Bluetooth DAC use

[phrehdd]

Has anyone use a Bluetooth DAC to connect their headphones to their iPhone or iPad or Mac? It seems to be that use of such devices may give notably better sound than say a bluetooth headphone or earpiece.

 

[smirking]

I use one sometimes, but the audio out on the recent vintage of MBPs make DACs a lot less necessary unless you really need to drive some cans that need a lot of power. It's a slight improvement on my MBP sound and a significant step up from the sound of my iPhone X.

The Radsone ES100mk2 is inexpensive and amazingly good for at this price point.

ES100, Hi-Res Bluetooth Receiver | Radsone

EarStudio: 24bit Portable High-Resolution Bluetooth Receiver/USB DAC/Headphone Amp. The Easiest Way to Enjoy High Quality Sound. Radsone.

www.radsone.com

 

[phrehdd]

I use one sometimes, but the audio out on the recent vintage of MBPs make DACs a lot less necessary unless you really need to drive some cans that need a lot of power. It's a slight improvement on my MBP sound and a significant step up from the sound of my iPhone X.

The Radsone ES100mk2 is inexpensive and amazingly good for at this price point.

ES100, Hi-Res Bluetooth Receiver | Radsone

EarStudio: 24bit Portable High-Resolution Bluetooth Receiver/USB DAC/Headphone Amp. The Easiest Way to Enjoy High Quality Sound. Radsone.

www.radsone.com

I will most likely be using a DAC with MBP mid 2015, Samsung S8+ phone, and iPad Pro (latest model).

Could you, if you please, give your thoughts and/or experience on the following -

I have a few head sets (cans and in ear) that have in line mics. Any way to get the ES100 to bypass their own so I could use those in line mic/volume/control or must I use the ES100's?

I gather the MBP and iPad will be matched with AAC (or??) and the Samsung with LDAC. This should not be a problem should it? Any audio file format that is problematic matching to a codec?

My original thought was to simply get a bluetooth in ear but the option for the external bluetooth DAC seems to be logically a better choice for superior sound. Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[smirking]

I have a few head sets (cans and in ear) that have in line mics. Any way to get the ES100 to bypass their own so I could use those in line mic/volume/control or must I use the ES100's?

I don't know about this one. The only thing I can relay to you is that the ES100 does have a built-in mic, but its main purpose is to allow you to hear ambient noise.

I gather the MBP and iPad will be matched with AAC (or??) and the Samsung with LDAC. This should not be a problem should it? Any audio file format that is problematic matching to a codec?

I don't know if it has any problems with some codecs, but it handles a bunch of them. You can lookup all the codecs they support on their website. From my iPhone app, it allows me to choose between: SBC, LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD.

My original thought was to simply get a bluetooth in ear but the option for the external bluetooth DAC seems to be logically a better choice for superior sound.

Yeah, I think a Bluetooth DAC gives you more flexibility so long as you don't need the convenience of true wireless where you have no wires at all. I got it so I could wear my headphones wirelessly and also so I could play music through my bookshelf speakers wirelessly.

The ES100 is an amazingly capable budget DAC. I didn't expect the sound to be so good at an under $100 price point. I got it primarily for the wireless capabilities. The only negative I can say about it is that it's not a tactile device. It's really hard to control unless you're looking at it. It also feels flimsy. I haven't heard of any problems of it breaking down, but it's not something you can toss around.

 

[phrehdd]

I don't know about this one. The only thing I can relay to you is that the ES100 does have a built-in mic, but its main purpose is to allow you to hear ambient noise.



I don't know if it has any problems with some codecs, but it handles a bunch of them. You can lookup all the codecs they support on their website. From my iPhone app, it allows me to choose between: SBC, LDAC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD.



Yeah, I think a Bluetooth DAC gives you more flexibility so long as you don't need the convenience of true wireless where you have no wires at all. I got it so I could wear my headphones wirelessly and also so I could play music through my bookshelf speakers wirelessly.

The ES100 is an amazingly capable budget DAC. I didn't expect the sound to be so good at an under $100 price point. I got it primarily for the wireless capabilities. The only negative I can say about it is that it's not a tactile device. It's really hard to control unless you're looking at it. It also feels flimsy. I haven't heard of any problems of it breaking down, but it's not something you can toss around.

Thanks for your input and sharing your experience. Not too many people here are in the realm of going to this depth to get 'connected' with their equipment.