This is a multi part question re: iPhone Xs, Qobuz, and Hi res music.

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I would take that to mean that the built in DAC can't handle hi-res, so it is downsampled before it is converted.

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10 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

 

Are you referring to the DAC in the phone?

 

I was, because that pop up refers to using the jack audio output, but I guess the iPhone X doesn’t even have one, except the dongle with its built in DAC.

 

Is there a way to output a digital signal without using the camera kit? The CarPlay interface is the only one I know, but is there a car stereo that support CarPlay and hi-res?

 

When I play hi-res through the Onkyo app to my car stereo, it is downsampled to 48kHz, but I assume this is a limitation of the car’s DAC. 

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Here is your solution. (I am also an "audio doctor," and my daughter sent me this.)

 

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I was about to post pretty much what left channel posted. Here's some info on the DAC chip built into the EarPods' lightning connector. https://appleinsider.com/articles/16/09/20/teardown-finds-dac-chips-in-apples-lightning-earpods-lightning-to-35mm-adapter-for-iphone-7

 

I don't think that the iPhone can pass an analog audio signal over USB, and even if it could, I seriously doubt that the internal DAC could handle hi-res.

 

I can try connecting my phone to my car using the camera adapter, but first I have to find a USB-A male to USB-A male cable. Don't think I own one. But even if it works, I'm pretty sure it would be a digital signal and limited to the capabilities of the car stereo's DAC.

 

I have been able to play hi-res files from my iPhone using the camera kit and either a DragonFly Red or a Meridian Explorer², though the later is inconvenient because it has to be connected to an external power source.

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On 10/21/2018 at 10:27 AM, AudioDoctor said:

 

 

Thats what I thought I just wanted to be sure, and I think you're right.

 

Apple says the Camera Connection Kit is compatible with all iPhones back to the iPhone 5, including the Xs and Xs Max.

 

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MK0W2AM/A/lightning-to-usb-3-camera-adapter?fnode=97

 

However, I have no idea if this will allow me to play Hi Res files via CarPlay in my car, which has a USB connection, but I am going to try it.

 

I tried connecting my iPhone to the USB input on my car using the camera kit, and it wasn't recognized as a media device.

 

You might be able to play hi-res files with Onkyo HF Player through the CarPlay interface, but only if your car stereo's internal DAC supports hi-res. I am unable to test this because my car's DAC only supports up to 48kHz, but I can confirm that Onkyo HF Player works with CarPlay. I just don't actually know if the CarPlay interface will pass a hi-res signal unaltered.

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It will work without the camera connection kit, but I assume hi-res music is getting downconverted on the fly. Again, no way to be sure unless someone has a car stereo with a hi-res DAC.

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@AudioDoctor

 

I drive a GLC 300. I hadn’t really paid attention to what codecs the audio system supports through USB, but that is disappointing. I have the upgraded Burmester audio system, but it seems to have the same restrictions. I just tried playing FLAC files via USB, and they are just skipped over.

 

However, I still think that I am getting lossless audio over the Apple CarPlay interface. Most of the files in my iTunes library are ALAC or AAC, and they play just fine. FLAC files also play through the Onkyo, Qobuz, and Tidal apps. I’m assuming the phone is putting out raw PCM to the DAC through the CarPlay interface. It wouldn’t make any sense for the stream to be converted to MP3 or WMA first. The car has a CD player, so obviously the stereo can handle PCM.

 

I was also a bit disappointed when I got the car that there is no auxiliary input for audio, so no way to utilize an external DAP. Is this true for all late model MB? I had a C-Class sedan as a loaner, and it didn’t have an aux port either. I have just about concluded that CDs or an iPhone synced with lossless files are the only way to get lossless with my car’s entertainment system.

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58 minutes ago, AudioDoctor said:

I swear I saw a part in the manual about an aux port, but that may have been for the rear seat entertainment system, which I do not have. I would have to look again.  If it does I have not found it by chance yet.

 

The Qobuz app plays, but you have to fiddle with the phone correct?

Yes, but you can navigate the Tidal app with the CarPlay interface. Lossless, but not hi-res. I am hoping they will integrate the Qobuz app at some point.

 

47 minutes ago, cambridgehank said:

My E400 MY2018 has two usb inputs in the arm rest compartment. Our Mazda CX-5 has one in the rear seat arm rest. 

Mine is the same. Two USB ports but no analog audio port. I had been able to use a Pono Player in my previous car, but no apparent option for that in the MB.

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My last car could play DVDs on the in-dash screen, but alas I never took advantage of it. ?

 

Actually, I think the screen would go black when the car was in motion.

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Now that's cool.