iPad Pro source with McIntosh DAC

[rcdsystems]

Hello fellow audiophiles, first post here. I'm currently using an Apple iPad Pro (3rd gen) to play Apple Music Lossless via the USB audio output, connected to a McIntosh MA5300 integrated amp. The McIntosh has a DA1 DAC module built-in where I'm using the USB audio input. On the iPad, the sound output is variable, so I can change the volume there and also on the integrated amp. Is there an optimal output level I should use on the iPad? I normally just max that out and then control it from the McIntosh, but I'm wondering if keeping the source too loud would cause more distortion, etc. Thanks!

 

[staticV3]

I'm wondering if keeping the source too loud would cause more distortion, etc. Thanks!

Unless you're using EQ, increasing the volume to 100% on your iPad will not cause more distortion in the digital audio stream.
In fact, setting volume to <100% will reduce the dynamic range of your music.
Whether the DA1 DAC module can handle input signals at or close to -0.0dBFS is another story though.

 

[rcdsystems]

Cool, I usually keep the volume at 100% on the iPad and haven't noticed any problems so far. Thanks for the answer!

 

[toxotis70]

I am doing the same thing, but i cant find a way to control ipad from a distance… how do you do that?

 

[rcdsystems]

@toxotis70 Unfortunately Apple Music does not support any time of remote device, so I either pick a playlist and let it play for a while or tell Siri to play something. If the music is loud, Siri seems to have trouble understanding me.

 

[Sharpi31]

Interesting - I have an iPad Pro and connect directly to my RME ADI-2 DAC via lightning to USB. When I do that I have no volume control on my iPad (it’s disabled). I wonder why you retain iPad volume control with your Mac DAC….. no doubt a driver/handshake thingy……

 

[staticV3]

Interesting - I have an iPad Pro and connect directly to my RME ADI-2 DAC via lightning to USB. When I do that I have no volume control on my iPad (it’s disabled). I wonder why you retain iPad volume control with your Mac DAC….. no doubt a driver/handshake thingy……

That's because iOS does not have any kind of software volume control. The only way to retain volume control on your iPad with a USB DAC plugged in is if your DAC supports hardware volume control via UAC2 commands.