Inside Apple's Lightning Adapter - pictures and DAC details

Interesting to see that natively the DAC can handle bitrates all the way up to 192kHz. Seeing that Apple have specified a DAC which can do this, is this evidence that HD audio is on the way? And even if it is on the way, will there be any noticeable benefit if Apple continue to distribute it (via iTunes) in a lossy format?

Impressive stuff.

MajorFubar wrote:

Interesting to see that natively the DAC can handle bitrates all the way up to 192kHz. Seeing that Apple have specified a DAC which can do this, is this evidence that HD audio is on the way? And even if it is on the way, will there be any noticeable benefit if Apple continue to distribute it (via iTunes) in a lossy format?

I wouldn't necessarily make that leap. Most decent DAC chips these days are specced up to 192 - makes sense, as then they can be used in a wide range of systems, with some 'headroom'...

Incidentally, using the adapter in our in-car audio system has seen a noticeable improvement in sound quality (over the same tracks played on a iPhone 4S with a direct cable connection) - the Wolfson DAC in this £25 unit seems a step up from the iPhone's own

Thanks for the tip Clare that's interesting,I'll have to try one of mine in the car shortly.

Which brings me back to my question - how will a new iPod touch/iPhone with the adapter work with current digital docks, if at all?

Clare Newsome wrote:

MajorFubar wrote:

Interesting to see that natively the DAC can handle bitrates all the way up to 192kHz. Seeing that Apple have specified a DAC which can do this, is this evidence that HD audio is on the way? And even if it is on the way, will there be any noticeable benefit if Apple continue to distribute it (via iTunes) in a lossy format?

I wouldn't necessarily make that leap. Most decent DAC chips these days are specced up to 192 - makes sense, as then they can be used in a wide range of systems, with some 'headroom'...

Incidentally, using the adapter in our in-car audio system has seen a noticeable improvement in sound quality (over the same tracks played on a iPhone 4S with a direct cable connection) - the Wolfson DAC in this £25 unit seems a step up from the iPhone's own

I am also hearing a big improvement using this adaptor on my Teac SR80i ipod dock in the kitchen.

Not only is it way ahead of my old iphone 3gs but interestingly the dab using the iphone 5 & BBC iplayer radio app is actually an improvement on the Teac's own internal dab tuner - I have been really impressed by the overall improvement in sound quality using the adaptor. 

Works fine with my dock (see above) ?

thanks!

Well that explains a lot why my I pad to tv lead does not work any more even with the adapter ! Looks like will have to spend another £30 to get this to work again 

i am having problems with playing music in my car car has standard 30 pin lead which has always worked fine plug in the lead and keeps playing wrong song and no sound maybe should have kept my 4s