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Upgrading an old home audio system to bluetooth

A

adrianajones

New Member
I'm trying to upgrade an older audio theater system with Bluetooth, so I can play music from my phone. Anybody have any experience with upgrading an older systems as such?

I'm stuck trying to decide between these two brands. One is Bose and the other is from another good Amazon brand that's a bit more affordable, although the product is new on the market.

https://kinivo.com/product/btr200-hd-bluetooth-audio-receiver/

https://www.bose.com/products/speak...adapter.html#v=bluetooth_adapter_ht_acc_black
 
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I've had decent luck with the cheap $15 ones you can get from Amazon and eBay (usually shipped from China). Never did any critical listening, but casually it sounded good. Might want to try one of those first if you don't mind waiting a few weeks.
 
You got a lot of options out there, most of the Bluetooth adapters should work OK.

Personally I'd go with a Chromecast Audio, and use it for streaming from your phone instead, the audio quality is better.

If you want a fun Bluetooth device though, get a Nobsound. Give it 5V power from USB, and it will function as a Bluetooth receiver for your system. Or plug it into a laptop brick, and it's a 30 watt amp with Bluetooth receiver.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W9I8WJM/ref=sr_ph?ie=UTF8&qid=1449038146&sr=1&keywords=nobsound
 
I went Bose; it's the latest spec (version 4 I think?) and it has an optical output to feed my DAC. I'm pleased with it so far.

I like being able to read a book on my iPad while running a Brian Eno app on it (Scape, Bloom, Air, Trope) or an app that creates environmental sounds (thunder, rain, etc.), and feed the sound from the iPad wirelessly to my stereo.
 
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I've been thinking of doing the same thing. One thing to look for is that the adapter uses BT version 4. This version provides better frequency response, longer battery life (important if the BT device uses batteries), and improved latency response.
 
I'm watching this thread with interest. I am totally ignorant of Bluetooth technology, despite working in IT for many many years, you would think I would be up on all the latest gizmos. I have my phone paired to the radio in my car (Ford Focus), so I can speak hands free.

Are you saying there are Bluetooth receivers out there I can connect to my HiFi and play music though them? I often listen to music on my iPad, YouTube mostly. Would one of these adapters allow me to send the music to my HiFi without physically connecting the iPad to the amp? I'm guessing I would have to "pair" the adaptor with the iPad. Would this work for a laptop as well, since I'm thinking of buying one as the iPad makes me want to scream sometimes?

I saw one on Parts Express, is this any good?

http://www.parts-express.com/batter...dio-receiver-with-power-supply-black--320-355

Please help a Bluetooth ignoramus.

Lee.
 
leesonic said:
I'm watching this thread with interest. I am totally ignorant of Bluetooth technology, despite working in IT for many many years, you would think I would be up on all the latest gizmos. I have my phone paired to the radio in my car (Ford Focus), so I can speak hands free.

Are you saying there are Bluetooth receivers out there I can connect to my HiFi and play music though them? I often listen to music on my iPad, YouTube mostly. Would one of these adapters allow me to send the music to my HiFi without physically connecting the iPad to the amp? I'm guessing I would have to "pair" the adaptor with the iPad. Would this work for a laptop as well, since I'm thinking of buying one as the iPad makes me want to scream sometimes?

I saw one on Parts Express, is this any good?

http://www.parts-express.com/batter...dio-receiver-with-power-supply-black--320-355

Please help a Bluetooth ignoramus.

Lee.
Click to expand...

Lee - the answer is yes, there are many Bluetooth adapters that connect to an amp/receiver. I purchased this HK adapter from Amazon. It's not much bigger than a matchbook and connects to my amp via rca cables. I run all digital music through my phone with no physical conneciton.

http://www.amazon.com/Harman-Kardon...r=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=hk+bluetooth+amp+adapter
 
I have a Rocketfish, $50 from Best buy. It was a little more than some of the others and had optical out. The sound quality is OK... The connection is not very good though. It can't stream for more than 45sec without skipping, even with my phone 5' away. I think I'll be returning this one, I'd like to try the Yamaha
 
Yep, these little devices have allowed me to set up vintage receivers and systems in my kids rooms by adding one of the $20 bluetooth receivers so they can use their music from their phones, which is all they do.
Yes, I am spoiling my kids. They will at least have wise ears when they get older.
 
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