Adding Bluetooth to a UnitiQute 2

Posted by: Adrian_P on 03 April 2017

Hi,

I've discovered that, as an Amazon Prime subscriber, I have access to the Amazon Music streaming service which can be quite useful when we want to listen to something we don't have in our collection.

We can do this easily with our Qb by pairing a mobile device to the Qb using Bluetooth. However, we also have a pre-Bluetooth UnitiQute 2 in another part of the house where this would be useful. I understand that Amazon being Amazon, they won't support Google Cast, so a ChromeCast Audio isn't an option.

So, question is, does anyone have any recommendations for a Bluetooth adapter that could be used with the Qute? Anyone used the AudioEngine B1 (expensive, but looks good)? Or the Arcam rBlink or miniBlink?

Some of these have optical/Coax digital output as well as phono out, thereby offering a couple of connectivity options. I'm not sure whether digital out to the Qute's DAC would offer any sonic benefit for what would probably be 320k MP3 files from Amazon, but this could be beneficial for local streaming using aptX for the occasional visiting millennial.

Any thoughts / experience welcomed.

Thanks,

Adrian

Posted on: 03 April 2017 by ChrisSU

Can you play from Amazon Prime via Airplay? If so, an Airport Express via optical connection into the Qute would work.

Posted on: 03 April 2017 by Adrian_P

Hi Chris, no idea whether Amazon Music supports Airplay but I should have added we are Android only. Since Google Cast isn't supported, I think BT is our only option.

Posted on: 03 April 2017 by Manu

Focal have an inexpensive BT APTx adapter with phono output. It is battery powered, just plug it to your RCA input.

Posted on: 04 April 2017 by ChrisSU

Adrian_P posted:
Hi Chris, no idea whether Amazon Music supports Airplay but I should have added we are Android only. Since Google Cast isn't supported, I think BT is our only option.

I'm pretty sure you can do this; there are plenty of 3rd party apps that make Airplay work on Android phones. It may well be easier to just plug in a Bluetooth adapter, but personally I've always found BT to have a very short range, and mediocre sound quality, so I tend to avoid it for anything more than hands-free calling in the car.

Posted on: 05 April 2017 by Peder69

Sadly in my experience the apps for making airplay possible on android both demand rooting the device and also work a bit non stable.

Posted on: 05 April 2017 by Adrian_P

Peder, thanks for the feedback. Chris, I did do a scan of the available Airplay apps for Android. As Peder says, most of the apps that would enable me to stream from Amazon Music would require me to root the phone which I'm not prepared to do. And I'd still need to buy an Airport Express! Based on a bit of digging into reviews I think the Arcam miniBlink will be more than capable for my needs.

Posted on: 05 April 2017 by Brubacca

Many audio companies have bluetooth adapters. Arcam has a couple nice looking ones. You can get analog and/or digital out. I have a qute v1 and have considered it before. Musical fidelity had one too. Just pick a reputable company with the features you want and get it. It will not sound as good as the qute direct to your music, but it doesn't need too.