iPad with USB-C

I started using an iPad air 4 as a streaming source which has a USB-C connector vs the lightning connector. I' ve connected it to a OWC travel dock E which allows for ethernet and power to the iPad and USB-A output to my DAC. I transitioned from my mac mini because iOS does automatic sample rate switching but MacOS only outputs a fixed setting in the Audio Midi setup. I think the setup sounds better than previous iPad/Pod attempts with the lightning connector and provides compatibility with sample rates above 24/48. As USB-C becomes more and more prevalent I wonder if we might see a USB-C compatible DAC that supplies ethernet and power to enable one cable connection to a streaming source, like the iPad.

 

I think the general consensus in the audiophile world is that power and data need to be split. That said, high end extremely overpriced USB-C cables could represent a who new market for some vendors!

 

Powered hub would be my best bet for best of all worlds.

 

The lightning to usb adaptor into a dac can do more than 24/48, I only have 44, 48, 88, and 96khz tracks, but all are passed through that adaptor to my MScaler. I do also like that iOS does auto sample rate switching, you only get that on macOS using hog mode which not every player supports, but I think many do.

 

Ooh silver wires with exotic geometry and solid gold connectors with next gen insulators!