Wot's all this about Bluetooth then?

[Guest]

I thought it was for taxi driver's earpieces.

Now I see the Arcam rBlink mumbling about bluetooth, aptX etc., and the NAD D 3020 doing the same.

Imagine I'm as dumb as a sack of rocks and please explain to me what bluetooth would win me. Am I supposed to stream from my phone to these boxes, or what?

 

[aswillman]

I'm sure someone will explain the AptX bluetooth protocol but a simple answer to your question, yes you can stream from your phone to your HiFi.The best version I heard was when I had a Chord QBD76. I also use it with my Cambridge Audio products. I have never found the SQ as good as a direct connection but that is probably more about the implementation than anything else. Saying that, files on the phone might be lossy compression.When I've streamed from my MacBook Air to a CA product, the sound is quieter compared to direct USB (which may explain everything) but I don't think it has the same dynamics.However, as a convenient solution for YouTube, Spotify, teenagers etc, it is useful. The computer usually sees it as a pair of headphones.

 

[Guest]

Right, thanks for the explanation. So basically a convenience for the kids rather than something the audiofart ought to get excited about.

Ta

/g

 

[aswillman]

I think so!

 

[audiomaven]

I've tried this (not on the Arcam) from my iPhone to various speakers, and Bluetooth does lose some quality. But, it's awesome to be able to start playing your music list in a friend's car (if they have Bluetooth equipped), or a speaker set like this (good for stocking stuffer): http://weeklyad.staples.com/Staples/BrowseByPage?StoreID=2563619&PromotionID=92004&ListingID=-2052795295

It's definitely targeted for convenience, not quality!

 

[Muddy Funster]

Right, thanks for the explanation. So basically a convenience for the kids rather than something the audiofart ought to get excited about.Ta

/g

Not quite. It's a valid and robust wireless pathway, and under aptX it's lossless to 24/96. In addition, aptX is increasingly being used in broadcast applications, as it can stream four AES3 datastreams wirelessly. It's no more 'kid's plaything' than AirPlay or similar, although a potential limitation to Bluetooth is the transfer protocol, as it sends sync data and relies on periodic (but extremely rapid) decoder resynchronisation, rather than running in some kind of asynchronous mode. Depending on how robust the Bluetooth connection is (which usually means how far you are from transmitter to receiver), this can mean absolutely nothing or dropouts or all points in between.