ATV 3 vs 4 in a small setting

[Regurgitated]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an ATV either version 3 or 4. I've been reading the forum and it seems the 4 might be overkill for what I want to do. I have a small office (8 ft by 9 ft) and I've mounted a tv with a shelf below it. I've also mounted a pair of speakers on the wall. If I go for the 3 I plan on ditching my audio receiver and picking up this amp which will allow me to stack the 3 on top of it saving me precious space. I don't plan on doing much more than listening to my music and a movie every now and then. I checked the 4 out at my local Staples and it really seemed to me overpriced for what my needs are. Is apple going to continue selling the 3 and supporting it? Are there former 3 users in my situation that moved to a 4 and what benefits are there? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Weaselboy]

From looking at that amp you will need the optical out from the ATV to feed into the amp. Given that the ATV4 dropped the optical out, I think that makes your decision for you. For your described usage the ATV3 seems to me it would fit the bill.

 

[Meister]

As weasel wrote: ATV3 all the way

 

[Regurgitated]

As weasel wrote: ATV3 all the way

I pulled the trigger on the 3 and ordered the little matching amplifier. I'll report back as soon as my install is done! Thanks!

 

[LiveM]

That amp should also work for the ATV 4 using an HDMI audio splitter.

For the office I use ATV 4 and Bose Soundlink Mini II which means audio is controlled via the ATV remote and we are clutter free.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

That amp should also work for the ATV 4 using an HDMI audio splitter.

For the office I use ATV 4 and Bose Soundlink Mini II which means audio is controlled via the ATV remote and we are clutter free.

Just bought the ATV4 and a Soundlink Mini II. How do you have them setup? Seems like the Bose would have better sound than my TV.

Thanks!

 

[jdag]

Thats a cool little amp...like how they've packaged it like the ATV. Let us know how it sounds. I know a lot of people use the Lepai LP-2020A+ amps, which are about 1/3 of the cost of this one, but not nearly as attractive.

If that one doesn't work for you, I really like the Dayton Audio DTA-120, which is much more powerful and better sounding then the Lepai.

That being said, I don't believe those other amps have digital inputs, so you'd need a convert in between.

 

[LiveM]

Just bought the ATV4 and a Soundlink Mini II. How do you have them setup? Seems like the Bose would have better sound than my TV.

Thanks!

Yes, it is much, much better. I connect via Bluetooth so the remote can control the volume and leave the Soundlink on the charging cradle with a micro USB cable. The Soundlink will turn itself off a while after the audio source has turned off.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

Yes, it is much, much better. I connect via Bluetooth so the remote can control the volume and leave the Soundlink on the charging cradle with a micro USB cable. The Soundlink will turn itself off a while after the audio source has turned off.

Thank you! Just set it up and it works and sounds great!