Tidal Question - Am I streaming via WiFi

With a Naim streamer, Tidal is routed directly to it, not via your iPad. If you are using the Tidal iOS app, I would imagine this is not the case with your AirDAC. You could test this by turning off your iPad while Tidal is playing - Tidal will then cut out. 

You are correct - when I power down, the music stops .  This doesn’t seem the best way to do things.  Dependent on my WiFi connections and also running down the battery in my iPad.

I have just set up the desktop TIDAL app, so this overcomes this drawback, but I don’t see a way to control this remotely.  (Unlike, say Apple Music desktop app).  So this loses the convenience....

I also need to route the PC sound to the AirDAC, as the desktop App doesn’t seem to see Airplay directly. 

Given the rest of your system, an ND555 would be the best way to solve this problem!

ChrisSU posted:

Given the rest of your system, an ND555 would be the best way to solve this problem!

I can see the logic of that. Doesn’t the sound quality of Tidal played this way rather disappoint? Of course, I recognise that may be irrelevant if just using to sample things, while even played from a better device it might not sound as good as CD or streamed from a local source.

ChrisSU posted:

Given the rest of your system, an ND555 would be the best way to solve this problem!

Or maybe a Linn Klimax Katalyst.

Yes, I have mostly been using CD and only using Spotify to identify new music to purchase on CD.  I thought I would give Tidal HiFi a go.

I had been waiting for a 500 series streamer and am in no hurry given funds.  However, I have limited rack space given the active setup and a one box solution sounds attractive.  Especially the Klimax, which would sit nicely on the top - although I do find few discussions about it on this forum.

The AirDAC will need to suffice for a while, so looking to find the easiest way to run it (without using WiFi if possible).

It seems to me that the AirDAC is the wrong product for the job here (perhaps the clue is in the name!?). There are lots and lots of other low cost options you could use, and which would give you the functionality you are looking for while you wait for an ND555. For example, a Sonos Connect or Yamaha WXC-50, would all allow you to stream over a wired connection using an iOS app for control.

Agreed, it is probably not ideal.  It does have a wired connection though.  I bought it chiefly because it supported Airplay and in facts it works quite well with Apple Music (holding ripped CDs).  In this setup, you can use the iPad to control the PC and stream wired from there.