Topping BC3 Review (Bluetooth Receiver) & BT CODECs

[Koeitje]

This is actually a pretty good deal.

 

[dorirod]

I'd rather have LL AptX transmitter and an optical input as well as output

Test this one >

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NQ87RVT/ref=emc_b_5_i

I have that, don't care how well it will test it's unusable. It keeps forgetting my BTR3 and lack of physical buttons is a pain. I got it to use with my TV and headphones so I don't disturb my wife.

 

[imagidominc]

NEW PANTHER ALERT

 

[direstraitsfan98]

Is that a new panther? When did you acquire this specimen, Amir? Hes quite cute.

 

[GWolfman]

Thanks! I've tried switching codecs (in developer menu) on my Samsung Galaxy S9+ but I never get any indication it changes anything. Maybe my BT receiver only supports SBC? Is this done while playing audio or before? Does the particular app playing the content matter?

 

[GWolfman]

@amirm Do you still have any of the previously tested BT devices to see if LDAC works now that you have it figured out?

 

[LTig]

It has 2 volt output so should be good. I can't do sweeps and such with Bluetooth.

I can provide you with flac files which contain frequency sweeps, multitone signals and more. Just tell me the signal, its parameters (like frequency, amplitude, phase, ...), sample rate, bit depth and length. I'll send them via wetransfer to your email address.

 

[LTig]

The performance of this receiver (DAC and headphone out) is about what could reasonably be expected, it's not that expensive and just about clears the 16-bit hurdle, wich is the maximum of what most people are gonna ask of it. Compared to the other bluetooth receivers tested so far it seems like the best.

And the analog output is still better than all AVRs tested so far, I think.

 

[Matias]

Impressive unit.

 

[PeteL]

Wouldn't it be relevent to see the frequency response using these CODEC? Maybe IMD too, like "aptX with that stepped down response in frequencies above 5 kHz" I certainly see a step down in noise above 5K, It tells me not much about the quality of Encoding/decoding of each. A spectrogram of various reconstructed audio file could be interesting (I agree it's not a "measurment") Probably not material for a product review, but maybe if somebody here have the knowledge, will, and appropriate tools to dig on the subject.

 

[GWolfman]

Wouldn't it be relevent to see the frequency response using these CODEC? Maybe IMD too, like "aptX with that stepped down response in frequencies above 5 kHz" I certainly see a step down in noise above 5K, It tells me not much about the quality of Encoding/decoding of each. A spectrogram of various reconstructed audio file could be interesting (I agree it's not a "measurment") Probably not material for a product review, but maybe if somebody here have the knowledge, will, and appropriate tools to dig on the subject.

Was thinking about IMD as well.

 

[fieldcar]

If possible, can you test aptx-hd? It should actually be somewhere close to LDAC but I think its limited in bitrate, so I'm not completely sure how it compares.

 

[PeteL]

"Earlier it mentions that the source code for LDAC is part of the Android Open Source. Don't confuse this with it being fee. You still need to license the underlying patents from Sony or they can come after you. " In fact it's the same with AptX/AptX HD, It's always free for a source, you pay for the receiving end, android or else.

 

[amirm]

Is that a new panther? When did you acquire this specimen, Amir? Hes quite cute.

A kind member purchased it and sent it to me. It is a more rare one as I had not seen it before.

 

[amirm]

If possible, can you test aptx-hd? It should actually be somewhere close to LDAC but I think its limited in bitrate, so I'm not completely sure how it compares.

My Android phone doesn't support it. Would have to find a method to generate the stream.

 

[amirm]

I can provide you with flac files which contain frequency sweeps, multitone signals and more. Just tell me the signal, its parameters (like frequency, amplitude, phase, ...), sample rate, bit depth and length. I'll send them via wetransfer to your email address.

The file is not the issue. The issue is AP software being able to run that way asynchronously. For some tests it can, for others it cannot.

 

[amirm]

Thanks! I've tried switching codecs (in developer menu) on my Samsung Galaxy S9+ but I never get any indication it changes anything. Maybe my BT receiver only supports SBC? Is this done while playing audio or before? Does the particular app playing the content matter?

On my Samsung phone, it works both ways. Does the value stick when you change it? If the receiver does not support that codec, it reverts back to the codec that is available.

 

[amirm]

@amirm Do you still have any of the previously tested BT devices to see if LDAC works now that you have it figured out?

I do not unfortunately. They were loaner gear.

 

[GWolfman]

I can provide you with flac files which contain frequency sweeps, multitone signals and more. Just tell me the signal, its parameters (like frequency, amplitude, phase, ...), sample rate, bit depth and length. I'll send them via wetransfer to your email address.

For anyone watching (also @amirm if ever useful):
https://www.audiocheck.net/audiofrequencysignalgenerator_sweep.php

https://www.audiocheck.net/testtones_index.php

 

[GWolfman]

On my Samsung phone, it works both ways. Does the value stick when you change it? If the receiver does not support that codec, it reverts back to the codec that is available.

It reverts all the time; this was with my AVR.

I do have a BT RX in my car that has different color LEDs or flash rates depending on codec, I'll give that a try to see if any "stick".