I am still using the iPod Touch 4th generation which sits in a simple docking station that enables connection to a processor via RCA out. I absolutely love the sound of the Wolfson DAC in the iPod which to me; is better than than engaging the higher end DAC in my processor via an NVIDIA Shield and Spotify Connect. The former sounds much more dynamic and interesting, the later sounds flat and subdued. After researching this on the net, I'v come to learn that a lot of people loved the musicality and dynamism of the Wolfson DAC. Furthermore Apple engineers chose this DAC for the early iPod range and that alone says something about this DAC.
I have some questions:-
1. Are the classic Wolfson based DACs still available in an outboard / standalone version?
2. Is there a standalone DAC out there that comes very close or is identical to the Wolfson DAC?
3. Is there a way to turn the iPod into a standalone DAC? - Has anyone managed to do that?
I love the efficiency of Spotify Connect but I want to maintain the sound signature of the iPod Touch Gen4. Just to clarify, the EQ on my iPod has been deactivated.
To enjoy music, I have to physically copy the music files on my iPod which is becoming a bit frustrating.
I have some questions:-
1. Are the classic Wolfson based DACs still available in an outboard / standalone version?
2. Is there a standalone DAC out there that comes very close or is identical to the Wolfson DAC?
3. Is there a way to turn the iPod into a standalone DAC? - Has anyone managed to do that?
I love the efficiency of Spotify Connect but I want to maintain the sound signature of the iPod Touch Gen4. Just to clarify, the EQ on my iPod has been deactivated.
To enjoy music, I have to physically copy the music files on my iPod which is becoming a bit frustrating.
1. They are out there in one form or another but I don't think many would use the codec in the ipod.
2. See 1.
3. This modifies the output but I suppose once you have access to the codec you have access to the digital audio data.
2. See 1.
3. This modifies the output but I suppose once you have access to the codec you have access to the digital audio data.
Any standalone (outboard) DAC units that incorporated the Wolfson WM8975 and are still available in the used-market or on eBay?
Last of the Wolfsons: $8 Apple Dongle
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Lightn...d=1694404811&sprefix=apple+dac,aps,198&sr=8-3
https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Lightn...d=1694404811&sprefix=apple+dac,aps,198&sr=8-3
The Dacmagic uses the WM8742. I have a iPod Touch Gen 4 (A1367) and had a Dacmagic 100 in the past but can't comment on sound comparisons as they had different uses. One of my players would not play nice with the Dacmagic 100.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/no-sound-yamaha-cd-s700-to-dacmagic-100.273825/
The best I had with a Wolfson DAC was the Cambridge CXN which was a stunning bit of gear and used a WM8740.
However, it is my understanding that the DAC is only a part of the sonics as implementation, filtering and the analogue stage to the output contributes to the final sound. It is possible your docking station is having an influence on the sound to make it more pleasing to the ears. I have a micro system with a docking station and also a 32 pin to 3.5mm connector (by-passes iPod internal amp) which I can connect to amps but have never compared the sound.
https://www.diyaudio.com/community/threads/no-sound-yamaha-cd-s700-to-dacmagic-100.273825/
The best I had with a Wolfson DAC was the Cambridge CXN which was a stunning bit of gear and used a WM8740.
However, it is my understanding that the DAC is only a part of the sonics as implementation, filtering and the analogue stage to the output contributes to the final sound. It is possible your docking station is having an influence on the sound to make it more pleasing to the ears. I have a micro system with a docking station and also a 32 pin to 3.5mm connector (by-passes iPod internal amp) which I can connect to amps but have never compared the sound.
I'm actually using a simple Onkyo dock which is connected to my processor via RCA. Hence, the system is using the DAC in the iPod which sounds really good. I've tried connecting the iPod to my processor via USB which then engages the much more sophisticated DACs in my processor. However, the iPod via the analogue interface sounds way better. Refer to the pics of my dock...
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If that dock is a DS-A1 then there is no active stage per the service manual and seems to have a few passive parts in the signal path. Yours shows 12VDC input where the service manual shows 5VDC so there must be some variations for different locations.
With my iPod I used to use it with a headphone amp and there was quite a difference in sonics using the headphone output vs the 32 pin output via a FIIO connector which was far superior.
With my iPod I used to use it with a headphone amp and there was quite a difference in sonics using the headphone output vs the 32 pin output via a FIIO connector which was far superior.
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I have a Cambridge Audiio CD651 cd player which uses two WM8740s in balanced configuration.
Thanks @adason - very useful and enlightening information.
I know there are so many good DACs out there and I'm sure the current generation ones have been improved a lot. I read a lot of good things by SMSL and Topping - they both seem to use Cirrus Logic chips, the company that acquired Wolfson. However, I've not had the opportunity to use these and make comparisons.
I absolutely love the sound of my iPod that uses the Wolfson chip more than the much higher-end Cirrus chips in my pre-amp processor. My processor has Twin Cirrus 32-bit dual-core DSP processors and provide 192 kHz audio performance.
I'm not sure why this method sounds so good. I'm using the Onkyo DS-A1X docking station that is powered and connected to my pre-amp via analogue (RCA). The EQ on my iPod has been deactivated.
Just checked, it's actually a DS-A1X - it is designed to offer remote control ability with a compatible Onkyo receiver but I don't use any of that. I'm not sure about the voltage specification of the dock but it is powered and enabled the iPod Dock to be charged when it is placed in the dock. I'm sure the function of the dock is just to provide an analogue (RCA) interface so it can be plugged into a processor or amp. I am not 100% sure but this means that the DAC in my pre-amp (Sherbourn PT-7030) is being bypassed.
When I play music via Spotify Connect running on an NVIDIA Shield 2017 that is connected to my pre-pro via HDMI, it engages the internal DACs of the per-pro - this sounds flat and uninteresting, the high's become a bit more detailed. When I play music from my iPOD/Dock - it sounds fantastic, dynamic and so much more engaging.
I wish I could download the Spotify app on my iPod so it acts as a connect device, that would allow me to stream all my music via the iPod DAC. I've written to the Spotify community but no response yet.
As it's RCA output only the DAC in your pre-amp would not be used.
I know nothing about Spotify and the NVIDIA Shield which I believe is prioritized for video etc. For that use the Cambridge CXN (not cheap) should work well and also the MXN10 (cheaper) but uses a ESS SABRE DAC. I'm sure there is a long list of streamers that would do the job better than the NVIDIA.
Trouble with the iPod G4 is that it runs iOS 6.1.6 which is no longer supported.
I know nothing about Spotify and the NVIDIA Shield which I believe is prioritized for video etc. For that use the Cambridge CXN (not cheap) should work well and also the MXN10 (cheaper) but uses a ESS SABRE DAC. I'm sure there is a long list of streamers that would do the job better than the NVIDIA.
Trouble with the iPod G4 is that it runs iOS 6.1.6 which is no longer supported.