CD quality music from iDevice to processor/amp, no wires, no signal loss!

kaigoss69 · 07-29-2014, 05:34 PM

I've got an Air Enabler on the way, as well as an external USB DAC with "2VRMS" outputs. My goal is to eliminate the intermittent connection cut-outs I still get once in a while with the AEX, and to provide the MS-8 with a stronger input signal. The DAC was recommended to me on another forum. I'll report back once it's installed.

DAC:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

taibanl · 07-31-2014, 12:11 AM

Really wanna hear more about this DAC (in analog output mode)!

kaigoss69 · 07-31-2014, 08:20 PM

So I received the Air Enabler today and was anxious to test it out so I hooked it up in my house using the supplied AC adapter, hooked up the iPhone over WiFi, and started playing some songs from Spotify, listening on my Klipsch cans connected to the DAC's 3.5 mm output. Well, let's just say I am not impressed. The connection dropped twice in 5 minutes, even though the phone was only a few feet away. The music cuts in and out, especially at the beginning of songs, and there is a lot of jitter. Then there is this constant static clicking noise, which is very low in volume, but definitely audible. The noise floor is also unacceptably high. AFurthermore, the lag - when pressing pause or switching songs - is very long, probably 2-4 seconds. The AEX does not have much lag at all, perhaps 1 second max. I have the other USB DAC on order so I will wait until it gets here and test it with the Air Enabler, but my hopes are not very high at this point...disappointed!

kaigoss69 · 08-01-2014, 05:36 PM

Update: Got the DAC today and it too is a huge disappointment. Output volume is much lower than with the DAC that came with the Air Enabler. Can't listen 5 seconds without scratching or a complete drop-out. Very disappointing.

taibanl · 08-01-2014, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

The connection dropped twice in 5 minutes, even though the phone was only a few feet away. The music cuts in and out, especially at the beginning of songs, and there is a lot of jitter.

I don't have this problem - at all. Is it possible you have an iPhone issue since you reported same behavior with AEX?

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Then there is this constant static clicking noise, which is very low in volume, but definitely audible.

I HAVE seen this problem with certain DACs. I returned the UCA202 for this problem. I did not have it with the MUSE DAC (i have another muse model still wrapped that I want to try). I don't know much about DACs but it may be a function of asynchronous vs synchronous.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

The noise floor is also unacceptably high.

I don't have any perceptible noise floor, now with OEM HU, I do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

AFurthermore, the lag - when pressing pause or switching songs - is very long, probably 2-4 seconds.

Firmware v 1.5 is latest and has LESS lag (still some). Contact Qui or hop on the website. Its not the easiest FW update but its workable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Update: Got the DAC today and it too is a huge disappointment. Output volume is much lower than with the DAC that came with the Air Enabler. Can't listen 5 seconds without scratching or a complete drop-out. Very disappointing.

That sucks - I can send you one of my MUSE to try.

EDIT: make sure you reset (via telnet app & commands) the volume from 70 to 90+%. It ships at 70% volume.

Regardless, if you have AEbler issues, contact Qui, he will work with you if its his product f-ing up.

taibanl · 08-23-2014, 04:40 PM

Bump - did you ever do a firmware update as per my response above ^

kaigoss69 · 08-24-2014, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

Bump - did you ever do a firmware update as per my response above ^

Nope, they offered to send me a new unit but I decided to go back to the AEX. Even if a replacement unit had given me a perfect connection, I would not have been able to live with the delay.

taibanl · 08-24-2014, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

Bump - did you ever do a firmware update as per my response above ^

Nope, they offered to send me a new unit but I decided to go back to the AEX. Even if a replacement unit had given me a perfect connection, I would not have been able to live with the delay.

As i said there is very little delay on new FW. HUGE difference. Oh well. Sorry if i steered you wrong.

Sample · 08-24-2014, 11:40 PM

I came across this Sabrent Wifi Audio Receiver today. Powered by usb, outputs via 3.5mm, stream to it with airplay or dlna, and is only $30. I havent tried it, but the reviews seem ok. http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Receiv...dp/B00L26YDA4/

kaigoss69 · 08-26-2014, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taibanl

As i said there is very little delay on new FW. HUGE difference. Oh well. Sorry if i steered you wrong.

No problem, it was worth a try. BTW, I was not happy with the DAC either, since its output was lower than the one I'm using now. I'm actually pretty happy with my AEX and FiiO DAC!

Bicax · 08-26-2014, 07:24 PM

Kai, have you tried the FiiO X5? http://www.whathifi.com/fiio/x5/review

I'm amazed at the difference in sound quality between 16bit and 24bit tracks. I thought it wouldn't matter in a moving car, but you can really hear the difference.

I've been thinking about getting a FiiO X5 and plugging it directly to my Mosconi 6to8. The 64Gb on my SGS4 aren't enough to start storing hd music, and on top of that I'm having bluetooth connectivity issues with my phone (I get a frying sound when streaming music on every device I've tried - no comment).

The problem being that I would need to run a cable all the way from the trunk to the front to install the FiiO in a handy place as you can't control it via BT/WiFi I believe.

07-29-2014, 05:34 PM	#89
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	I've got an Air Enabler on the way, as well as an external USB DAC with "2VRMS" outputs. My goal is to eliminate the intermittent connection cut-outs I still get once in a while with the AEX, and to provide the MS-8 with a stronger input signal. The DAC was recommended to me on another forum. I'll report back once it's installed. DAC: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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07-31-2014, 12:11 AM	#90
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	Really wanna hear more about this DAC (in analog output mode)!
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07-31-2014, 08:20 PM	#91
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	So I received the Air Enabler today and was anxious to test it out so I hooked it up in my house using the supplied AC adapter, hooked up the iPhone over WiFi, and started playing some songs from Spotify, listening on my Klipsch cans connected to the DAC's 3.5 mm output. Well, let's just say I am not impressed. The connection dropped twice in 5 minutes, even though the phone was only a few feet away. The music cuts in and out, especially at the beginning of songs, and there is a lot of jitter. Then there is this constant static clicking noise, which is very low in volume, but definitely audible. The noise floor is also unacceptably high. AFurthermore, the lag - when pressing pause or switching songs - is very long, probably 2-4 seconds. The AEX does not have much lag at all, perhaps 1 second max. I have the other USB DAC on order so I will wait until it gets here and test it with the Air Enabler, but my hopes are not very high at this point...disappointed! __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2014, 05:36 PM	#92
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	Update: Got the DAC today and it too is a huge disappointment. Output volume is much lower than with the DAC that came with the Air Enabler. Can't listen 5 seconds without scratching or a complete drop-out. Very disappointing. __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-23-2014, 04:40 PM	#94
taibanl Brigadier General 281 Rep 4,121 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NA iTrader: (4)	Bump - did you ever do a firmware update as per my response above ^
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08-24-2014, 11:40 PM	#97
Sample Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 224 Posts Drives: E90 335i/G05 X5 xDrive40i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (6)	I came across this Sabrent Wifi Audio Receiver today. Powered by usb, outputs via 3.5mm, stream to it with airplay or dlna, and is only $30. I havent tried it, but the reviews seem ok. http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Receiv...dp/B00L26YDA4/
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-26-2014, 07:24 PM	#99
Bicax Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 206 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 335d (E91) Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Barcelona iTrader: (0)	Kai, have you tried the FiiO X5? http://www.whathifi.com/fiio/x5/review I'm amazed at the difference in sound quality between 16bit and 24bit tracks. I thought it wouldn't matter in a moving car, but you can really hear the difference. I've been thinking about getting a FiiO X5 and plugging it directly to my Mosconi 6to8. The 64Gb on my SGS4 aren't enough to start storing hd music, and on top of that I'm having bluetooth connectivity issues with my phone (I get a frying sound when streaming music on every device I've tried - no comment). The problem being that I would need to run a cable all the way from the trunk to the front to install the FiiO in a handy place as you can't control it via BT/WiFi I believe.
	Appreciate 0 Quote