Bluetooth Receiver

[DaveN]

Please does anyone have any advice about Bluetooth Receivers to link an ipad to a Hifi system. I am aware that there are a few different products around - but would like to know which would be better to get and if there is anything specific I need to look for.

Cheers

 

[muljao]

I have bought a few over the last few weeks.

Aptx is the buzz word. I'd buy one with this feature, apple does not support it (yet) but it might be better to have it.

The main thing I would look for is an optical out if your receiver has an optical in. It's likely that the dac in a good amp or receiver will be better than in a cheap Bluetooth device

 

[Leeps]

If you do actually have an iPad, rather than an Android tablet of some description, then Apt-X Bluetooth is a non-starter as Apple products don't support this higher quality Bluetooth.

For iPads, Bluetooth isn't the best option as it'll be heavily compressed. If you're determined to have a wireless option and your network is up to scratch, then an Apple Airport Express or older generation Apple TV (the one with the optical output, but then you'd need a DAC too) would be ok. But personally I found Airplay to be patchy with regular dropouts, despite high-MB Virgin Media broadband.

What precisely do you intend to stream? Is it downloaded songs actually stored on your iPad, or is it from Spotify? If it's Spotify, then other options that support Spotify Connect might be worth considering. Also, how close is your router to your hifi? Where possible a wired ethernet connection using your iPad purely as a remote, rather than the streamer itself will offer better results. I found the best option for me (until I can purchase a dedicated streamer that does the job) is to physically tether my iPad to my AV receiver. No dropouts or hitches of any description and no compression.

Google Chromecast might do the job, particularly with the ethernet adaptor, but I've read very mixed reviews and have no personal experience with it. Some people rave about it with no problems at all and others seem to be unable to get it working properly.

 

[jjbomber]

Google Chromecast might do the job, particularly with the ethernet adaptor, but I've read very mixed reviews and have no personal experience with it. Some people rave about it with no problems at all and others seem to be unable to get it working properly.

I use Google Chromecast on one system, via the Oppo 105, This needs a HDMI input, so it depends on your hi-fi. The other system has a Pure A2 Jongo, which can be got for £20 these days. Either one will work well. I have the ipad Pro 9.7.

 

[tino]

The other system has a Pure A2 Jongo, which can be got for £20 these days. Either one will work well. I have the ipad Pro 9.7.

+1 for the Pure Jongo A2. Can be bought for £15 from Richers. Line out, optical and coaxial digital outputs and USB charging port. Not aptx though. You can also use it via wifi using the Pure Connect app.

 

[knaithrover]

Ive had both the Arcam Miniblink and QED puck both sound excellent and at around £50 for the puck and £90 for the miniblink certainly won't break the bank

 

[Deleted member 160668]

Depending on the value of your system another option, which I can recommend (as I have one) is an Arcam rBlink. These cost around £80-100 2nd hand or £140-180 new.

I stream lots of Spotify premium at 'extreme 320kb' mode to my hifi and the sound quality is unbelievably good for Bluetooth. There is such a negligible difference compared to a cd. Even when I've put the same cd and streamed song on and flipped between inputs you barely notice any difference in the sound quality.

If you can justify such a spending this much on a Bluetooth in relation to your hifi setup cost then these are great and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Cheers,

 

[Top Cat]

Depending on the value of your system another option, which I can recommend (as I have one) is an Arcam rBlink. These cost around £80-100 2nd hand or £140-180 new.

I stream lots of Spotify premium at 'extreme 320kb' mode to my hifi and the sound quality is unbelievably good for Bluetooth. There is such a negligible difference compared to a cd. Even when I've put the same cd and streamed song on and flipped between inputs you barely notice any difference in the sound quality.

If you can justify such a spending this much on a Bluetooth in relation to your hifi setup cost then these are great and I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Cheers,

I purchased an rBlink about 6 months ago and I love it, it has been a great investment. I use it with my Windows phone (550), mostly streaming BBC 6 music and other radio stations with the Tune in radio app and occasionally youtube videos.

The pairing connection is very quick and consistently stable, there's never a drop in connection - I use it for hours on end. I can even take the phone downstairs and the connection remains stable.

As for sound quality, because the rBlink has a DAC, the quality is good. If you were to compare it with plugging the phone to the amp via a 3.5mm headphone jack, then I would say that the quality is very good, there's very little compression.

 

[Southsea]

I've also had a bad experience with AirPlay so have opted for Bluetooth with my iPad. Sevenoaks have the QED Uplay plus Bluetooth adapter for £30 at present. It's got Aptx which the iPad doesn't use, but may come in handy at a later stage.

 

[bigboss]

Google Chromecast might do the job, particularly with the ethernet adaptor, but I've read very mixed reviews and have no personal experience with it.  Some people rave about it with no problems at all and others seem to be unable to get it working properly.

I use Google Chromecast on one system, via the Oppo 105, This needs a HDMI input, so it depends on your hi-fi. The other system has a Pure A2 Jongo, which can be got for £20 these days. Either one will work well. I have the ipad Pro 9.7.

Google Chromecast has 2 products; Chromecast and Chromecast audio. The latter doesn't have HDMI.