Bluetooth Receiver

Posted by: nickpeacock on 20 November 2015

Can anyone recommend a bluetooth receiver? I have an ND5 XS which predates the Bluetooth upgrade.

 

Limited research so far suggests I could spend anything from £25 to £200. I think (but stand to be corrected) that I would like one with digital output. It will be going into the back of the ND5 and out through the Hugo.

 

I would use it to stream from iPhone/iPad (mine and the kids' including friends' when they come round). I accept it's a bit of a gimmick, but I'd like something which sounds good as well as just works.

 

arcam miniblink

audioengine b1

Other???

Posted on: 20 November 2015 by ChrisSU

Do you have to use Bluetooth? An Airport Express with optical cable will work over a wider range (your whole WiFi network rather than just a few feet) and used ones can be picked up for £20.  

Posted on: 20 November 2015 by Mike-B

I agree why use bluetooth,  but its not a bad question

I've been thinking about a bluetooth speaker for the garden    but how do we do this,  I haven't done much other than muse the idea.  So I get a bluetooth speaker,  then what ??? 

 

Posted on: 20 November 2015 by nickpeacock
The honest answer, ChrisSU, is I'm not sure. I suspect it's a fear of apple stuff other than iPhones!
Take this scenario: I decide I would like to watch some youtube music videos and have the sound come through my hifi speakers.
Will airport express do this?
I know Bluetooth will, so am still interested in the original question. (And I live in a smallish flat so really only need this facility in the main room.)
Posted on: 20 November 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

I wouldn't bother with Bluetooth, it doesnt particuarley sound good, even Apt-X, which I believe many Apple devices can't support anyway, and by design the range is extremely limited. I think many of us realize when marketing say it's 'CD like' it actually means nothing like CD.. unless you are listening using string and a tin can.

For friends wanting to play stuff. Then Tidal has does that now for me.. and home or friend movies, then you can play out connected directly, or give the friend the wifi key so they can connect to AppleTV or equivalent.

For me Bluetooth excels for cordless mice, car phones and adjacent device ad hoc data connection  but for hifi audio I leave well alone.

Simon

 

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by nickpeacock
Still really quite liking the idea of playing youtube vid on iphone and streaming the sound through the ND5; simple brain needs simple solution. (Fraid I'm not going tidal.)
Posted on: 21 November 2015 by Harty601

I would also go apple route. 

 

I had an old apple TV hooked up to my supernait and used it for exactly what you're looking to do.

 

It easily and seamlessly relays what the phone is playing, through your system. it also has the added convenience (as others have mentioned) that you do not have range issues - as long as your phone is in range of your wifi network.

 

FWIW I find it easier to wirelessly connect to airplay devices than I do to bluetooth. 

 

I no longer use the apple TV as I now stream Tidal through my 272. Rather than it gathering dust in my tech grave yard - you're welcome to have it (for nothing) - I'm sure you'd be happy with it once you're up and running.

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by Robd67

I agree with the other replies about the Apple route. I too have ND5 XS just pre Bluetooth. Makes sense to use your Iphone/IPad to Airplay to Apple TV connected via optical to ND5. 

I also had thoughts of Bluetooth headphones (Momentum or B&W P5) for night time tv or music listening. I wasn't totally blown away by sound. Plumped for P7 with 5m extension in the end.

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by dayjay
Originally Posted by Mike-B:

I agree why use bluetooth,  but its not a bad question

I've been thinking about a bluetooth speaker for the garden    but how do we do this,  I haven't done much other than muse the idea.  So I get a bluetooth speaker,  then what ??? 

 

There are some great ones around Mike.  You just turn it on, pair it to your phone or tablet and press play and music in your garden.  Great for evening garden parties

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by Robd67
Originally Posted by dayjay:
Originally Posted by Mike-B:

I agree why use bluetooth,  but its not a bad question

I've been thinking about a bluetooth speaker for the garden    but how do we do this,  I haven't done much other than muse the idea.  So I get a bluetooth speaker,  then what ??? 

 

There are some great ones around Mike.  You just turn it on, pair it to your phone or tablet and press play and music in your garden.  Great for evening garden parties

Forgot this is the only Bluetooth device I use. Casual listening in kitchen or garden. I use a Bose speaker for this, great for iplayer on iPad also.

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by nickpeacock
Originally Posted by Harty601:

I would also go apple route. 

 

I had an old apple TV hooked up to my supernait and used it for exactly what you're looking to do.

 

It easily and seamlessly relays what the phone is playing, through your system. it also has the added convenience (as others have mentioned) that you do not have range issues - as long as your phone is in range of your wifi network.

 

FWIW I find it easier to wirelessly connect to airplay devices than I do to bluetooth. 

 

I no longer use the apple TV as I now stream Tidal through my 272. Rather than it gathering dust in my tech grave yard - you're welcome to have it (for nothing) - I'm sure you'd be happy with it once you're up and running.

More than kind! Have just re-checked and my TV uses the optical input of the ND5 - can Apple TV connect to the ND5 in any other way?

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by Harty601
I don't think it can.

I use a Sonos playbar with my TV, which does not output 5.1 so I have to use an optical switcher box which my skybox / Apple TV and PS3 feed into. It's also remote control and cost me @£20 on Amazon.

I doubt it's the last word in audiophile quality, but something like that for streaming audio and TV playback would probably be fine.

You could plug your TV and Apple TV into it and take the switchable output into your ND5.
Posted on: 21 November 2015 by ChrisSU

An issue you might not like is that watching video on a Mac or iOS device, and sending the sound over Airplay/optical, means that the sound and picture are not in sync. At least, that's what I find using Airport Express optical to Superuniti. I suspect that an analogue connection might not have this problem - this might mean a further drop in sound quality, but if you're contemplating U-Tube over Bluetooth, perhaps you're OK with that.

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by nickpeacock:
 

 Have just re-checked and my TV uses the optical input of the ND5 - can Apple TV connect to the ND5 in any other way?

The latest model Apple TV no longer has an optical/analogue output, so you'd need to get a used one, or an Airport Express.

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by nickpeacock
ChrisSU I did think about that but you're right; basically I'm not after the last wors in sonic quality and the lip synch thing wouldn't bother me for what I would be using it for.
Harty I'll think about the optical switch thing but it might be a bit of a faff.
Everyone very helpful, as ever. Thanks!
Posted on: 21 November 2015 by hilz

Smart Tv then just link via optical out and play away.

otherwise Apple TV works great 

 

Hilz

Posted on: 21 November 2015 by Brubacca
When I was looking into this Arcam and Musical Fidelity had units that I was interested in. I have not pulled the trigger, but they were well received.
Posted on: 21 November 2015 by nudgerwilliams
Originally Posted by Mike-B:

I agree why use bluetooth,  but its not a bad question

I've been thinking about a bluetooth speaker for the garden    but how do we do this,  I haven't done much other than muse the idea.  So I get a bluetooth speaker,  then what ??? 

 

Mu-so!!!