Evening All!
IMHO the ifi Zen Blue has blown all Bluetooth opposition out of the water! It's pricey at £130, but nothing compares. It supports all the latest HD audio Codecs, as well as the old favourites like aptX (now 30 years old?).
What HiFi have just awarded it 5 stars in their latest review, however I feel that they failed to cover all of its noteworthy features and qualities. I've just posted a reply to that review. Here's what I said:
"Nice review. I have been thinking of getting this unit ever since late last year as part of my quest for better wireless audio. I have now purchased one and been using for the last 2 weeks.
I'm disappointed, however, that you only tested this unit with Apple hardware (iPhone X and Mac). I'm connecting to mine with an Android phone (Samsung Note 10+). One of the beauties of this ifi Zen Blue is that it is Bluetooth 5 and also supports virtually every Codec currently available. While my Note 10 does not support aptX HD Codec, it does support LDAC (Sony's highest bit rate codec). The quality of the audio from the ifi Zen Blue when using a Bluetooth codec that can stream at above 600kbps is exceptional for Bluetooth transmission. I have the Zen Blue and my phone streaming using LDAC at 990kbps.
I output coaxial digital audio from the Zen Blue into and Arcam irDAC. The richness, clarity and presence of the sound is undeniable!
Furthermore, when using a lower bitrate codec such as aptX, the range is exceptional! I have my Zen Blue positioned close to the middle of my 5 bedroom house, but was easily able to maintain a stable stream in the far corner of my garden, some 30 metres away, through an internal wall and the rear cavity brick wall of the house! The signal strength there measured as 'very good'.
That the unit informs you of the codec being used in your connection and gives you information about the the sample rate of the file it is receiving, leaves you in no doubt as to what the unit is receiving and the quality of the established connection. It even verbally tells you the name of the codec when it makes the connection with your source device!
Your review missed all of these things. The Zen Blue has audio quality in abundance and has lifted Bluetooth into the realms of true hifi and the audiophile!"
I have a relatively old Marantz Melody Maker (it’s crazy how things become obsolete). Want to add a Bluetooth receiver as Airplay is annoying and I mostly use Spotify. Anyone got any recommendations? Want one with aptx ideally. Thanks in advance!
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