HomePod Best Stereo Receiver for Homepods

[iAssimilated]

As I slowly add Homepods to my house I started to think how could I listen to my vinyl records on these wonderful little speakers (I just love the sound they put out). The only components I would require connecting to the receiver is a record player and a 20 disc CD player (both utilize RCA cables). Naturally I will use the Homepods for the speakers. Initially I do not need the Homepods to be paired for stereo, but the option would be nice to have in the future. I did run across this receiver (https://www.us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVReceivers&ProductId=NR1509) but would like to have as many options as possible before I make a decision.

UPDATE: I prefer a slim receiver (I just think it looks better), so I found the following receivers from Pioneer (AirPlay2 available via a firmware update):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTQ5UVK/ref=psdc_3213037011_t4_B01LWPQFFF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWPQFFF/ref=psdc_3213035011_t1_B01MTQ5UVK

 

[jljue]

Is it actually possible for an Airplay2 AV or Stereo receiver to broadcast an analog (or digital) source to other Airplay2 speakers?

 

[MacManTexas56]

As I slowly add Homepods to my house I started to think how could I listen to my vinyl records on these wonderful little speakers (I just love the sound they put out). The only components I would require connecting to the receiver is a record player and a 20 disc CD player (both utilize RCA cables). Naturally I will use the Homepods for the speakers. Initially I do not need the Homepods to be paired for stereo, but the option would be nice to have in the future. I did run across this receiver (https://www.us.marantz.com/us/Products/Pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=AVReceivers&ProductId=NR1509) but would like to have as many options as possible before I make a decision.

UPDATE: I prefer a slim receiver (I just think it looks better), so I found the following receivers from Pioneer (AirPlay2 available via a firmware update):
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MTQ5UVK/ref=psdc_3213037011_t4_B01LWPQFFF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LWPQFFF/ref=psdc_3213035011_t1_B01MTQ5UVK

I'm not sure I really understand what you are trying to do. Are you trying to connect the homepod's to the receiver and not use speakers on the receiver? That's not possible....you'd need speakers to be plugged in to your receiver to hear anything from the record player.
[doublepost=1559098549][/doublepost]

Is it actually possible for an Airplay2 AV or Stereo receiver to broadcast an analog (or digital) source to other Airplay2 speakers?

don't think that's possible

 

[iAssimilated]

I'm not sure I really understand what you are trying to do. Are you trying to connect the homepod's to the receiver and not use speakers on the receiver? That's not possible....you'd need speakers to be plugged in to your receiver to hear anything from the record player.

Apparently I don't quite understand the technology... I assumed that if you had a receiver that supported airplay2 you would be able to push the audio from the receiver to airplay capable devices (ie a homepod). I guess I was wrong?

So I understand this correctly, a receiver with AirPlay2 capability only receives audio from an iDevice or Mac? Seems a bit weak, but...

 

[MacManTexas56]

Apparently I don't quite understand the technology... I assumed that if you had a receiver that supported airplay2 you would be able to push the audio from the receiver to airplay capable devices (ie a homepod). I guess I was wrong?

You'd have to buy speakers to connect to the receiver. you could play the same music to all home pods and the receiver with speakers connected, but you can't push music from receiver to a HomePod etc.

For example, I have 6 home pods in the house and 1 receiver in my sunroom (connected to airport express with airplay 2) that i have 4 speakers connected to it. 2 of the speakers are in the sunroom and 2 are outside on the patio. All music plays everywhere at the same time.

You won't be able to play your record player on your receiver to other airplay devices....the receiver itself is only seen as an airplay device. So you'd play from iTunes etc on your receiver...can't push something from receiver to other airplay devices.
[doublepost=1559100154][/doublepost]i think this is the only way....

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/comments/998620/airplay_turntable_vinyl_to_all_airplay_2_speakers/

 

[iAssimilated]

I guess I have two options (one possibly realistic and one pipe dream), find a way to hook up my record player to one of my Mac minis (that doesn't completely degrade the audio quality) or convince Apple to make a iReceiver. Bummer.

Regardless, thank you very much for your assistance!!!

I am still relatively new to the modern Apple.

 

[MacManTexas56]

I guess I have two options (one possibly realistic and one pipe dream), find a way to hook up my record player to one of my Mac minis (that doesn't completely degrade the audio quality) or convince Apple to make a iReceiver. Bummer.

Regardless, thank you very much for your assistance!!!

I am still relatively new to the modern Apple.

anytime! hope you get something figured out...

 

[iAssimilated]

Do you happen to know of any similar speakers in line with the Homepod for a traditional receiver (beautiful, mono, great sound, wired preferably)?

I would be open to bluetooth connectivity, but that still means I would have to get a new receiver.

 

[andylel]

You should be able to do what you want with a Sonos product. I think it’s called the Connect. It enables you to to integrate your existing equipment with Sonos which in turn can play to Airplay speakers such as the HomePod.

 

[jerwin]

came across this in a web search:

https://9to5toys.com/2018/09/04/the...ay-enabled-record-player-for-high-end-setups/

I assume your phono preamp is all sorted?

update: nope.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250100973

 

[iAssimilated]

You should be able to do what you want with a Sonos product. I think it’s called the Connect. It enables you to to integrate your existing equipment with Sonos which in turn can play to Airplay speakers such as the HomePod.

I have looked at this product before, but I am not sure why I dismissed it. A couple of possible reasons were I did not know if all my audio equipment would hook up to this unit and it was definitely pre AirPlay2 (although I didn't yet have a homepod... so, maybe I didn't want Alexa enabled Sonos speakers... ?).

I will give it another look, thank you for the reminder!

came across this in a web search:

https://9to5toys.com/2018/09/04/the...ay-enabled-record-player-for-high-end-setups/

I assume your phono preamp is all sorted?

update: nope.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/250100973

That is one sexy record player! Although, for that price I would need to be 100% in on the wireless setup... something to consider though. UPDATE: Not encouraging...lol.

Our current record player was originally my wife's, but I believe it has a phono preamp built into the unit (although I would have to verify). Thank you for the insight!

 

[x-evil-x]

You'd have to buy speakers to connect to the receiver. you could play the same music to all home pods and the receiver with speakers connected, but you can't push music from receiver to a HomePod etc.

For example, I have 6 home pods in the house and 1 receiver in my sunroom (connected to airport express with airplay 2) that i have 4 speakers connected to it. 2 of the speakers are in the sunroom and 2 are outside on the patio. All music plays everywhere at the same time.

You won't be able to play your record player on your receiver to other airplay devices....the receiver itself is only seen as an airplay device. So you'd play from iTunes etc on your receiver...can't push something from receiver to other airplay devices.
[doublepost=1559100154][/doublepost]i think this is the only way....

https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/comments/998620/airplay_turntable_vinyl_to_all_airplay_2_speakers/

You could almost build an Atmos setup with HomePods. Even though it wouldn’t work. You must like them a lot.

 

[waw74]

if you don't mind losing Siri, you'd be better off (both in doing what you want to do, and financially) with Sonos
you can control apple music with Alexa on Sonos now also.

you can get Sonos "dumb" speakers for $150, or the "smart" ones with Alexa/google assistant and airplay2 for $200
the speakers, amps, and sound output are the same on both
and you can find sales or refurb units for less.

as long as you have one Sonos that supports airplay2, you can send that audio to all speakers, even if they don't support airplay, just select the one airplay speaker on your phone, then in the Sonos app, group all the other speakers with that one.

for your LPs, there are a couple different ways to go
one box has line in and line out so you could connect your record player, and put out to your existing stereo/amp/speakers
another has the same analog in and outs, but also a built in amp, HDMI input, and airplay.

and once again, once the audio in the Sonos system, it's available from all speakers in your setup.

they have a few different options for TVs, but once you have that into your system, you can add a pair of speakers for rear channels and have surround (you can get the "dumb" ones for this as all the extra features of the smart ones are disabled for surrounds) (if you find a sale, you can add surround for the cost of 1 homepod)
you can then enjoy the sound from your TV all over your house also.

I have the Beam soundbar, and it sounds really great, as do all of their speakers.

 

[robjulo]

Just get Sonos....it's a much better option.

 

[iAssimilated]

Using Sonos speakers is a non starter. Thank you but no... I own, love, and truly enjoy Homepods!

@waw74 I do not use Siri, so nothing to miss. I disable Siri as soon as I configure a Homepod on my network. As for Sonos, well... ... ...also, I have no desire to have Alexa in my house.

@x-evil-x Yes, I do like them a lot! I can only assume @rmhop81 feels the same (due to his setup).

 

[x-evil-x]

im imaging the badass system you could of built instead of all those home pods. Each their own I guess.

 

[jljue]

Since the Analog/Digital to Airplay or Airplay2 interface market is limited, Sonos seems to tick enough of the boxes for my home’s needs compared Yamaha MusicCast or Denon/Marantz Heos for Airplay2 devices that also have ability to broadcast inputs, although it might be a different standard. Sure, I can setup an AirPlay interface with a RPi, but my family hates when I make systems too complicated for them. They never used the HT receiver in the house because they couldn’t get the concept of switching inputs on the TV and setting the input on the HT receiver, as easy as it seems to me.

I type this a person who had B&W custom speakers installed with Yamaha Aventage receiver and Marantz system previously.

 

[x-evil-x]

Since the Analog/Digital to Airplay or Airplay2 interface market is limited, Sonos seems to tick enough of the boxes for my home’s needs compared Yamaha MusicCast or Denon/Marantz Heos for Airplay2 devices that also have ability to broadcast inputs, although it might be a different standard. Sure, I can setup an AirPlay interface with a RPi, but my family hates when I make systems too complicated for them. They never used the HT receiver in the house because they couldn’t get the concept of switching inputs on the TV and setting the input on the HT receiver, as easy as it seems to me.

I type this a person who had B&W custom speakers installed with Yamaha Aventage receiver and Marantz system previously.

a harmony remote would fix all of that. Complicated and better sounding is good. 18 remotes is bad and confuses people.

 

[jerwin]

a harmony remote would fix all of that. Complicated and better sounding is good. 18 remotes is bad and confuses people.

Many of the remotes in the Harmony lineup are limited to controlling only 15, or 8, or even fewer devices. Some are limited to IR. Choose carefully.

 

[jljue]

Many of the remotes in the Harmony lineup are limited to controlling only 15, or 8, or even fewer devices. Some are limited to IR. Choose carefully.

I had a couple of Harmony remotes that I tried out on my family, but it doesn’t work out so well. Ironically, my family understands Airplay and some music apps well enough, which is why I currently plan to build my home’s sound on Airplay2 & Sonos.

 

[x-evil-x]

Many of the remotes in the Harmony lineup are limited to controlling only 15, or 8, or even fewer devices. Some are limited to IR. Choose carefully.

True. I’m still rocking a 890 from 2007 with rf and Zwave. Have it setup for multiple rooms,multiple receivers works great still.
[doublepost=1560745613][/doublepost]

I had a couple of Harmony remotes that I tried out on my family, but it doesn’t work out so well. Ironically, my family understands Airplay and some music apps well enough, which is why I currently plan to build my home’s sound on Airplay2 & Sonos.

Do you not have an appletv? If everyone is on iPhones or you have an appletv it’s the way to go for airplay and now with multiple users.
The receivers AirPlay with crappy interface I’ve used a few times, wasn’t a feature I cared for since I have two Appletv’s. Heos app looks dated also

 

[jljue]

True. I’m still rocking a 890 from 2007 with rf and Zwave. Have it setup for multiple rooms,multiple receivers works great still.
[doublepost=1560745613][/doublepost]
Do you not have an appletv? If everyone is on iPhones or you have an appletv it’s the way to go for airplay and now with multiple users.
The receivers AirPlay with crappy interface I’ve used a few times, wasn’t a feature I cared for since I have two Appletv’s. Heos app looks dated also

Yes, I have an AppleTV 4 with a second one (4K for another room) about to be ordered. I also have an AP2 capable Airport Express that I stream music to in the Master Bedroom from time to time. I’ve really seriously thought about just getting Airport Expresses for the two locations that only need an amp and then not worry about sharing the Onkyo Turntable with other rooms. The 20-year old Marantz CD changer apparently gave up after moving to the new house, so I won’t worry about sharing a CD stream as well, either. Now I just need to narrow down same brand or different brands of AP2 sound bars and speakers for the rooms that don’t need anything complex.

 

[x-evil-x]

Yes, I have an AppleTV 4 with a second one (4K for another room) about to be ordered. I also have an AP2 capable Airport Express that I stream music to in the Master Bedroom from time to time. I’ve really seriously thought about just getting Airport Expresses for the two locations that only need an amp and then not worry about sharing the Onkyo Turntable with other rooms. The 20-year old Marantz CD changer apparently gave up after moving to the new house, so I won’t worry about sharing a CD stream as well, either. Now I just need to narrow down same brand or different brands of AP2 sound bars and speakers for the rooms that don’t need anything complex.

I only have two rooms that have full systems with appletvs so never saw the need for airplay enabled speakers as I just use airplay to my appletv to get audio to both areas. I just think the AirPod is overpriced compared to what you can get for a speaker but if you don’t have an appletv and surround sound system I can see it being useful. Everything I have is wired. 5.2.4 and 5.1 setup in both rooms.

 

[waw74]

Using Sonos speakers is a non starter. Thank you but no... I own, love, and truly enjoy Homepods!

@waw74 I do not use Siri, so nothing to miss. I disable Siri as soon as I configure a Homepod on my network. As for Sonos, well... ... ...also, I have no desire to have Alexa in my house.

You don't have to enable either voice assistant on Sonos.
In fact, they are disabled by default.

I've got mostly Sonos, and one HomePod
I got the HomePod shortly before I went Sonos.
now all I use it for is siri control of my HomeKit stuff. I really need to sell it. as my phone can normally hear me.


You've disable the one feature that HomePod has that's not available anywhere else.
and then insist on using HomePod, when there are other options, that do more, cost less money, and do what you want.

with the Sonos one, you've got all the features of a HomePod, except for Siri, the blinking lights on top, and control from command center on your phone.

they both have airplay 2 (in fact you can stream to sonos and HomePod at the same time)
they both play Apple Music
sonos adds a ton more streaming providers that play directly on the speaker so you don't have to stream from your phone.
sonos has line-in capability (either over HDMI-arc or RCA)
sonos has line-out capability (either RCA or toslink)
sonos has surround sound
sonos has a sub available

I too, am an apple fan-boy, but can admit when there is a superior product from someone else.

 

[Farns]

You don't have to enable either voice assistant on Sonos.
In fact, they are disabled by default.

I've got mostly Sonos, and one HomePod
I got the HomePod shortly before I went Sonos.
now all I use it for is siri control of my HomeKit stuff. I really need to sell it. as my phone can normally hear me.


You've disable the one feature that HomePod has that's not available anywhere else.
and then insist on using HomePod, when there are other options, that do more, cost less money, and do what you want.

with the Sonos one, you've got all the features of a HomePod, except for Siri, the blinking lights on top, and control from command center on your phone.

they both have airplay 2 (in fact you can stream to sonos and HomePod at the same time)
they both play Apple Music
sonos adds a ton more streaming providers that play directly on the speaker so you don't have to stream from your phone.
sonos has line-in capability (either over HDMI-arc or RCA)
sonos has line-out capability (either RCA or toslink)
sonos has surround sound
sonos has a sub available

I too, am an apple fan-boy, but can admit when there is a superior product from someone else.

I‘m in the same boat as the OP - I picked up a couple of cheap Sonos One for the bedrooms and I’m considering replacing them with HomePods. I have 4 in my house now and I absolutely love the sound. I actually use them most for TV and movies - my TV does not leave the Apple TV HDMI input.

I love challenges like this, but sadly I think everyone is right - easiest way would be to get a competing low cost AirPlay2 compatible speaker that allows line-in and use that to share audio with the homepods. The Sonos Beam might be an interesting option? It looks like it has multiple inputs and you might be able to get some other use out of it rather than just a means for transmitting AirPlay 2 audio?