nDAC not receiving Qobuz Hi-Res audio from iPad
Posted by: pedimp on 07 February 2016
The dialogue I had with Naim technical support on this subject might interest a wider audience. See e-mails below.
I think it's a pity that nDac doesn't offer this possibility, because, despite having been announced as "The First S/PDIF Jitter-Free DAC", nDac sounds evidently better whan receiving audio from USB connections in comparison to (bit-transparent) S/PDIF connections.
Peter Dimpflmeier <pedimp@gmail.com>
Jan 6
to mbx_Sales
I have a Naim DAC (serial number 290173) updated to the latest firmware version (4.11.8).
My favourite way of using it is the Qobuz Cd-quality FLAC streaming played on iPad connected to the nDAC's USB input via lightning adapter.
Unluckily, this way the Qobuz Hi-Res streaming (up to 24/192) doesn't work: the Hi-Res indicator on the nDAC doesn't light. I have already contacted Qobuz, they claim that iPad Hi-Res USB output works on several DACs, but not on the Naim DAC.
I am very disappointed about this, because I like the sound of the USB connection better than any (even costly) SPDIF connection, and would like to avoid using USB to SPDIF bridges.
I strongly hope that a new firmware version for the nDac may overcome this limit!
mbx_Sales <sales@naimaudio.com>
Jan 6
to me
Hi Peter,
Although we are aware of people using their iPhones and iPads in this way with the Naim DAC it is not something that we officially support and as such it is not something that we plan to enhance or extend.
Best Regards
Phil Harris
Peter Dimpflmeier <pedimp@gmail.com>
Jan 6
to mbx_Sales
Dear Mr Harris,
there must be some misunderstanding.
Page 1 of the Naim DAC Reference Manual explicitly highlights and stresses that it is "Made for iPod and iPhone".
A curious way of "not officially supporting"...
mbx_Sales
Jan 6
to me
Hi Peter,
The “Made for iPod and iPhone” certification from Apple covered playback from the Apple device using the Apple music player application only – not third party applications. Third party applications do not form part of the “Made for iPod and iPhone” certification and as such they are not (and have never been) guaranteed to work as a digital source via USB – hence digital audio output from third party applications such as Quobuz / TIDAL / Spotify etc. could never be listed as officially supported.
Provision for the lightning equipped Apple devices are not included in the original “Made for iPod and iPhone” certification, however at this time Apple do maintain backwards support in those devices but the “Made for iPod and iPhone” certification has been superseded / revised now as Apple move towards an “untethered” world which includes a great deal of update to direct / tethered playback support (which you can read as “Apple may decide to remove support for this legacy functionality from currently supported devices as they see fit in the future&rdquo
.
Best Regards
Phil Harris
Peter Dimpflmeier <pedimp@gmail.com>
Jan 6
to mbx_Sales
Hi Phil,
thanks for your detailed (though sad!) answer.
Which is the Naim recommended way to reproduce Qobuz streaming with the nDAC?
mbx_Sales
Jan 7
to me
Hi Peter,
As the Naim DAC has S/PDIF inputs then our suggestion would be to take an S/PDIF output from a device that can access the audio that you wish to listen to and feed that into the DAC.
Best Regards
Phil Harris