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Bluetooth receiver to hook to an audio system. What's out there, where to start??
- Thread starter Ohighway
- Start date
Bluetooth isn’t the only option. I looked into the same question, and discovered the quality constraint from Bluetooth, but even worse was the convenience factor. If you get a call on the phone, the phone will continue to connect to your playback system, which usually lacks a microphone among other problems.
I ended up attaching a computer to the system through a DAC (for one system) or an ADC/DAC (for the other). Both computers are PC’s, and I run Airserver on them. My phone can play music to the Airserver through the WiFi network. The quality is the same as through a wired connection, and the phone still works as a phone for an incoming call.
Rick “who wired the digital interfaces into a tape loop” Denney
I ended up attaching a computer to the system through a DAC (for one system) or an ADC/DAC (for the other). Both computers are PC’s, and I run Airserver on them. My phone can play music to the Airserver through the WiFi network. The quality is the same as through a wired connection, and the phone still works as a phone for an incoming call.
Rick “who wired the digital interfaces into a tape loop” Denney
I use both an Arcam miniBlink and a cheapo Dayton from PE. The Arcam is connected to my NAD T748 --> AR-4x, the Dayton to my Marantz 7T/240 --> AR-3. While neither is CD quality, they both sound great.
+48V
hi-fi or die
Note that Bluetooth is co-dependent. In order to realize the benefits of any given version, both the sender and reciever must support that level. So if her phone is just 3 or 4 that's all you'll get.
RTally
Speaker addict
Since she has an iPhone, get a used Airport Express and connect via Airplay. I picked up a couple AEs on Craig's List for $20 to 30 each. Very easy to connect to from the phone. The AE has both analog and optical TOSLINK output to your sound system. And the quality is much better than BT.
Well I decided to take the plunge and get this $32 wonder off Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JX7PZ43/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Foxnovo Bluetooth Receiver,Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter for TV with Digital Optical TOSLINK, 2-in-1 Audio Bluetooth Adapter with Aptx HD Low Latency and 3.5mm Aux Adapter for Headphone, Speakers, PC
Just got it this evening, hooked it to the system and.....done. Pairing with my Android phone and my daughter's Iphone, is dead simple. Nice to be able to listen to Spotify, select songs, control volume right from the comfort of my listening chair. Sound quality seems good but I'll reserve judgement on that until I get more listening time in.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JX7PZ43/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Foxnovo Bluetooth Receiver,Bluetooth 5.0 Transmitter for TV with Digital Optical TOSLINK, 2-in-1 Audio Bluetooth Adapter with Aptx HD Low Latency and 3.5mm Aux Adapter for Headphone, Speakers, PC
Just got it this evening, hooked it to the system and.....done. Pairing with my Android phone and my daughter's Iphone, is dead simple. Nice to be able to listen to Spotify, select songs, control volume right from the comfort of my listening chair. Sound quality seems good but I'll reserve judgement on that until I get more listening time in.
I use a Rocketfish Bluetooth receiver that I have connected to a MSB Link DAC that is connected to my preamp. I can stream my Kindle or my iPhone through it if I want to listen to Pandora or SomaFM. Whatever receiver that you go with I think running it through a outboard DAC can improve the SQ.
0Hz
Active Member
Took a quick cursory look and found this. Seems like it will run off either A/C or USB power
https://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardo...JTATV86FB6H&psc=1&refRID=3NA3P1YE3JTATV86FB6H
xDuoo XQ-50
Or the BLT2
Or the BLT2
the skipper
Professional Curmudgeon
Can't say I've ever seen one but all the ones I've seen run off a USB port. Pick up a cheap wall unit and a cable and you can probably solve that power issue for >$10.
Natertots
Well-Known Member
You likely don’t have to “charge” the unit. You should be able to plug in the “charging cable” to the wall, just like you would your phone. The ability to use it disconnected from wall power is just a bonus.
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cunningr
Well-Known Member
I am using this one comes with a power supply. If I remember correctly it can be used as a transmitter or a receiver.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KTK8YP3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KTK8YP3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Tommy2D
Active Member
I bought this little guy, from Logitech, a while ago. It doesn't have a battery, so you need to plug it in. I'm not sure if that's @Rod Tew is asking. If you're looking for a Bluetooth transmitter that would function just from the current flowing through a 3.5mm cable from your phone, I don't believe that anyone has devised a device like that.
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Blu...argid=aud-801381245258:pla-404766890119&psc=1
One note of caution: I also picked up one of these $3.95 specials to see how it would work with a pair of headphones.
It "works" but produces a MONO signal. I'm pretty forgiving in terms of sound quality but I noticed in less than a minute. It's disappointing: a basic BT receiver (Even using the standard SBC codec...in stereo) would be handy to have in a suitcase or backpack for travel, etc.
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Tommy2D
Active Member
How are you enjoying it? I've been curious about how well an optical + BT AptXHD setup would compare to a direct cable connection.
SimplerTimes
Super Member
Or, if your amp has 120V outlets on the rear panel, you can just leave it plugged in to the unswitched outlet. That’s how I have mine set up.
Tommy2D
Active Member
If your PC has digital coaxial out and your amp accepts a digital coaxial input then: YES your amp's DAC will decode the SPDIF signal. It would be the same scenario if you used digital optical out (through a Toslink cable). If you use the computer's line out (using a 3.5mm stereo cable) and fed that into your amp....the computer's internal DAC would handle the digital-to-audio processing.
Have fun with the comparisons.
Have fun with the comparisons.