Bluetooth Connection to Denon RCD M38

[NM1960]

Hi

Total tech learner here.

I am just beginning to scratch the surface of listening to music via Spotify and Alexa echo.

Now that is relatively pleasing, but...

What I want to do is listen to the music through a Denon RCD M38 system.

Can this be done? If so is it intuitive what plugs into what?

Finally what device would you recommend? Do I get better quality sound the more I pay.

Hope I am not asking daft questions.

Nigel

 

[Gray]

Welcome Nigel.
For Bluetooth have a look at the ifi Zen Blue (or their cheaper 'air' version).

Either would plug into one of your Denon's aux inputs, using a twin RCA cable.

If there is an aux output on your echo device (think it might have a 3.5mm jack socket), you might like to try that into an aux input on the Denon to see how you like the sound.

 

[camcroft]

I asked him on another forum is he using apps from his phone as you know it's all to do with the codecs. I play Amazon Unlimited through an echo dot to the Zen Blue into my system but all I get is SBC as Amazon don't support the better codecs and spotify are very similar but the Zen Blue supports most of the best codecs.

 

[Gray]

I asked him on another forum is he using apps from his phone as you know it's all to do with the codecs. I play Amazon Unlimited through an echo dot to the Zen Blue into my system but all I get is SBC as Amazon don't support the better codecs and spotify are very similar but the Zen Blue supports most of the best codecs.

I know nothing about the Echo Dot.
Does it transmit Bluetooth?
(Must do I suppose, as BT is the Zen Blue's only input).

 

[NM1960]

Thanks all.

My simple plan was to play Spotify through my Galaxy android to my Denon. So in theory buy a BT adaptor. Connect it to the D. Use the Spotify App and having located the device and paired it send the music to my Denon.

 

[Witterings]

Thanks all.

My simple plan was to play Spotify through my Galaxy android to my Denon. So in theory buy a BT adaptor. Connect it to the D. Use the Spotify App and having located the device and paired it send the music to my Denon.

Why not plug the Alexa Echo (I'm assuming you mean an Echo Dot or similar) into the Denon ..... 3.5mm out from the Echo to RCA cable into the R38?

The other alternative is buy a WiiM mini and plug it into the Denon, you can then "cast" the music from your Spotify App on your Android directly to it?

 

[Jellycat]

Why not plug the Alexa Echo (I'm assuming you mean an Echo Dot or similar) into the Denon ..... 3.5mm out from the Echo to RCA cable into the R38?

The other alternative is buy a WiiM mini and plug it into the Denon, you can then "cast" the music from your Spotify App on your Android directly to it?

Hi,

Would the WiiM mini media puck be compatible with the RCD-M38?
I only ask as I have one (R38) and would like to stream Spotify via my phone using WiFi.
Have been told I'd have to upgrade my system but if I can use this solution it would be great.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Witterings]

Hi,

Would the WiiM mini media puck be compatible with the RCD-M38?
I only ask as I have one (R38) and would like to stream Spotify via my phone using WiFi.
Have been told I'd have to upgrade my system but if I can use this solution it would be great.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Yes it would .... although the M38 only has analogue input which means you'll be using the DAC in the WiiM mini which is average but may well be enough for what you want.

If you wanted better quality listening you could go for the WiiM Pro Plus which has a much better DAC in it but is obviously more expensive

If you have any other queries just let us know.

 

[Jellycat]

Yes it would .... although the M38 only has analogue input which means you'll be using the DAC in the WiiM mini which is average but may well be enough for what you want.

If you wanted better quality listening you could go for the WiiM Pro Plus which has a much better DAC in it but is obviously more expensive

If you have any other queries just let us know.

Thanks for the prompt response it's very much appreciated.
Yes I will have to think about it as its hooked up to Bose Acoustimass speaker setup so I'm not sure how good it will sound with the Mini.

 

[Witterings]

Thanks for the prompt response it's very much appreciated.
Yes I will have to think about it as its hooked up to Bose Acoustimass speaker setup so I'm not sure how good it will sound with the Mini.

It's really down to if it's critical listening or not and if not it'd be fine, Spotify's not the best quality anyway so maybe you wouldn't notice the difference.

Easy answer is get one from Amazon and if you're not happy then send it back and get the Pro Plus.
I use a Pro in my kitchen / living area but using the optical out into the M39 which has optical in so using the Denon's DAC and am nore than happy with that, the Denon's are great little units.

 

[Jellycat]

Hi, thank you.
You referred to a M39 is that different from my M38 with regard to connections for connecting the WiiM Mini Puck streaming device?

 

[Rodolfo]

For both OP Nigel and @Jellycat (though not for Wi-Fi which I never considered):

Before I got a bluetooth-equipped integrated amp, I had an original Cyrus One amp running my main stereo, and a Nakamichi SoundSpace 8 as a secondary one. Neither of these great devices had Bluetooth and I also wanted to connect my phones and a Surface Pro to stream both Spotify Premium, which I had at the time, and my digital file collection. (I had also inquired about modifying/"bluetoothing" my systems and could not.)

What I got was this little solution X 2: https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Adapter-Streaming-Wireless-Speakers/dp/B016NUTG5K/ref=sr_1_8?crid=E3LASN8O7AHB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zphMgdfoIjRbdIgExwgpjnEXook_xhQsl1ehxP5KX_uSmC2x4Manw60C5twL-BKlWv-B7GP-pcPFTotLKT4XFW7-AdXGwgcZXRxe5m-BHYcfvrSXiv9duYaClzQEiqH4cxpKhWgIkYRRH67PgdmCdvBZ8siRw82mcn5LzP8-PfiJ2vbzAg8qDwJhDwebnz45lmqkk8l7CD8kQhvteUfw1KK51ytVPI3aR4VEN0kx3bc.COwPmANfAsuzDRX7Llxg9eMaGoi8E8g2w-TZMAoZ0X8&dib_tag=se&keywords=bluetooth+adapter&qid=1716143709&sprefix=bluetooth+adapter,aps,113&sr=8-8

If you have an open auxiliary input on your Denons, try this. I found it to be a very economical and reliable solution for both of my systems for a few years. The Esenkin can also connect via an audio jack, but yous probably wouldn't like having this adaptor dangling from the front of your nice compact Denons.

Not sure how available this is around the globe, and there there may may be better adaptors in 2024; but I do see plenty of current satisfied reviewers as I did several years ago when I got my units. I still have the Esenkin adapter connected on the back of the Nak, but I rarely use a bluetooth connection on it these days.

Note, this does not Bluetooth the Denon: it is only an adaptor and it may or may not be enough for you. I found it to be a convenient quick adaptation of my otherwise-worthy devices, and you can see at amazzon dot com that they have sold many thousands of these devices over a bunch of years. Good luck enabling your Denons and your phones.

 

[Witterings]

Hi, thank you.
You referred to a M39 is that different from my M38 with regard to connections for connecting the WiiM Mini Puck streaming device?

Yes, I had the M38 until me and the Mrs went out on a night and my daughter had a party and it never worked again so was replaced with the M39 ... The 39 has optical / digital input which the 38 doesn't.

Not sure if you know what a DAC is or not? ... I didn't have a Scooby a year ago nor how important it was, if you don't let me know and I cam give a relatively simple summary.

 

[Witterings]

For both OP Nigel and @Jellycat (though not for Wi-Fi which I never considered):

Before I got a bluetooth-equipped integrated amp, I had an original Cyrus One amp running my main stereo, and a Nakamichi SoundSpace 8 as a secondary one. Neither of these great devices had Bluetooth and I also wanted to connect my phones and a Surface Pro to stream both Spotify Premium, which I had at the time, and my digital file collection. (I had also inquired about modifying/"bluetoothing" my systems and could not.)

What I got was this little solution X 2: https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Adapter-Streaming-Wireless-Speakers/dp/B016NUTG5K/ref=sr_1_8?crid=E3LASN8O7AHB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zphMgdfoIjRbdIgExwgpjnEXook_xhQsl1ehxP5KX_uSmC2x4Manw60C5twL-BKlWv-B7GP-pcPFTotLKT4XFW7-AdXGwgcZXRxe5m-BHYcfvrSXiv9duYaClzQEiqH4cxpKhWgIkYRRH67PgdmCdvBZ8siRw82mcn5LzP8-PfiJ2vbzAg8qDwJhDwebnz45lmqkk8l7CD8kQhvteUfw1KK51ytVPI3aR4VEN0kx3bc.COwPmANfAsuzDRX7Llxg9eMaGoi8E8g2w-TZMAoZ0X8&dib_tag=se&keywords=bluetooth+adapter&qid=1716143709&sprefix=bluetooth+adapter,aps,113&sr=8-8

If you have an open auxiliary input on your Denons, try this. I found it to be a very economical and reliable solution for both of my systems for a few years. The Esenkin can also connect via an audio jack, but yous probably wouldn't like having this adaptor dangling from the front of your nice compact Denons.

Not sure how available this is around the globe, and there there may may be better adaptors in 2024; but I do see plenty of current satisfied reviewers as I did several years ago when I got my units. I still have the Esenkin adapter connected on the back of the Nak, but I rarely use a bluetooth connection on it these days.

Note, this does not Bluetooth the Denon: it is only an adaptor and it may or may not be enough for you. I found it to be a convenient quick adaptation of my otherwise-worthy devices, and you can see at amazzon dot com that they have sold many thousands of these devices over a bunch of years. Good luck enabling your Denons and your phones.

This is what I used for a few years (and still have sitting in a drawer) before upgrading to Chromecast Audio and thne WiiM streamers ... was a great solution in it's day but quality has moved on since then,

 

[jjbomber]

If you have an open auxiliary input on your Denons, try this. I found it to be a very economical and reliable solution for both of my systems for a few years. The Esenkin can also connect via an audio jack, but yous probably wouldn't like having this adaptor dangling from the front of your nice compact Denons.

Same theory, but I use these.

Bluetooth Adapters|Elegiant

Bluetooth Adapters

www.elegiants.com

 

[Jellycat]

Hi guys, I have seen some used and apparently new Chromecast Audio devices on Ebay and wondered what your thoughts were?

I guess they're past there best phase now as I believe they're shelf life is fading.

 

[Witterings]

Hi guys, I have seen some used and apparently new Chromecast Audio devices on Ebay and wondered what your thoughts were?

I guess they're past there best phase now as I believe they're shelf life is fading.

It's one of those things you may get lucky andget a good one or you may not ... there shoudn't be many duff ones though as WiiM are very good at replacing faulty units.

if you are seriously interested I may possibly sell a Mini .... the only reason I upgraded was they won't play multiroom in Hi res so swapped up to Pros and a Pro Plus when they became available.

I'd also sell a Pro ... BUT ... once every so often if detaches from the network and has to be restarted, this is only once every couple of weeks thought but strangely it happened for the first time in over 6 weeks last night.

 

[Rodolfo]

Hi guys, I have seen some used and apparently new Chromecast Audio devices on Ebay and wondered what your thoughts were?

I guess they're past there best phase now as I believe they're shelf life is fading.

You should probably start a new post/thread on this broad question.

 

[jjbomber]

Hi guys, I have seen some used and apparently new Chromecast Audio devices on Ebay and wondered what your thoughts were?

I guess they're past there best phase now as I believe they're shelf life is fading.

Still good enough for Spotify, which is what the OP wants.

 

[Jellycat]

It's one of those things you may get lucky andget a good one or you may not ... there shoudn't be many duff ones though as WiiM are very good at replacing faulty units.

if you are seriously interested I may possibly sell a Mini .... the only reason I upgraded was they won't play multiroom in Hi res so swapped up to Pros and a Pro Plus when they became available.

I'd also sell a Pro ... BUT ... once every so often if detaches from the network and has to be restarted, this is only once every couple of weeks thought but strangely it happened for the first time in over 6 weeks last night.

So are you selling a WiiM Mini Streamer? If so..how much?

 

[Witterings]

So are you selling a WiiM Mini Streamer? If so..how much?

£50 posted.

 

[Fandango Andy]

"the M38 only has analogue input which means you'll be using the DAC in the WiiM mini which is average but may well be enough for what you want."

You could just use an external. I have a WiiM mini purchased before the Pro and Pro Plus were a thing. I use an SMSL SU-1 DAC (£80 from Amazon) connected with a toslink.

 

[Witterings]

You could just use an external. I have a WiiM mini purchased before the Pro and Pro Plus were a thing. I use an SMSL SU-1 DAC (£80 from Amazon) connected with a toslink.

Yes agree you can, I prefer to keep box count down as much as possible though, I have a Topping E30 in a drawer somewhere I could use but as I wanted at least the Pro for High Res multiroom preferred to buy the Pro Plus instead.

 

[Jellycat]

£50 posted.

With all the cables included when new?
Posted where exactly?