Apple Music on hifi amplifier

[gigatoaster]

Hello there

I’m trying to find a solution for the neighbours. They have a subscription to Apple Music and a hifi system from 20 years ago with plenty of outputs.

I’m looking for a small device to plug it via optical that let them use Apple Music on their system.

What type or the name of the device would be?

Any suggestions?

Ideally, something we can plug and control via the iPhone would be great.

 

[sahnert]

I use the discontinued Airport Express for this purpose and it works for me. I start and manage playback on my phone or iPad and then use AirPlay to send the sound to the Airport Express connected to the stereo.

An AirPlay receiver device like the Belkin Soundform Connect would work that way also.

 

[gigatoaster]

Thanks. Looks like the Belkin doesn’t play hi-res.

I might need to go look for a Blusound but that sounds expensive. Any other alternatives, by any chance?

 

[Crunchynut]

Do you mean the stereo has many inputs, including optical in? And you want an Apple Music source with an optical out?

I have used two options for this.

Older generations Apple TV devices had optical out, but you are limited to 16/48. Also if you are browsing on your device whilst casting via Airplay, sometimes the device will randomly switch from your music to play an advertising video or something - very annoying.

There is also the iFi Zen Stream that can be streamed to by phone / iPad and output full hi-res via optical. This device works very well but is a bit pricey.

 

[gigatoaster]

Absolutely, I would need something to plug via optical to a "classic" amp to play Apple Music in hi-res and controllable by iPhone. Not sure it exists...

 

[Crunchynut]

IFI Zen Stream would need to be wired via cck and USB for hi res, but you can Airplay to it for 16/48. Where is your DAC - part of the stereo or do you need a DAC in the loop too?

 

[gigatoaster]

I would need a DAC/streamer I suppose. What do you think?

 

[Crunchynut]

Yes. I had assumed you had a DAC in the loop when suggesting the Zen Stream.

But I’m confused by your setup. If the amp has an optical in, which is a digital input, then it surely must have an onboard DAC else how does it generate an analogue signal?

 

[gigatoaster]

It has a DAC, indeed. But I just need a “box” to connect to it in order to play Apple Music. Hope that makes sense.

 

[BellSystem]

The best way to stream hi-res audio from Apple Music | Darko.Audio

The best way is the only way.

darko.audio

That spells it out.

 

[gigatoaster]

Thanks for sharing this article. Bottom line: it is useless to look for hi-res. Therefore, I am changing a little bit my request: how to play Apple Music on a device connected to a "classic amp"? Would a simple Bluetooth receiver do it, then?

 

[BellSystem]

Thanks for sharing this article. Bottom line: it is useless to look for hi-res. Therefore, I am changing a little bit my request: how to play Apple Music on a device connected to a "classic amp"? Would a simple Bluetooth receiver do it, then?

https://www.amazon.com/Bose-727012-1300-Bluetooth-Audio-Adapter/dp/B00NTUEDMY

That is the one I have used in this application before. Got it off eBay. Has the optical connection I need and was reliable. Looks better with a nice setup than some random cheap adapter from Amazon.

 

[Mr Mann]

Plug your iPhone/iPad into your amp using this
Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter

The Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter lets you connect devices with an audio jack to Lightning accessories. Buy now with fast, free shipping.

store.apple.com

and this



It sounds very good, and you get up to 24 bit 48 kHz (the equivalent of Airplay 2).

 

[gigatoaster]

That’s great and the cheapest. Thanks a lot for the suggestion

 

[dmr727]

That’s great and the cheapest. Thanks a lot for the suggestion

That's a good solution, but give some more thought to having them pick up a used 3rd Gen AppleTV. I picked mine up for about $30, and the convenience of being able to use AirPlay to connect to my amp is pretty great.