[torso]

What is the best possible streaming source for B&W sound system or any other BMW sound system?

- build-in Spotify (still not Hifi)
- Tidal (Hifi) over wireless Apple Carplay or AA
- Deezer (Hifi) over wireless Carplay or AA
- what else?

[x54MTbackroads]

Some quick comparisons to specs here:
https://freeyourmusic.com/blog/best-...aming-services

[torso]

Originally Posted by x54MTbackroads

Some quick comparisons to specs here:
https://freeyourmusic.com/blog/best-...aming-services

Thanks for the answer. Tidal and Apple Music has probably the best sound quality but the real bottleneck is the BMW Wireless Apple Carplay. It only allows to stream at CD quality audio (16bit/44.1kHz). So that's about it.

[nZtiZia]

if you play hi-res from a device connected via USB and external DAC, you'll get the full bitrate. search the forum for additional threads on the subject

[torso]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

if you play hi-res from a device connected via USB and external DAC, you'll get the full bitrate. search the forum for additional threads on the subject

Interesting. Can i play stream music via external DAC and get full hi-res bitrate? I think not..

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by torso

Interesting. Can i play stream music via external DAC and get full hi-res bitrate? I think not..

i never said 'stream'; I said USB so that means cable

[torso]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

i never said 'stream'; I said USB so that means cable

Yes USB, i understand that but what kind of equipment?

iPhone -> ? -> ? -> Car USB-port

[kishore.balantrapu]

Originally Posted by torso

Yes USB, i understand that but what kind of equipment?

iPhone -> ? -> ? -> Car USB-port

Originally Posted by torso

Yes USB, i understand that but what kind of equipment?

iPhone -> ? -> ? -> Car USB-port

I connected iPhone to USB.. it operates only in the charging mode. I cannot get it into the CarPlay mode with a cable connected. I would love to hear thoughts on how folks connected a DAC (pass through) to CarPlay?

[Fuzzy Master]

Originally Posted by kishore.balantrapu

I connected iPhone to USB.. it operates only in the charging mode. I cannot get it into the CarPlay mode with a cable connected. I would love to hear thoughts on how folks connected a DAC (pass through) to CarPlay?

G05 only supports wireless CarPlay, so you can not use a DAC with CarPlay. You will need to download lossless music to your iPhone (or other storage device) and then use a DAC with a USB connection.

This post from Auricom may help;

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...36&postcount=2

[torso]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy Master

G05 only supports wireless CarPlay, so you can not use a DAC with CarPlay. You will need to download lossless music to your iPhone (or other storage device) and then use a DAC with a USB connection.

This post from Auricom may help;

https://g05.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...36&postcount=2

Okay, but what kind of DAC? Give me a example. How in the heck iDrive will see iPhone’s downloaded music over DAC connected via USB?

[Fuzzy Master]

Originally Posted by torso

Okay, but what kind of DAC? Give me a example. How in the heck iDrive will see iPhone’s downloaded music over DAC connected via USB?

I'm guessing you didn't read the post I linked to ... he provides the model of DAC that he uses.

For more detail, or other info, perhaps you should contact Auricom directly via DM. I'm sure he would be happy to help.

[Pzl1nz00]

Originally Posted by torso

What is the best possible streaming source for B&W sound system or any other BMW sound system?

- build-in Spotify (still not Hifi)
- Tidal (Hifi) over wireless Apple Carplay or AA
- Deezer (Hifi) over wireless Carplay or AA
- what else?

Apple Music lossless!

Had Tidal Masters, but MQA files

Qobuz is very good, but not the most content

Apple Music is best go to with lossless and best content and convenience!

If you want best EQ setting for B&W, watch here: (now this is a M5 and not a X5, so setting might need to be slightly different, but B&W system is the same.)

[torso]

Thanks for linking this video.

I found that Apple Music works also best for me. Best quality for money, best music library and convenience.

Now i have the following EQ settings on B&W and i am quite very happy with that.

Sound mode: Studio

- 100hz +4
- 200hz +2
- 500hz +2
- 1khz (flat)
- 2khz (flat)
- 5khz (flat)
- 10khz +2

- Treble +2
- Bass +4

[wufpak]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

if you play hi-res from a device connected via USB and external DAC, you'll get the full bitrate. search the forum for additional threads on the subject

I need to clarify here. Unless it was a feature that got removed for MY22 (and that's why I'm not finding one), the G05 doesn't have an analog input. Therefore you can't use an external DAC. You can use a digital audio player connected via USB, but you're still relying on the head unit's DAC for that.

[nZtiZia]

Originally Posted by wufpak

I need to clarify here. Unless it was a feature that got removed for MY22 (and that's why I'm not finding one), the G05 doesn't have an analog input. Therefore you can't use an external DAC. You can use a digital audio player connected via USB, but you're still relying on the head unit's DAC for that.

source device > DAC > analog to USB adapter > vehicle USB input

https://a.co/d/27V9rWA

[wufpak]

Originally Posted by nZtiZia

source device > DAC > analog to USB adapter > vehicle USB input

https://a.co/d/27V9rWA

Has someone tried this? Based on what the manual says, this doesn't work, but I haven't it tried myself.

[mitch57]

I have a question. How much better is the sound coming out of a DAC into the USB port on the BMW with a USB C to 3.5mm Audio Aux Cable coming from the DAC versus playing the same HI RES files on a USB Thumb Drive/Hard Drive plugged directly into the BMW's USB port?

I'm not seeing anything in the BMW owner's manual that talks about the specifications of the DAC in the HK head unit.

[DrX52019]

Spotify is the best.

[Wild Blue]

I stream lossless audio files directly from USB hard drives. The resulting quality is far greater than any other audio source I've tried. Nothing comes remotely close. Lossless audio makes the B&W audio come alive.

I have not tried messing with additional DACs.

[mitch57]

Originally Posted by Wild Blue

I stream lossless audio files directly from USB hard drives. The resulting quality is far greater than any other audio source I've tried. Nothing comes remotely close. Lossless audio makes the B&W audio come alive.

I have not tried messing with additional DACs.

Hence, my question. I too stream hi resolution lossless multi-channel music files via a USB Thumb Drive.

I'm curious how much better sounding, if any, these files would sound going through a DAC.

[Wild Blue]

Originally Posted by mitch57

Hence, my question. I too stream hi resolution lossless multi-channel music files via a USB Thumb Drive.

I'm curious how much better sounding, if any, these files would sound going through a DAC.

I'd be curious too, if someone tries it out. Conceptually, it seems to me that it wouldn't make much difference, based solely on the lack of an analog audio input in the car.

If there was an analog audio input that went straight to the amp, an external DAC would bypass the one onboard, and you could ostensibly achieve higher quality with a better DAC, while minimizing circuitry routing from source to amp.

Using an external DAC, wouldn't we be just adding more gunk to the existing routing?

[nZtiZia]

someone said they play lossless through USB drive. that's it. no external DAC. let the vehicle DAC do its thing. "sounds phenomenal" but he has B&W system