears can reliably perceive.

Though compared to the WiiM, you'd lose the convenience of wireless operation and more importantly, room correction which absolutely improves sound quality audibly.

Sure, if you don't mind the wire.

You don't even have to spend all that much, all you need really is the Apple headphone adapter with a 3.5mm to 2x RCA cable.

Even that has higher sound quality than human ears can reliably perceive.

Though compared to the WiiM, you'd lose the convenience of wireless operation and more importantly, room correction which absolutely improves sound quality audibly.

Thanks, I gave it a go as per the attached and it is pretty good (a/b same tunes out of the iPad then switching to same track via the mad cd player)

Most noticeable difference was the source volume is quite a bit lower via iPad vs nad

The music also seems more detailed and the sound stage a bit more clearly defined via the cd… but maybe I’m being hypersensitive

Will sleep on it and have a listen again tomorrow

Would be good to avoid an additional 500 to?? expense, but I’ll do it if it results in better sound

Thanks for your help

 

[staticV3]

Thanks, I gave it a go as per the attached and it is pretty good (a/b same tunes out of the iPad then switching to same track via the mad cd player)

Most noticeable difference was the source volume is quite a bit lower via iPad vs nad

The music also seems more detailed and the sound stage a bit more clearly defined via the cd… but maybe I’m being hypersensitive

Will sleep on it and have a listen again tomorrow

Would be good to avoid an additional 500 to?? expense, but I’ll do it if it results in better sound

Thanks for your help

That doesn't look like an Apple headphone adapter

But yes, even an original Apple adapter will only play about 2/3rds as loud as your CD player, so you'd have to turn up the Amp a bit to compensate.

The WiiM doesn't have that issue.

 

[Mattwah]

That doesn't look like an Apple headphone adapter

But yes, even an original Apple adapter will only play about 2/3rds as loud as your CD player, so you'd have to turn up the Amp a but to compensate.

Yeah, it just a usbc to headphone adapter- not an Apple product
Perhaps I should try a gen adapter?
https://adapteroo.com.au/products/apple-genuine-lightning-to-3-5mm-audio-aux-adapter with better sound as a result?

currency=AUD&variant=41525042741448&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=f01c6f8a4ddd&utm_campaign=gs-2022-02-02&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoaRDZ2gI-0J6qw_XsmSmCSOMdGuQ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn6CbxuWIiQMVx9IWBR3l2wOZEAQYBSABEgJUVvD_BwE

 

[staticV3]

Yeah, it just a usbc to headphone adapter- not an Apple product
Perhaps I should try a gen adapter?
https://adapteroo.com.au/products/apple-genuine-lightning-to-3-5mm-audio-aux-adapter with better sound as a result?

currency=AUD&variant=41525042741448&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&stkn=f01c6f8a4ddd&utm_campaign=gs-2022-02-02&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoaRDZ2gI-0J6qw_XsmSmCSOMdGuQ&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn6CbxuWIiQMVx9IWBR3l2wOZEAQYBSABEgJUVvD_BwE

Here's the original Apple adapter:

Buy USB-C to 3.5-mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The USB-C to 3.5-mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect a standard 3.5-mm audio plug to your USB-C devices. Perfect for headphones or speakers.

www.apple.com

Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect devices with an audio jack to Lightning accessories. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

www.apple.com

If the slight volume discrepancy to your CD player is an issue, then you can also get 3rd party adapters that'll play just as loud.

 

[Mattwah]

Here's the original Apple adapter:

Buy USB-C to 3.5-mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The USB-C to 3.5-mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect a standard 3.5-mm audio plug to your USB-C devices. Perfect for headphones or speakers.

www.apple.com

Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect devices with an audio jack to Lightning accessories. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

www.apple.com

If the slight volume discrepancy to your CD player is an issue, then you can also get 3rd party adapters that'll play just as loud.

Thanks
Will grab one and see if the sound is better than the one I picked up at Jaycar
The lower volume is not an issue - just makes the a/b testing a touch less fluid

 

[Mattwah]

Ended up grabbing an Eversolo a6 master and a tidal sub

Gave the old JBL Tlx 12s a run too
Good treble, decent mids and bass but nowhere near the clarity of the Monitor Audios…