I phone to AVR help

[jobrewer1983]

HDMI cable out from phone to receiver?

I guess what I am wondering is if I go out usb from phone to a some brand of external box and from that output either digital coax out or optical. to my receiver will that device affect anything or will it act as mostly a pass thru device. I want to know what My internal dac is capable of not the device what's in front of it.

I hope you understand what I mean.

I do, and have been to this rodeo a few times.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XDUOO-XQ-5...122434?hash=item3b3a5b25c2:g:oLMAAOSwlXddm1PO

I ran many different DAP's (Digital audio players) over the years, have a few threads up on them now. I have converted the Zune and iPod to SSD's, and have been playing with different cell phones from the iPhone 5 to the X.

I don't know how the path is set up on that AVR. As @swechsler stated above, your other inputs may be all digital and not able to access the DAC in the actual receiver.

you may want to check the manual.

I know the coaxial and the optical are digital inputs, I'd look into the xDuoo myself. I just ordered one just now to try it out. I can let you know when it arrives if its any good.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XDUOO-XQ-5...122434?hash=item3b3a5b25c2:g:oLMAAOSwlXddm1PO


The reason I keep suggesting the BLT2 and xDuoo is the fact that they do not color the sound stage, the BLT2 sends a strong signal as well, you get good output with that device.

Now if you ONLY want to use the DAC in your receiver, I would look at the manual and see what inputs you have that will allow you to access the onboard DAC. Than use those inputs.

For me I use dedicated players and my phone, I currently am using the BLT2 with the optical output, I have not tired the coaxial but would assume it would sound good.

Another question for you,

what service are you using to stream? Spotify, or are you using Hi-Res files like FLAC or WAV?

 

[n8dogg]

I have asked this question before but I got conflicting answers, and I think it's somewhat related to this thread. Other members told me that the output from the lightning port is digital. So when I listen to my cheap old earbuds (which obviously require analog) using this 3.5mm to lightning connector...this lil' thing has a DAC built in? I find that hard to believe, but I'm no expert.

 

[NH-MAN]

hmm, since the iPhone apparently has USB host capability, you could try one of the inexpensive USB DACs that also have an optical output. I use one of those to send audio to an AVR from my desktop PC. Compatibility could be an issue, though.

Something like this, maybe.

this to my receiver

 

[swechsler]

I have asked this question before but I got conflicting answers, and I think it's somewhat related to this thread. Other members told me that the output from the lightning port is digital. So when I listen to my cheap old earbuds (which obviously require analog) using this 3.5mm to lightning connector...this lil' thing has a DAC built in? I find that hard to believe, but I'm no expert.

Assuming by this lil' thing you mean the cable, then no, it doesn't, the DAC is built into the iPhone, and is what the OP was complaining about (the quality not being up to par compared with his old iPhone).

 

[NH-MAN]

I have asked this question before but I got conflicting answers, and I think it's somewhat related to this thread. Other members told me that the output from the lightning port is digital. So when I listen to my cheap old earbuds (which obviously require analog) using this 3.5mm to lightning connector...this lil' thing has a DAC built in? I find that hard to believe, but I'm no expert.
View attachment 1691343

The built in dac in the phone converts the signal to analogue

 

[swechsler]

this to my receiver

That should work, provided that you can get audio over HDMI while using an audio-only app. I honestly don't know the answer to that.

 

[NH-MAN]

Now if you ONLY want to use the DAC in your receiver, I would look at the manual and see what inputs you have that will allow you to access the onboard DAC. Than use those inputs.

If you look on the back of my receiver the HDMI inputs are "assignable" I believe from fumbling thru the manual you can tell them what they are looking for.

 

[swechsler]

I don't know how the path is set up on that AVR. As @swechsler stated above, your other inputs may be all digital and not able to access the DAC in the actual receiver.

That's not what I meant to say. My meaning was that the iPhone doesn't have a native S/PDIF output, so you need some sort of a protocol converter. A passive cable (like how the headphone adapter works) isn't going to do it. The OP's AVR has an assortment of analog and digital inputs besides HDMI.

 

[n8dogg]

That's what I figured, that the lightning port carries an analog signal (in addition to digital?) The reason I was confused is because post #42 here stated that lightning is 100% digital.

 

[NH-MAN]

I dont know if this helps for the HDMI connector

 

[jobrewer1983]

The built in dac in the phone converts the signal to analogue

Right, but using Bluetooth will allow you to send a digital signal, from there you can tie into the DAC on your amp.

I know I keep pushing BT, but that's only because the quality is there now, if you want to use a different cables, and adaptors you will need a way to convert the Analog signal from the actual phone, back to a digital signal, than to the receiver to be again converted to analog.

Good luck on the work, let us know what you end up doing.

 

[jobrewer1983]

That's what I figured, that the lightning port carries an analog signal (in addition to digital?) The reason I was confused is because post #42 here stated that lightning is 100% digital.

it may carry it, but how do you make the iPhone 8 send a digital signal?

 

[jobrewer1983]

That's not what I meant to say. My meaning was that the iPhone doesn't have a native S/PDIF output, so you need some sort of a protocol converter. A passive cable (like how the headphone adapter works) isn't going to do it. The OP's AVR has an assortment of analog and digital inputs besides HDMI.

My mistake, that's what it looked like you were saying. I see now what you mean.

 

[NH-MAN]

That's not what I meant to say. My meaning was that the iPhone doesn't have a native S/PDIF output, so you need some sort of a protocol converter. A passive cable (like how the headphone adapter works) isn't going to do it. The OP's AVR has an assortment of analog and digital inputs besides HDMI.

Gotcha That is what i was wondering. I guess I will need a box to convert to digital coax out to receiver. I was hoping I could just go to the HDMI from my phone but if its not the right protocol I guess not. Or I was hoping there was a phone to digital coax cable but I guess not.

 

[NH-MAN]

Am I correct that if I had a newer receiver with a USB input you can do what I was hoping?

 

[NH-MAN]

You asked about how to do this, and I told you how I do it. You can use whatever DAC you want vs my 'cheap' one (which gets great reviews here on AK, BTW) or the other solution which gives you an optical and digital output allowing you to use the DAC in your receiver (posted below). That is the point.

I have another DAC that has USB inputs and optical, coaxial, and analog outputs. That would work if you really want to use the DAC in your receiver since it basically converts USB audio to optical / coaxial. All this is from Amazon, and I can give more details if needed.​

I apologize if I poo poo'd your idea I was just not wanting to add another component and then be wondering what "that" is doing to my signal

Example; wondering if I can do better all the time.

 

[imral3]

I second the Chromecast AUDIO device with mini-toslink to toslink cable into your receiver. Then your phone becomes a wireless remote. What music source(s) will you be playing via the iPhone?

 

[swechsler]

Am I correct that if I had a newer receiver with a USB input you can do what I was hoping?

I believe that if you use the USB connection, it's basically using the iPhone as a storage device, which means all control is done through the receiver (so if you want to disconnect your phone from the receiver and continue listening with headphones, this won't work the way you want it).

 

[swechsler]

That's what I figured, that the lightning port carries an analog signal (in addition to digital?) The reason I was confused is because post #42 here stated that lightning is 100% digital.

The signals that the Lightning port carries change based on what's connected to it. That's how they can get away with only 8 pins.

 

[David_NC]

Am I correct that if I had a newer receiver with a USB input you can do what I was hoping?

Correct. My Denon AVR-X4000 can use the front-panel USB input and allows for the iDevice to be controlled by the device or the Denon remote. It has on-screen display of content as well, though its use isn't required. I can also use the builtin Airplay feature.
From studies I've read, HDMI is the worst connection for audio quality due to some sort of interference it introduces. I don't have the links handy, but I'm sure I can find them.