Yeah, I don’t know how many tube amps are coming out anytime soon with Airplay. This is about double the price I’d like to see, but this meets a need, and it’s good to know that, if one of my AEs bites the dust, there’s an option.
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Belkin Launches Soundform Connect Audio Adapter to Add AirPlay 2 to Standard Speakers
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Cheaper options are available:
tidbits.com
Add AirPlay to Your Classic Stereo with an Old Apple TV - TidBITS
Ever wish you could hear what’s playing on your iPhone through your stereo system? Here’s a step-by-step guide to add AirPlay support to your stereo for less than $20 and about an hour of your time.
tidbits.com
Every since updating my TV 4K to tvOS 14 there is a noticeable multi-millisecond (like the "flam" setting on a drum machine) while sending audio to my last gen Airport Express plus built-in TV speakers (it's the kitchen I need it louder over cooking noises). And BOTH the AppleTV and Airport are on a Gigabit switch (yes, I know AE is 100 mbit/s) so there should be NO latency. I've run the audio calibration for the internal speakers but the delay remains. I figured it was a lost cause to file a bug report with Apple since AE compatibility with is not an Apple priority -- but an actively developed product... hmmm, will look into.
The 2nd and 3rd gen Apple TV only support AirPlay 1. Just get a used 2nd gen AirPort Express that supports AirPlay 2. I have 2 of them, but they struggle and there’s a delay when scrubbing through songs or when skipping tracks. It’s instantaneous when AirPlaying to a HomePod or 4th gen Apple TV. I’ll have to give this Belkin device a shot to see how it performs. If it’s quick and responsive like the HomePods are, I’ll be replacing both AirPort Express units, otherwise I’ll return it and stick with the 2nd gen AirPort Express.Cheaper options are available:
Add AirPlay to Your Classic Stereo with an Old Apple TV - TidBITS
Ever wish you could hear what’s playing on your iPhone through your stereo system? Here’s a step-by-step guide to add AirPlay support to your stereo for less than $20 and about an hour of your time.
I remember reading about the leak of this a few weeks (?) back and thinking that the price tag was a deal-killer. I moved into a house that had whole-home audio hooked up, which I wasn't even planning to make use of, but decided to at least activate and try out a couple of rooms, so I bought a couple of used AirPort Expresses for dirt cheap on Facebook Marketplace and then bought one of these little tube amplifiers for about $80:
Truth be told, I have yet to finish hooking it up (further evidence that I don't have much need for it).
AIYIMA T2-PRO 6J1 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Stereo Power Amplifier 100W+100W 2 Channel Class D Digital Bluetooth 5.0 Receiver APTX for Home Passive Speaker System + DC19V Power Adapter
TUBE T2 PRO 6J1 Tube Preamplifier 100W+100W Bluetooth Amplifier Input and output adopt gold-plated RCA lotus seat Nice touch,All aluminum alloy shell,heavy gold PCB Can connected to MP3, computer CD, DVD, mobile phone, etc The Sound quanlity really good,Let you enjoy sweet and warm sound No...
www.amazon.com
Truth be told, I have yet to finish hooking it up (further evidence that I don't have much need for it).
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It is possible to have Airplay connectivity and multi room functionality at a fraction of the price of this! I have several and it works very well. Checkout the Audiocast M5. I've seen them as cheap as £18-20 on Ali Express.
audiocast.io
M5 - WiFi Audio - AudioCast
audiocast.io
I have two Airport Expresses solely to create extra airplay speakers. After resolving network issues (that were my fault during setup), they've worked perfectly. As long as they keep working, I see no reason to upgrade, and I'd still buy another AE if I wanted to add another zone.
Too bad there is no Ethernet. I have a couple of last generation AirPort Expresses that I use for AirPlay and they’ve been glitchy as heck since they were upgraded to AirPlay 2, an I might have considered replacing them with this product.
Here's our planned balcony solution:
Sonos Roam
Only $70 more for the whole unit not just an Airplay 2 receiver. And integrates beautifully into the Sonos ecosystem. And has Bluetooth as well for when you're at the beach or whatever.
But the Belkin gadget is good if you have a full wired speaker/amp setup I guess!
What we really need is a device that goes the other way, takes sound input and sends it to the multiroom AP network.
I'm really surprised in a market full of BT adapters we don't have an AP adapter like it.
I'm really surprised in a market full of BT adapters we don't have an AP adapter like it.
Airport Express has optical-out via the 3.5mm jack. All you need a mini-Toslink cable or adapter.
Yeah, same here. I have a HomePod and an Apple TV and things end up just enough out of sync to be distracting.
What's annoying is that I actually had everything totally in sync under the original AirPlay, sending audio from iTunes to the Apple TV in one room and an AirPort Express hooked up to speakers in another room. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know this was my shocker when I saw it. Can you say more about your set up and what you're using software wise?
My requirements:
- Solid network connection to all seven sets of speakers in the house (which means Ethernet)
- Ability to play from any Mac, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV anywhere in the house to any combination of these speakers, in sync
- Digital/optical output so I can use a high-end DAC
- No pausing or stopping just because the phone rings
- Reasonable buffer to avoid stuttering
- Reasonable remote control options (i.e. control Music on a Mac from the iPhone Remote app)
I currently have a Libratone speaker, an Apple TV and five Airport Express (with another four spares!) that let me do all this.
My setup works great, I very rarely need to restart anything or wonder why music isn't playing where I expect it to.
However, the Airport Express has been discontinued for quite some time. Sooner or later it's going to show it's age.
I am glad the Belkin solution exists, and I hope the next revision (or a "pro" version) adds Ethernet and support for lossless.
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I love how all the apple people have got behind lossless now that apple is kind of supporting it. Haha. Typical.
I’ve always wanted the reverse to this: a device which takes analog or digital audio IN, and streams it to Airplay or Chromecast connected/enabled speakers. It’s not the speakers I have a problem with, it’s my non-wireless audio sources.
the only option I know of is the Uber expensive Sonos Port
the only option I know of is the Uber expensive Sonos Port
When Apple announced the discontinuation of the ATV3 and reduced the price to $70 to clear the stocks, I grabbed two ATV3s just for the Airplay and optical output capabilities. Those old ATV3s are still better than Belkin's new adapter because they have wired network input as well.
On the other hand it's a shame that Apple axed the Airport Express, which was the only Access Point that had Airplay2, Wired Network , Optical out and Printer Share capabilities all in one device for $100.
On the other hand it's a shame that Apple axed the Airport Express, which was the only Access Point that had Airplay2, Wired Network , Optical out and Printer Share capabilities all in one device for $100.
The Apple TV (3rd gen with A5) only supports AirPlay 1 if I remember correctly. It’s the only the 2nd gen AirPort Express that got AirPlay 2 support after being discontinued.
I wish Apple TV HD or the current ones had optical audio out like the old one (probably only appeal to a niche market of me and 16 other people though..🤣)
I used an a 3rd gen Apple TV for streaming music before AirPlay 2 was even a thing. I bought the Apple TV instead of the AirPort Express at that time because they were both $99 and the ATV was more capable, and I had a DAC.
I know HDMI audio extractors exist, but I don’t want to have another device plugged into the wall to use a newer Apple TV when the AirPort Express still works or the Belkin product also takes up 1 outlet.
Thing is: Apple screwed up audio output quality on the 7.8.x firmware releases on the Airport Expresses (so every Airplay 2 release):
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...n-apple-airplay-2-sound-quality-issues.22013/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airport-express-firmware-update-terrible.2134953/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airport-express-7-8-audio-quality-issues.2187388/
So a big no for Airplay 2 on Airport Express, sounds terrible on a good hifi equipment -> Firmware 7.6.9 or .8 (and Airplay 1) it is
.
I've tried to contact Apple on this issue but failed big time (no option for feedback on Apple websites, filed a ticket, had a few calls but dead end....)
https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...n-apple-airplay-2-sound-quality-issues.22013/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airport-express-firmware-update-terrible.2134953/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/airport-express-7-8-audio-quality-issues.2187388/
So a big no for Airplay 2 on Airport Express, sounds terrible on a good hifi equipment -> Firmware 7.6.9 or .8 (and Airplay 1) it is
.I've tried to contact Apple on this issue but failed big time (no option for feedback on Apple websites, filed a ticket, had a few calls but dead end....)