New Belkin Airplay 2 device

[Jazz]

Belkin Airplay 2 device https://www.belkin.com/us/adapters/...nect-audio-adapter-with-airplay-2/p/p-auz002/
I wonder what DAC it will have for 3.5 analog?

 

[zym1010]

I placed an order today, planning to feed my Genelecs via its Optical.

 

[Kegemusha]

If you have an iphone and play spotify, can you use this? (I dont have iphones so that is why I ask, but is for a family member)

 

[Jazz]

If you have an iphone and play spotify, can you use this? (I dont have iphones so that is why I ask, but is for a family member)

Yes.

 

[Raindog123]

You can get it through Amazon prime too. ’Temporarily out of stock’ though…

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094LGLJB9/

 

[Raindog123]

I wonder what DAC it will have for 3.5 analog?

I am also curious what DAC chip does it use?

 

[Taddpole]

If it's not supporting the new lossless is it destined for the bargain bin sooner rather than later?

 

[Zensō]

If it's not supporting the new lossless is it destined for the bargain bin sooner rather than later?

From the product page: "Our Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 supports CD-quality sample rates of 16-bit, 44,100 Hz (44.1 kHz) resolution."

 

[Raindog123]

The marketing pics claim it supports '44.1/16' So my hope is it can receive and play unmodified 44.1/16 streams from either Qobuz or Tidal iDevice app...

 

[Zensō]

A Raspberry Pi 4 in a Flirc case running RopieeeXL is AirPlay compatible (via Shairport-sync), less expensive, and has USB out. Which is better depends upon your needs, I guess.

 

[Taddpole]

From the product page: "Our Audio Adapter with AirPlay 2 supports CD-quality sample rates of 16-bit, 44,100 Hz (44.1 kHz) resolution."

Airplay 2 had that spec even before the announcement though.

And the lossless goes higher than that.

 

[zym1010]

A Raspberry Pi 4 in a Flirc case running RopieeeXL is AirPlay compatible (via Shairport-sync), less expensive, and has USB out. Which is better depends upon your needs, I guess.

I believe one reason to buy the new Belkin dongle is that AirPlay 2 has better handling on buffering?

 

[Zensō]

Airplay 2 had that spec even before the announcement though.

And the lossless goes higher than that.

Yup, there will be some small quantity of "hi-res" available, but from what I've read it's likely to be a small percentage of the catalog. Looking at the quantity of tracks available in hi-res on Tidal and Qobuz, I'd guesstimate <10%. The more important question, I think, is whether anyone can actually hear the difference between Redbook and hi-res. The studies seem to say "no".

 

[Zensō]

I believe one reason to buy the new Belkin dongle is that AirPlay 2 has better handling on buffering?

True, though I've never once encountered a need for larger buffers using Airplay 1 or Shairport-sync, so I don't know if it's a real advantage or not. I'd be curious to hear if anyone has had buffer issues with either. Perhaps it helps if you're dealing with a spotty wifi connection?

 

[MZKM]

I believe one reason to buy the new Belkin dongle is that AirPlay 2 has better handling on buffering?

And a Pi is not something you recommend to the general public.

 

[Zensō]

And a Pi is not something you recommend to the general public.

True.

 

[Taddpole]

Yup, there will be some small quantity of "hi-res" available, but from what I've read it's likely to be a small percentage of the catalog. Looking at the quantity of tracks available in hi-res on Tidal and Qobuz, I'd guesstimate <10%. The more important question, I think, is whether anyone can actually hear the difference between Redbook and hi-res. The studies seem to say "no".

As this device was planned before the announcement and they don't make clear what it can play at 16/44 I'd be cautious.

Not sure where you've read that only small percentage will be available btw.

 

[zym1010]

True, though I've never once encountered a need for larger buffers using Airplay 1 or Shairport-sync, so I don't know if it's a real advantage or not. I'd be curious to hear if anyone has had buffer issues with either. Perhaps it helps if you're dealing with a spotty wifi connection?

Thanks. I think you raised a good point. Historically I felt iTunes to HomePod stereo has been extremely flaky (even after HomePod got firmware upgrades); I previously attributed to bad experience partly to AirPlay 1 but maybe it was more due to HomePod. Let me try things like https://www.airserver.com/ and see how it works. If it works fine I can return the Belkin dongle.

 

[Wes]

what outputs does that belkin device have?

 

[Raindog123]

what outputs does that belkin device have?

'Optical and 3.5mm'