Experience of External headphone DAC's for Iphone?

[MikeInWimbledon]

Has anyone got any experience (good or bad) of using an external amplifier / DAC on an Iphone 7, or similar?

I'm getting annoyed with the headphone signal reaching my headphones when listening at home or out and about, and I'm wondering whether an external DAC / amplifier would be a sensible upgrade. I know the recordings are good, it's just the iPhone 7 circuitry isn't up to the job of powering proper headphones.

Obviously the specialist Hifi reviews have a "view," on this, but they all "puff" the products, and I'm wondering if anyone here would say "it's worth it" or "don't bother."

 

[gaz_l]

No idea about the DACs, but I recently bought a pair of decent headphones to go with my iPod Touch and the difference is staggering:

https://www.johnlewis.com/sennheise...emote-for-apple-devices/p1919136?colour=Brown

OK, they weren't cheap but they've been a revelation in terms of sound quality. As you're in Wimbledon there's bound to be a John Lewis nearby so why not wander along and have a listen yourself?

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[Darrell]

People with headphones on remind me of these dudes.

 

[gaz_l]

Strictly for home use.. I wouldn't be seen in public with them on!

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

That's Me !!

People with headphones on remind me of these dudes.

View attachment 64156

That's pretty much who the Cybermen were based on. Here's the very first Cyberman from "The Tenth planet" in 1966. "Different times"

 

[Abcan]

I've had a demo of the dragonfly red in richer sounds and thought it sounded excellent but I don't think I'd use it enough to justify paying £170.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Sennheisers

No idea about the DACs, but I recently bought a pair of decent headphones to go with my iPod Touch and the difference is staggering:

https://www.johnlewis.com/sennheise...emote-for-apple-devices/p1919136?colour=Brown

OK, they weren't cheap but they've been a revelation in terms of sound quality. As you're in Wimbledon there's bound to be a John Lewis nearby so why not wander along and have a listen yourself?

Cheers,

Gaz

Yes, I know the Momentums (Momenta?),

I'm using Sennheiser HD650's and Canford modified (BBC specification) HD480ii's. Much better than "normal" head or earphones but both are really calling to connected to a proper amp for proper listening - by which I mean while sipping a glass of the Amber nectar on the sofa, or out and about of a trip somewhere.

I do have Bose noise cancelling earphones for flights and planes, but they're for blocking out / compensating for the outside rumble, what I'm trying to do with a DAC/ Amp is just to reach the quality of sound that's hidden in the recording.

 

[Deleted96908]

Has anyone got any experience (good or bad) of using an external amplifier / DAC on an Iphone 7, or similar?

I use an Apogee Duet - not sure if it's portable enough for you, but great sound quality.

Apogee Duet - 2 IN x 4 OUT USB Audio Interface


Plugs into the lightning port of your iPhone, iPad etc, and can also act as an external DAC, in and out, for your Mac.


Not cheap at around £400 to £500, but worth it in my view.

Seen here taking audio from my iPad and feeding a Cyrus 7 on my office desk

HTH,

Chris

 

[Deleted member 113659]

I use an Apogee Duet - not sure if it's portable enough for you, but great sound quality.

Apogee Duet - 2 IN x 4 OUT USB Audio Interface


Plugs into the lightning port of your iPhone, iPad etc, and can also act as an external DAC, in and out, for your Mac.


Not cheap at around £400 to £500, but worth it in my view.

Seen here taking audio from my iPad and feeding a Cyrus 7 on my office desk

HTH,

Chris

Welcome back old chap.

 

[Deleted96908]

Welcome back old chap.

Well, had I known you were still here Ant