Chord Gem DAC

[sensei_russ]

I just found out about this bluetooth DAC whilst reading (of all things) the Sunday Mail Live magazine (I don't normally buy the Mail - honest guv - I was visiting my mum and she had a copy!).

I'm not sure how I managed to miss this before, I see it is mentioned on the news page here but it mentions streaming from a mobile phone to the Chord Gem as opposed to streaming from a laptop/pc.

Given my recent problems with Airport Express I'm wondering if this device could replace the AE and my Beresford DAC as a means of streaming music from my laptop (which is bluetooth enabled).

If this is possible would it perform better in sound terms than my AE/Beresford combination and would it be able to stream itunes, foobar and media monkey as well as other applications?

(AE with airfoil seems unable to play smoothly via foobar and there are sync problems when streaming movies via media player).

Any thoughts out there in What Hi-Fi land?

 

[Clare Newsome]

It's in the DACs test we've got coming up....so we'll tell you when we've tested it!

 

[sensei_russ]

Ah brilliant, thanks Clare.

When is that article/issue of the magazine due out?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Not until the 18th September, sadly - but we may put up some of the individual reviews before then.

 

[sensei_russ]

Clare, do you know from the info you have whether the Chord Gem can perform basically the same function as the Airport Express - i.e. stream music wirelessly from my laptop (via bluetooth in the case of the Gem) to my hi-fi?

 

[fr0g]

Have you a list of DACs being reviewed by any chance?

 

[Clare Newsome]

Not yet- still calling them in, based on our sourcing and everyone's suggestions here. But I know we've definitely got the Chord.

And i'm afraid i'm not at work at the mo, so don't have the Chord Gem info to hand....

 

[sensei_russ]

Thanks for taking the time to answer Clare - especially when you're not at work!

From everything I've read it should be able to stream from the pc to hi-fi via bluetooth, so fingers crossed, it's just that the Chord website specifically mentioned mobile phones and that made me wonder.

Looking forward to the reviews.