iPhone 12 mini Iphone 12/12 mini as good quality audio source?

[Hibi]

Hi!

Does anyone of you know whether implemented DACs in iPhone 12/12 mini are of good quality? I remember that old iPhones especially 4/4S had a very decent quality of in-build DACs that resulted in high audio quality despite lack of support of lossless audio formats. Now I have hi-res audio headphones Sony MDR-1AM2 and I'm thinking about an external DAC for them. Or maybe the sound quality after the launching of apple music lossless will be high without support of additional external device?

 

[one_chunk]

From my understanding, the iPhones without headphone jacks no longer have a built in DAC.

The DAC is built in the 3.5mm to lightning adaptor.

 

[aakshey]

If you’re looking for audiophile grade quality, pretty much anything Apple is crappy sound quality wise. AFAIK 4 probably had better audio than today’s stuff. But you could probably beat the 4 with entry level audiophile grade stuff.

 

[snipr125]

From my understanding, the iPhones without headphone jacks no longer have a built in DAC.

The DAC is built in the 3.5mm to lightning adaptor.

All iPhones without a headphone jack still have DAC chips to play audio out the speakers. You are right though regarding the headphone adaptor which has a cirrus logic DAC chip and amp.

To the OP, if you want high quality high res audio from your IPhone, then get something like the Fiio Q1 mk2 for about £80 (or the just released mk3 version which costs a bit more). This external DAC is made for the iPhone and comes with lightning connector in the box. You will get better dynamic range, instrumental separation, timing, wider sound stage and in combination with your Sony headphones will be music heaven.

 

[DeepIn2U]

There seems to be a decent thread here on the topic.

USB DAC for Hi-Res Lossless

Looks like the DAC sizes being suggested are getting larger. Thought the thread is about portable sized USB DACs for iPhone rather than home stereo DACs or transportable self-powered DACs (doesn't make sense to plug an iPhone to home stereo DACs whereas a headless Mac Mini as the sources makes...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[DeepIn2U]

All iPhones without a headphone jack still have DAC chips to play audio out the speakers. You are right though regarding the headphone adaptor which has a cirrus logic DAC chip and amp.

To the OP, if you want high quality high res audio from your IPhone, then get something like the Fiio Q1 mk2 for about £80 (or the just released mk3 version which costs a bit more). This external DAC is made for the iPhone and comes with lightning connector in the box. You will get better dynamic range, instrumental separation, timing, wider sound stage and in combination with your Sony headphones will be music heaven.

I have to ask, who on EARTH carries around their iPhone plus a DAC as big and thick as an iPhone with them everywhere they go listing to music? Plane flights or at home site but I listen to music all day everyday from my iPhone.

I’d love a very small adapter that’s super tiny though.

 

[McScooby]

I have to ask, who on EARTH carries around their iPhone plus a DAC as big and thick as an iPhone with them everywhere they go listing to music? Plane flights or at home site but I listen to music all day everyday from my iPhone.

I’d love a very small adapter that’s super tiny though.

I'd wager it's pretty much a certainty that will bring out a lightning adapter unlocked for hi-res audio & start selling other brand dacs via the store, they'd be crazy not to.