USB Connection options for DAC

[gobble]

Planning for iFi Audio Zen DAC (https://www.headphonezone.in/collections/beginner-audiophile-amps-dacs/products/ifi-audio-zen-dac)

Can you please help with some options for connecting to a MacBook/iPhone? (MacBook - Thunderbolt/USB-C ports, iPhone - Lightening)
Put in another way, what are best ways to get digital output from MacBook and iPhone in general?

Some options after searching.

Option #1
Cable: USB-C to USB-A (Female):-

iFi Audio - Audiophile OTG Cable

iFi Audio Audiophile OTG Cable: Shop for Headphone Accessories like earphone cases, headphone stands, cables online at the best prices in India.

www.headphonezone.in

USB-A to USB-B:-

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B00NH142KI/ref=twister_B0151HOG74?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Or

iFi Audio - Mercury 3.0

iFi Audio - Mercury 3.0: Shop for Headphone Accessories like earphone cases, headphone stands, cables online at the best prices in India. Get Best Deals on Headphones and Earphones Accessories. Enjoy expert advice from our Headphone Gurus. Avail Free Express Shipping, Cash on Delivery, & EMI.

www.headphonezone.in

Which is rather very expensive considering the DAC price.

What is the rest of your system? Ifi audio usb noise suppressor is recommended - you can use other 3rd party cable with that.

 

[Mrli17T]

Have anyone used sound foundation usb cable available in hifimart?
If no other cheaper option I need to go with this only.

Reference Grade AuSF USB Cable MK2

The Reference grade AuSF USB cable is a High Performance, High Speed, type A-B Reference Grade AuSF USB Cable - The Reference grade AuSF USB cable is a High Performance, High Speed, type A-B A flexible cable with dual screens for the best RF pick

hifimart.com

 

[Rockfella]

And that’s where the challenge is. As most entry level to midrange DACs (costing till 70-80K inr ) do not have good USB implementation. You’ll get many high end DAC owners talking about this in the forum.

What you're saying might be the case years ago, things have changed now.

 

[Bloom@83]

What you're saying might be the case years ago, things have changed now.

Ok then please give examples of DACs between 20-25K having great USB implementation.

 

[Amit.S]

I have a Topping D90 and have faced/heard/felt no issues with the USB out from my PC using just an Amazon Basics USB A to B cable. I am no expert but all I hear is a damn black background, no noise, no disturbance what so ever. Had a Topping DX3 pro earlier and had no issues on that either.
I am sure there are benefits to be had, but that comes if I face issues. So far none, so never experimented with this side of business.

 

[Mrli17T]

I bought the cable from hifimart and connected iPad with dac. Now it’s recognised by dac and I could play my music in iTunes. The sound quality is very good and almost equals to CD quality. Now my CD hunt is postponed indefinitely(hopefully ).

Also, the old cable is again started to working fine with PC. I re-checked couple of times and it worked all the time. Looks like it got resolved itself

 

[Bloom@83]

I bought the cable from hifimart and connected iPad with dac. Now it’s recognised by dac and I could play my music in iTunes. The sound quality is very good and almost equals to CD quality. Now my CD hunt is postponed indefinitely(hopefully ).

Also, the old cable is again started to working fine with PC. I re-checked couple of times and it worked all the time. Looks like it got resolved itself

Which cable ?

 

[Mrli17T]

Which cable ?

This one.

Reference Grade AuSF USB Cable MK2

The Reference grade AuSF USB cable is a High Performance, High Speed, type A-B Reference Grade AuSF USB Cable - The Reference grade AuSF USB cable is a High Performance, High Speed, type A-B A flexible cable with dual screens for the best RF pick

hifimart.com

 

[Bloom@83]

This one.

Reference Grade AuSF USB Cable MK2

The Reference grade AuSF USB cable is a High Performance, High Speed, type A-B Reference Grade AuSF USB Cable - The Reference grade AuSF USB cable is a High Performance, High Speed, type A-B A flexible cable with dual screens for the best RF pick

hifimart.com

Hi

How are you using this cable to connect to iPad ? iPad had only lightning (Type C ) connect.....

 

[Mrli17T]

I’m using Apple’s camera connection kit (cck) for that. It has lightning cable at one end and usb female port and charging port at the other end.

I’ve connected the usb audio cable to the USB port of cck and connected the lightning to iPad.

so, iPad >> cck >> usb audio cable >> dac

 

[Bloom@83]

I’m using Apple’s camera connection kit (cck) for that. It has lightning cable at one end and usb female port and charging port at the other end.

I’ve connected the usb audio cable to the USB port of cck and connected the lightning to iPad.

so, iPad >> cck >> usb audio cable >> dac

Understood. You are streaming ALAC or lossy files via this method ?

If lossy files like in Spotify premium , can you compare this mode of connection vs Bluetooth connection ? I use BT with a Yamaha streamer and quality is respectable, nothing outstanding but okay (given streaming is my third option after vinyls and CDs ).

 

[Mrli17T]

I’m playing through iTunes so mostly it will be AAC. I don’t have any streamers. But from what I read in other threads streaming will send less noise than usb. This is the case for PC but iPad sends no/less noise.

 

[ajaipuriyar]

Good part about using iPad with CCK as streamer or transport is that it skips the iPad’s internal dac. Also being battery powered, it skips the challenges with noisy power supply.

The iPad can be used both by Spotify and roon as a streamer with your iPhone acting as a remote.

 

[drkrack]

I Tried Connecting Without the Cable With USB A-B adapter and IPurifier 3 (USB B female to USB B Male) , Details were much better and Vocals quite denser, I am liking it better than the Cable.
Anyone tried such a tweak?

 

[Olmcdonald]

Because usb implementation is very poor in most entry level to mid priced (60-70k) DACs.
You’ll get better SQ through Coaxial or Optical.

This simply is not true. USB provides bit perfect data stream. Compare DAC output specs. USB is always best.