I am chasing a bluetooth receiver to plug into my audio system. Wondering if the $30 ish ones are worth it?

I want ideally corded not rechargeable, or USB charged so I can just bung an iPhone charger into it permanently(?)
Must have RCA output, to go into a 10y/o ish Yamaha amp which is a pretty sweet receiver.

Now whilst not a total audiophile I have a set of awesome irreplaceable collectable speakers so the system is capable of some verrry nice things. I lament the loss of such nowadays, as everyone plugs a phone into a poxy dock nowadays
But like I said, I am not an audiophile... just after 'nice enough' sound. CD quality

I figure if anything falls down with the bluetooth receivers, it is the DAC. Are the $30 units any good?
If the sound as good as, say, my 20y/o mid-range CD player (with integrated DAC like most, nothing special) then I'd be happy.

I'd be annoyed if it sounds a bit off, but I'd be pissed if the receiver spiked or had a funny unheard frequency output and killed my speakers..................

Comments?

Just took delivery of the Bose sound touch
Powers 4 speakers and acts as an amp, imho you carnt beat hard wired systems, this allows that but you have the simplicity of the Bluetooth via phone or tablet, I've set up an outside zone / alfresco and internal with enviro speakers,
My place dictates clean lines and needs to be concealed but imho you carnt beat the amp and normal speaker set up, also depends on if your into music or like surround sound for films and your type of music,
Just music for me ,

I couldn't find any that have an RCA output so spend $30 on one with a 3.5mm output jack and use a 3.5mm to RCA cable? www.blueantwireless.com/shop/au/index.php And another $10 on a cable, leave it plugged into power and job done.

Would you need to worry about the output of the Bluetooth receiver damaging the speakers if it still needs to run through the amp?

I wouldn't worry too much about the DAC quality. Audio over bluetooth uses a form of compression anyway, so it will never be CD quality.

It will be good enough though.

Just buy one from Jaycar and see how it goes.

I have one of their 12v powered bluetooth units for my car, and it works fine, but I have also bought two of the standalone battery powered ones. I think both of them had problems with a ground loop when charging them in a car, but if you are powering them from USB mains adapters, you won't have that problem.

I heard the same about bluetooth 2.0 loosing quality. I have a portable speaker using blue tooth and CS quality is not there. Are there any options using your wireless network to route the signal. I use a wireless connection for internet radio and it's CD quality. I have to redo my ditital copies of music to a lossless format to get the phone thing good.

Logitech do one for around $50
That should give a reasonable balance between price and quality
I have not heard it through a known system but If you get it from a good retailer you will be able return it if it doesn't preform as you expect.

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Mark _australia said..

Now whilst not a total audiophile I have a set of awesome irreplaceable collectable speakers so the system is capable of some verrry nice things.

Comments?

Avoid bluetooth then.

...if you have to look for aptX or A2DP standards on your receiver.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AptX
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bluetooth_profiles#Advanced_Audio_Distribution_Profile_.28A2DP.29

Buy a new amp with it built in. Your yamaha won't last much longer, I and a few mates have had them, none have one now, 10 years is more than expected unless you plan to do maintenance yourself.

^^ Really? known faults? What breaks down...?

Celestion speakers and a Cambridge audio amp
With Bluetooth
Sit back with a cold one , job done

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kiteboy dave said..
Buy a new amp with it built in. Your yamaha won't last much longer, I and a few mates have had them, none have one now, 10 years is more than expected unless you plan to do maintenance yourself.

Not all of them - my Yamaha RX-V480 (circa 1986) is still going strong after about 30yrs. Gets used daily for music, TV and movies in surround sound (Dolby Pro-Logic II). Saw one at Cash Converters for $80 without a remote - nearly bought it, but got a Yamaha RX-V420 which is a newer model for the patio...

Oh and FWIW - my Bose 301 series III from about 1985 are still going well - again with daily use.

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Mark _australia said..
^^ Really? known faults? What breaks down...?

It's been years since I gave mine away, so I'm not 100% sure I'm remembering right, I've had a few amps. I think it semi-worked, had issues turning on (was ok once on) and volume change crackles. I gave it and the matching 5 disc CD player away.

Thanks crew
I think I will try the Logitech one that is about $50 - $70 as reviews are good but still not CD quality apparently.

Failing that, a cheap $20 one from eBay connected to computer speakers and powered sub, for in the workshop. That might be acceptable.....

Hi Mark
I would like to hear how it works out
I think you might have to play with your amps EQ to get the Logitech sounding Ok
One of my beliefs with wireless audio is you need to have the amp and speaks tuned to the limitation of the wireless and the recorded format
Thats why I think the Sonos Play1 at $300 each are amazing value
Put one in your shed, set it up with the room tuning, with a smartphone and it will rival your main system.
Do yourself a favour and have a listen to one
Ps The JBL and Ultimate Ears Blue tooth speaks are also good options