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Is it true that off brand 30 pin to Lightning adapters won't play music?
- Thread starter TH55
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True. The Apple version has a built in digital to analog converter that allows the audio playback. That's part of why it's so expensive.
Ahh so will it sound worse than if the cord/device I was hooking it up to was lightning to begin with?
No. The Lightning port is pure digital. There is no analog video or audio like the original 30 pin dock connector. It's up to 3rd party devices to provide that support. It makes sense. I would rather feed the digital to an external processor anyway for audio or video output.
Does this one have the converter that allows for audio playback?
http://www.wholesale-laptop-parts.org/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_18&products_id=263
If not are there any off brand adapters of this type that will? I want it in black bc the cord I'm hooking it to in my car is black.
Is it true that off brand 30 pin to Lightning adapters won't play music?
If you are looking for a way to play audio from the lightning connector to your car radio, this works well:
http://store.griffintechnology.com/...ipod-ipad-and-iphone-with-lightning-connector
If it's just a Lightning with audio D/A converter, this'll work. I can't vouch for the sound quality of the D/A converter, though it's about $15.00:
http://www.i-adapters.com/products/lightning-adapter-with-audio
If you are looking for a way to play audio from the lightning connector to your car radio, this works well:
http://store.griffintechnology.com/...ipod-ipad-and-iphone-with-lightning-connector
If it's just a Lightning with audio D/A converter, this'll work. I can't vouch for the sound quality of the D/A converter, though it's about $15.00:
http://www.i-adapters.com/products/lightning-adapter-with-audio
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Honestly you're going to save yourself from a lot of wasted time and headaches trying to get third party adapters to work just by buying a REAL apple cable.
I have a 30-pin connector in my car (Hyundai), which I can't really change. I had to do something when I upgraded to my iPhone 5 years ago. So i bought the Lightning to 30-pin Adapter (0.2 m) on the day of the iPhone 5 launch. I bought this one because it will still fit with cases, and gives a little extra cord length in the car.
I have used it almost daily since Sept. 21, 2012. It has been left in the car during all seasons, so both very hot and very cold days. The only minor issues I have with it has been some discoloration due to dirt collection on the rubber of the cord.
Seriously, it's worth just going straight to apple for this. It will last, and it will work correctly for sure.
I have a 30-pin connector in my car (Hyundai), which I can't really change. I had to do something when I upgraded to my iPhone 5 years ago. So i bought the Lightning to 30-pin Adapter (0.2 m) on the day of the iPhone 5 launch. I bought this one because it will still fit with cases, and gives a little extra cord length in the car.
I have used it almost daily since Sept. 21, 2012. It has been left in the car during all seasons, so both very hot and very cold days. The only minor issues I have with it has been some discoloration due to dirt collection on the rubber of the cord.
Seriously, it's worth just going straight to apple for this. It will last, and it will work correctly for sure.
Possibly. The DAC in the Apple adapter is not very good, so it doesn't sound all that great. Whether it will sound better or worse connected directly via lightning will depend on what you are plugging the Lightning cable in to and how picky you are. The Apple model doesn't have any egregious faults like hiss, buzzing hum, etc. it's just not a great DAC implementation.
Changing the DAC that the device is attached to can definitely change the sound. See above - the DAC from the 30-pin adapter is audibly inferior even to relatively inexpensive external DAC's.
Yeah I would actually prefer to buy the Apple one I just want it in black and they only have white.
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This is the adapter I am running my iPhone to http://usaspec.com/product.php?ProductID=55&forceShowProduct=1
It is made for the 4/4S, it connects through the XM radio connection and plays music from my iPhone and displays artist/song text. Will I take a hit in sound quality using Apple's 30 pin to lightning adapter so I can use it w my 6?
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Thanks, I actually already have a hookup I just need an adapter for my iPhone 6 since the hookup is 30 pin.
Since that is analog input only you have to have some sort of DAC and the Apple adapter is by far the most straightforward for you. It's unlikely you'll be disappointed with the sound.
The apple adapter should be fine. Even if you could notice the difference in sound quality in an ideal setting, the fact of the matter is that the noise floor in a car is high enough to drown out most extra details.
I did the same in my '08 Audi A4. Until I got this.
ViseeO Tune2air WMA1000 by ViseeO
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B52LLJ6/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_RJhpub1N7631H
I now use Bluetooth. I also have this before the Bluetooth adapter, not sure if it is needed but it drops the old 30 Voltage to the lower lightning voltage.
iPod / iPhone Charging Adapter Converter - Convert 12V to 5V - Converts Old iPod Dock, iPod Alpine, Pioneer and Car Hook Ups to 5V Allowing You to Charge the New iPod and iPhones-Black
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00495JZTY/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_ZMhpub1NTHJD0
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Oh ok, so the XM hookup that it's using isn't digital?
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Ok cool, thanks. I just wish they had it in black but oh well not that important.
Eh, there is a lot more to sound quality than just detail. It's true that I first noticed the poor performance of the adapter in my car with an expensive system in it, but adding an external quality DAC made an even bigger difference in my completely stock Prius system. (The usb input DAC in the Prius turns out to be abysmally bad though - far worse than Apple's)
Still in a world of bluetooth and compressed streaming audio, most are unlikely to notice or care.
That's awesome, so you can still use your phone while listening to music, I like it. The only thing I like about plugging it in is that it charges my phone out of sight, I have it installed in the small cubby below the stereo.
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No, I suspect it's just the analog connection that the external XM receiver is using. In order to be straight digital it would have to have its own DAC and that device doesn't.
My A4 came with Bluetooth phone. There was no Bluetooth audio on my generation A4. My slot is in the glovebox, before going Bluetooth I had a 30 male to female extender before the 30 pin to lighting adapter. Now with Bluetooth audio I select iPod and can control my music from my factory controls, or pick pandora...
I have no argument against this. I personally advise getting something well crafted, though it all depends on what the user wants. Some people are overjoyed with using their headphone jack as a line out jack, while I personally am mortified at the thought. To each their own.
