The Audiolab IQ dock extracts the raw digital audio stream from Apple devices, allowing it to be processed by the sophisticated DAC inside an external DAC in a home hi-fi system rather than by the basic DAC in the device itself. ‘While many music lovers today store their entire music collection on portable devices both for convenience and mobility, they lament the poor result achieved when they use their portable device as a source in their hi-fi system, as generally they connect either via the low quality headphone output on the device or at best using a wireless streaming method, both of which don’t give the user optimum sonic performance,’ said Tony Ingrisano, of Audio Visual Revolution, which distributes Audiolab in Australia. ‘Rather than leaving the heavy-duty digital-to-analogue conversion to a simple and low quality DAC in the device itself, the iQ dock extracts the raw digital audio stream, thus giving the user the flexibility of having their entire music collection on their portable device while on the go, but also allowing users to get the most out of their music when in the comfort of their home.’ The Audiolab iQ has a USB connection that allows any iDevice to sync with iTunes whilst docked (a USB cable is included) and comes with both coaxial and optical digital outputs for connection to an external DAC. It comes with a remote control and will charge any iDevice whilst it’s docked.