Airplay 2 and A/V receivers

[revox12]

This may be a dumb question, but I can’t quite figure out a definitive answer. If I buy an AirPlay 2-compatible receiver, I know I can use it as a “destination” (meaning I can stream from my iOS devices and Macs) and I can use Siri on it.

But can I use it as a “source?” Meaning: if I am playing a vinyl record, DVD, or CD thru the receiver, can I use Airplay 2 to send the audio to other Airplay speakers on my network?

 

[Rookie42]

Hi Revox12,

No, you can't, I'm afraid. AirPlay and AirPlay 2 speakers are only destinations. The source "has" to be an iDevice (iOS or MacOS).

You also mention being able to use Siri on the proposed AirPlay 2 compatible receiver... I do not believe there are any AirPlay 2 devices (other than the HomePod) which allow the use of Siri directly or natively. However, you can ask Siri to play music (from your iTunes library or Apple Music) "in the living room", if you've set it up in HomeKit and told homekit the name of the room in which you've set up the AirPlay 2 speaker/receiver/device.

For example, you could ask Siri on your iPhone "Hey Siri, play my favourite playlist in the living room". Or, (with Apple Music), "Hey Siri, play some rock and roll in the living room". If you want to use Spotify or another steaming service on your iPhone, you'd need to "send" the output to the AirPlay 2 speaker(s) of your choice in Control Centre.

I hope that makes sense... and I'm sure others will provide more input.

 

[revox12]

Hi Revox12,

No, you can't, I'm afraid. AirPlay and AirPlay 2 speakers are only destinations. The source "has" to be an iDevice (iOS or MacOS).

Thank you for the clarification! That was what I assumed, but I couldn't nail it down conclusively.

You also mention being able to use Siri on the proposed AirPlay 2 compatible receiver... I do not believe there are any AirPlay 2 devices (other than the HomePod) which allow the use of Siri directly or natively. However, you can ask Siri to play music (from your iTunes library or Apple Music) "in the living room", if you've set it up in HomeKit and told homekit the name of the room in which you've set up the AirPlay 2 speaker/receiver/device.

That's what I thought. Thanks for confirming.

I hope that makes sense... and I'm sure others will provide more input.

Thanks again. I would love to be able to figure out a way to tie my main system (A/V receiver w/phono, XM, CD player, AppleTV) into my Airplay speakers. Sometimes I want to be able to listen to vinyl records or CDs throughout the house and not just streaming audio. May be an impossible dream.

 

[priitv8]

Thanks again. I would love to be able to figure out a way to tie my main system (A/V receiver w/phono, XM, CD player, AppleTV) into my Airplay speakers. Sometimes I want to be able to listen to vinyl records or CDs throughout the house and not just streaming audio. May be an impossible dream.

I am trying to second to Rookie42. I also have only made experiences with Sony AVR-s due to my personal preferences.
In addition to what Rookie42 already mentioned, I have to say that on Sony AVR, once you are in AirPlay mode, it means you effectively have switched input to AirPlay network connection. So it will ignore all other inputs.
Would love to hear experiences from others with really AirPlay 2 compatible AVRs.

PS On my AVR, I can switch it to become a Bluetooth transmitter, so I theoretically could transmit music to other rooms wirelessly. The same mode works also for BT headphones.