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Do I need a DAC for iPod?

I am not up with the latest HiFi standards. My last system was a McIntosh Integrated to Dynaudio speakers, using only a Rotel CD player. I sold the system years ago and I am now looking to buy a less expensive HiFi system. I will likely be buying B&W PM1's and a Roksan Caspian Integrated Amp.

My whole music library now is on our Ipod's and iPad's. What do I need to get music from them? Do I need a DAC? I dont know anything about them. They sound like those line conditioners, whatever they are....they just seem to "clean" the electrical feed to the amp (which I will not be planning on buying).

Thanks for your help
jeff
jeffatus
hotmailjbc
571 posts
 
jeff, go to import settings in itunes. chose a lossless setting i would recommend. it will take more memory but the sound quality is worth it to me at least. then check the box for error correction. this will help with the rip. i chose to use aiff but some people like wav especially if the use computers other than apple. check out some articles in computer audiophile or ilounge about this before you spend hours ripping cds.when buying from itunes there is a way to request 256kbps. it is always easy to compress but no way to add data that isn't there to begin with. good luck john
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
Rip your CDs at either AIFF (Apple's version of WAV) or Apple Lossless (Apple's version of FLAC). I went with Apple Lossless because I couldn't hear any differences, and Apple Lossless is 60% or so smaller than AIFF.

Use error correction as well. It takes a few minutes longer, but is better to my ears.

Save your library on an external hard drive, and buy another one as a backup.

To check what your CDs were ripped at, right click on a track, select "get info," and the first tab should say what bitrate it's stored as. 44.1k is redbook CD.

iTunes downloads are 256k, which aren't full CD quality.
acdoan
8 posts
 
Get the Apple Camera kit for $29.00 and using it as a line out to an external DAC. Done deal. No need for Wadia or Cambridge Audio.
annie_yazbeck
25 posts
 
Get Apple Music Converter for Mac to convert your all Apple music files, Audible books, and other audio files to MP3, FLAC, WAV, AAC, M4A and M4B and then you can transfer them to any device for playback with ease. This software costs $39.95 but you can get it from its Halloween Sales promotion at up to 50% off discount for only $19.95. 
horence
17 posts
 
To iPod music, if you are eager to play it on any non-Apple devices. Maybe you can try to use Apple Music Converter. Since all Apple music are combined with fairplay DRM protection, it can be played on Apple devices only. Now you can use this tool to remove DRM protection and convert music from M4P to MP3, AAC, M4A, M4B, WAV, FLAC, etc at faster speed with lossless quality. You can catch more info on Tuneskit. 
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