Unless I am very much mistaken, an iPad is a computer, albeit a computer in a very slimline case!.
Fair point. We all hope that AM will find a way to make streaming hi-res files more like Tidal Connect Or Roon RAAT.
2 Likes
Interesting. Iām wouldnāt know how to measure electric noise, so Iām happy with being proven wrong. I thought that the iPad running on battery would produce less electric noise.
Quite frankly, I donāt care very much whoās in the lead re streaming. I want a product that works for me. People prefer one thing to the other for all sorts of reasons. I listen to classical music, so for me booklets are very important. Thatās why Iāve been with Qobuz for many years (and, clearly, because of Roon integration). I was a Primephonic subscriber, tried out Idagio, but for diverse reasons the services didnāt entirely satisfy me.
My problem is not with Roon, but with Qobuz ā some labels missing and, increasingly for me anyway, missing tracks. Thatās why I hope that Apple will perfect Primephonic (including booklets), so I could end my subscription to Qobuz. For the time being, though, Qobuz + Roon works best for me (which, of course, is all relative).
Tidal, Spotify, Amazon Music, or Google donāt work for me, again for various reasons. I might not like their UI, or the sound quality, or ā¦
All this is obviously a matter of personal preferences, and Iām happy to have all those options and make the best choice for my needs.
5 Likes
Yep, thatās what I thought and to be fair I am talking about the analogue output as particularly badly behaved. It occasionally used to āhumā in tune with my use of a wireless trackball mouse. Iām not anti-Apple, but I think that they trade on reputation (early MIDI support, which was cool) some as been particularly noise-free or particularly well suited to audio.
I suspect the potential advantage of a battery psu is trumped by lots of RF noisy components in a small space.
For the iPad Pro; I have it docked on the Magic Keyboard, using the keyboardās pass-through port for constant charging, while using its own USB-C port to go out to the DAC.
2 Likes
I guess one benefit with how it works right now is it forces you to do more album listening (instead of changing tracks/playlists/albums endlessly) and forces you to do exercise to get up off the couch to walk to the HiFi rack to change albums/playlists etc.
Like the old CD player and turntable days 
3 Likes
Complete opposite if you ask Rob Watts of Chord
AC/mains RF noise is the worst according to Rob and the best USB source is a battery powered one that is completely disconnected from AC.
Whatever RF a powerbank or iPad or phone source will output, his DACs are designed to filter.
He calls mains RF a fungus and difficult to filter. It goes everywhere.
Full post:
So the potential disadvantage of ānoiseā from an iPad/iPhone (not connected to the wall obviously or charging by powerbank) is easily trumped by the absence of mains RF which is a bigger problem.
Other DAC designers may have different ideas of course.
Iāve had some private discussions with a couple other well known DAC designers who are on the same page.
iPad is charging at the wall? Any difference when you unplug it from the charger ?Completely unplugged, not just switching off power at the wall.
1 Like
Iām aware of the theory, although in practice all batteries/supply implementations arenāt created equal.
My example was from experience, not theory, and unplugging the iPad made no difference. Iām too lazy to turn off the socket and just unplug the cable from the tablet. BTW Iām a genuine fan of RW and Chord products, had have read most of what heās posted on HeadFi and elsewhere, but that doesnāt change my experience in reality.
Not for my MoJo/Poly and iPad pro combination when Bluetooth output to the Poly, that produces plenty of chatter, again the iPad is unplugged. Perhaps I have a bad iPad, but the Mac Mini is also a noisy machineā¦
2 Likes
All good. His comments are from measurements not just theory (heās measured phones, laptops, PCs).
But obviously he hasnāt measured every personās system and all the gear on the planet etc.
2 Likes
Not my Mojo connected to my iPhone via USB. RF is horrible and will sell it most likely.
1 Like
Thatās not RF.
2G is still live in the UK but not where I am fortunately.
It was solved with Hugo2 and later DACs.
2 Likes
Whatever it is, it goes bonkers the closer my phone is to the mojo.
Yes known Mojo issue and pain in the a$$ if you live in an area that still has 2G active.
A solved issue with newer products and non-issue if 2G is no longer active (growing number of countries).
Get a Hugo2 and no more problem 
3 Likes
No way I am paying that much for the Hugo
Thanks though for clarifying this for me 
2 Likes
Agreed Mojo was crap when I had it picked up all sorts of crap from my phone. Didnāt keep it long.
Mineās still my most listened to Roon endpoint in truth. 
No offence taken though, I use it wirelessly with a poly as my office/in-house head-fi unit. Itās noise-free and sounds fine. Getting a bit OT for this thread in truth.
3 Likes
Agree. I use Roon or SD card. Sounds fab. Just donāt put a phone next to it but that went for my devialet too!
1 Like
Haha 2G phones next to speakers. Those were the good ol days
My fault!
Back on course
1 Like
Thatās why I bought a Reclining sofa with a USB port, and a wireless charger in the Center console!!! 