Best way to connect iPhone to GainCell DAC preamp?

Cables
1

Is it best to use the iPhone lightning cable to rca analog to the analog input of the dac? or, should I find a lightning cable to digital coax to that input? Or, should I get a bluetooth adapter? Thank you.

2

Hello,
I used a bluetooth receiver. This one:
Bluetooth 5.0 Audio Receiver Adapter NFC - Audio Signal Converters | Audio-Video Products | StarTech.com Canada.
I used the optical out from the music receiver to the optical input on the SGCD and also, at other times, the analog output to an integrated amp when on my bike trainer. Decent sound for background listening. I am sure there are many like it.
Harry

3

I use the two devices below to connect my iPad (with USB-C out) to my portable Chord DAC’s

I use the two devices below to connect my older iPhone (Lightning out) to the same DAC’s

These Apple adapters give you a USB-A connection to feed your DAC

4

Thank you. My dac has the USB- B input though.

5

Thank you, would you say that was better than the phone to the rca directly? As in this Bluetooth had better sound quality?

6

Yes, I realize that. You would connect it using a USB-A to B cable. They are very common.

7

I see now, thank you. And do you believe that this will yield better results than going from the iPhone to RCA in the analog inputs? Or, what if I got an iPhone/lightning to digital coax and did that coax digital input? I’m curious as to what is “best” given the fact that it’s still just compressed files on the iPhone.

8

My guess is it would sound better using your Gain Cell’s USB Input because that would use it’s internal DAC. I don’t own one, so I cannot say from experience. Give it a few hours and I’m guessing others might chime in that know from experience.

Obviously the Coax would also use the internal DAC, but I have never used one. Some may also have a preference of digital inputs based off sound quality.

9

Thank you. To simplify. I can to iPhone to RCA analog, iPhone to RCA analog with Bluetooth, iPhone to Digital Coax, or iPhone to Digital USB.

10

I never tried the analog out from the iphone via cable to the SGCD so I cannot answer this question. I like the freedom to be able to move my phone with me to another room, if I have to, without unplugging and reconnecting when I come back.

11

Here is what I use with my older iPad and my current iPhone (12 mini). Not sure if it’s the best, but it’s cheap. RCA cable into the GaincellDac.

12

what about this cable, direct from the iPhone lightning converted to digital coax? https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806191676781.html?src=google&pdp_npi=4%40dis!USD!39.85!39.85!!!!!%40!12000036957857167!ppc!!!&src=google&albch=shopping&acnt=708-803-3821&isdl=y&slnk=&plac=&mtctp=&albbt=Google_7_shopping&aff_platform=google&aff_short_key=UneMJZVf&gclsrc=aw.ds&albagn=888888&ds_e_adid=&ds_e_matchtype=&ds_e_device=c&ds_e_network=x&ds_e_product_group_id=&ds_e_product_id=en3256806191676781&ds_e_product_merchant_id=402016837&ds_e_product_country=US&ds_e_product_language=en&ds_e_product_channel=online&ds_e_product_store_id=&ds_url_v=2&albcp=19678427463&albag=&isSmbAutoCall=false&needSmbHouyi=false&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD6I-hEc74Al-kiEuCXqwGqDsnAhR&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0fu5BhDQARIsAMXUBOISKGS1nersMrCR0SviZftiDtFUI7fl1AmKC1bsLX11xRYXqQUFhvkaAhyYEALw_wcB&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

13

Does anyone know if a higher quality RCA cable into the analog input of the GainCell DAC is better or worse than this lightning to digital Coax into the digital input of the DAC? This cable is a cheaper unknown cable but the only one I can find in existence.