DC-1 + iPhone love. Taotronics bluetooth reciever

[garbulky]

INITIAL IMPRESSIONS!

It's been a bit slow on the forums lately. So I thought I'd update with a bit of a review.
I bought this. for $17.
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B013QJ0W8Q
I think everybdoy knows that one thing that most DACs do not have is the ability to interface seamlessly with an iphone.
Well this device totally allows for it. Stream your pandora, itunes radio, songs, etc, all over bluetooth to the DC-1 wirelessly.

You need a 3.5MM to RCA jack connection cable. And hook it up to the analog input. That should be all it takes.

(The silver jack is detachable to reveal a headphone out. )
It will now stream over bluetooth to the DC-1.
BTW, it also has a built in microphone so you can take calls that way if you have a headphones connected to the DC-1and are at work.

So how is the DAC? Well I only got to listen to it for literally 30 seconds connected directly to my HD600 (no DC-1 in the mix). And I thought it sounded pretty darn nice for 17 bucks. It sounded better than the iphones headphone output. I plan to do a bit more listening tonight and will post my impressions.

Oh the battery is also rechargeable and hooks up to a USB jack or USB wall adapter. So if there is one nearby it will run 24/7.

[audiobill]

Much better to stream at 16/44 from iphone to an Airport Express or Apple TV via Airplay.

Bluetooth is limited to 320 kbps vs 1,411.

[garbulky]

I hear that audiobill. This is really a cost thing. A portable easy no fuss cheap as all get out solution.
So I finally got it hooked up to the DC-1. And...it looks like only the left channel works. I tested both analog inputs and confirmed the DC-1 worked. But for some reason it came on the left channel. It looks like it may possibly be my 3.5 mmm adapter being too short because my headphones 3.5mm jack which is longer does play in stereo.
So I have to refrain from drawing conclusions on the performance. However, it appears that it's not the most bassiest unit out there. And it is of course no DC-1. However I won't diss it till I hear both channels working because that would be premature.
The mid range though...was actually quite decent for a portable bluetooth $17 DAC...

[audiobill]

Good deal!

[garbulky]

So I finally got to test it out...in the car. Still haven't had a chance to test it out in the house adequately.
As of right now I have to withdraw my reccomendation for it purely on the basis of audiophile criteria.
It does work exactly like it's advertised. It just requires a single press to activate and off you go. The DAC is also not half bad. Surprisingly good.
But it comes down to sound quality. Yes the quality is amazingly good for $14.00 without even counting the bluetooth feature. But it's not enough. The main drawback being the volume is too darn low most of the time. So lack of punch and a sense of musical enjoyment. My car radio was at near its higher raneg trying to listen to it due to the low volume. It also had trouble engaging the stereo jack - which I noticed the DC-1 had issues too. Now it was able to engage but it looks like the design is not optimal.
I still have a jack that came in that may fix it. But for now, it is what it is. It works. May not be exactly what you want. For the average non audio guy it's most likely almost perfect if the radio has enough volume.