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rastus
1391
Nov 28, 2018
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So how are you actually getting aptX level BT out of the iPhone... that does not support aptX? https://www.aptx.com/products?field_product_category_tid=126
Nov 28, 2018
KESM
201
Nov 28, 2018
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rastusEh-hem...allow me to clarify. My intent wasn’t to mislead. That is...I wasn’t implying that I’m receiving or sending aptx codec from or to any device. I don’t know what BT codec I’m sending or hearing. But honestly....does anyone know with any consistency? I mean...there’s the varying codec & enough marketing confusion to go around...& then there’s what you hear as an individual. 🤔 I’m simply listing the specific equipment in my ever changing workspace set up (currently pictured) & relaying how it sounds ‘wired’ to me. I concluded this after switching between my cables & the BT adapters. By no means is this a scientific approach or conclusive from a test protocol; just plug & play...unplug & play...which is subjected to my memory recall between switching from the cables & reconnecting the BT adapters. I’m not familar with the varying levels of audio codec & the associated bottlenecks in the signal chain. I can only say...to my ears...man oh man...this set up is a go! That is...when I switch from wired to wireless, in this set up, I honestly don’t hear any real difference in the signal quality (wired or wireless). Maybe it’s a placebo effect...who knows? All things working together...in this circuit...sounds wonderfully bold & sublime! It’s down right hilarious to have that level of SQ coming from such a dimumitive set up. Astonishing in my view. And to hear SQ on this level untethered...is surreal. I’ve lived through the era of record players & vinyl, 8 track tape decks...cassettes in boom boxes, & CDs being played in portable walkmans (yes...that was a thing🤣)....early MP3 players without user interface screens, & iPODs....I’ve experienced it all to date. Head fi & music streaming are my interests of late. My focus here was to share my desktop set up (BT journey @ work) & how it’s equally comparable to a (my) wired set up (from my own experience). To be able to hear life-sized-tower-speaker-stereo, from small scale equipment, over BT is remarkable. This may be significant for those of us who don’t work remotely from home...yet still desire to spend our days listening to hifi music @ our desk space—-while roaming a few feet away to the printer.🥴 Note: Here’s an interesting article on audio codec for those interested. Audioholics link regarding BT codec: https://www.audioholics.com/audio-technologies/bluetooth-audio-guide/page-2
Nov 28, 2018
rastus
1391
Nov 28, 2018
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KESMNo prob, I was hoping for magic!!;) I want a new iPhone but pissed that Apple still holding out on aptX... they did not invent it...;( We use BT in the kitchen and love the convience, and sounds fine along with the fridge hummmmm. Solid state cooling is coming... May just get a tablet and keep it there to get aptX... when playing from my wife’s Samsung it is better, detail comes in. Thanks for the response.
Nov 28, 2018
KESM
201
Nov 28, 2018
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rastusAll is good rastus. I agree. Apple is seemingly becoming less consumer friendly....& more expensive while trimming universal features. It also doesn’t help that BT devices have varying degrees of audio codec. And that’s an understatement of sorts.🤪 Anyway...try different things as you suggest...you may be surprised @ what you discover (hear) in your own environment. That’s part of the fun to me. Good luck to you & yours!
Nov 28, 2018
rastus
1391
Nov 28, 2018
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KESMInterestingly the BT codec allows it to use/control the WiFi spectrum, crossover tech sorta, I wish this becomes employed soon. Oh wait,,, convenience and features for the consumer,,, for capabilities already built-in their devices,,, like broadcast radio,,, ok - but how do we charge for it??
Nov 28, 2018
Denden
32
Nov 29, 2018
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rastusAptX isn't really any better than AAC so just use a bluetooth receiver that supports AAC like the ES100, BTR3 etc. I personally use an ES100 and AT-PHA55BT but I like the ES100 more because it's more powerful.
Nov 29, 2018
rastus
1391
Nov 29, 2018
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Denden
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Have a no-name ChiFi BT upgraded with a MUSES02 op-amp, that accepts aptX, and yes you can hear the difference between an iPhone or a Samsung with aptX. No, it is not big, just a bit more detail, would like to hear aptX HD or the Sony LDAC...
Nov 29, 2018
rastus
1391
Nov 29, 2018
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DendenI should mention that I do not use 'digital' volume control as a rule in BT. Which turns into a "dumb it down" volume control. Devices are usually set to ~95-100% and volume is controlled at the final analog amp, a wonderful little cap-modded APPJ PA0901A 12AX7/EL84 SET (various NOS tubes) driving Klipsch RB-61 II's. This is critical in trying to evaluate between BT transmission codes. Different devices, do different things, in the digital volume control world,, some worse/some better - all not to SQ's benefit, why you start seeing gangs of relays etc. I got into BT audio from a request, it is a compromise,, but you can make it sound quite nice, much better than some painful stuff I have been subjected to at other homes... What goes on in a BT setup for volume control depends on the actual hardware and code aptX etc,, best to test a rig at different "volume" source settings. Lots of articles on this subject, a link for one: https://www.soundstageultra.com/index.php/features-menu/general-interest-interviews-menu/311-what-s-wrong-with-digital-volume-controls
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Nov 29, 2018
Denden
32
Nov 29, 2018
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rastusWell that’s probably because it doesn’t support AAC so it defaults to SBC when paired with an Iphone. Either that or placebo. SBC is just a muddy mess to my ears. Transfer rate isn’t the end all be all. AAC is very transparent @ 256k. Some would say it’s better than AptX but I wouldn’t go that far. The ES100, BTR3, AT-PHA55BT supports all codec including LDAC. IIRC all android phones running oreo supports LDAC. EDIT: Imo, the ES100 is the best bluetooth receiver. It supports all codecs, has an accompanying App, 14 hour battery life, has a 2.5mm balanced out, can be used as USB dac. The build quality can be better but mine held up really well. It is dead silent as well. No bluetooth hiss! 🙂
Nov 29, 2018
Denden
32
Nov 29, 2018
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rastusI thought we’re talking about codecs but now we’re talking about volume control? 😂 My ES100 have an analog volume control.🙂
Nov 29, 2018
Denden
32
Nov 29, 2018
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rastusCheck out this very interesting documentation from Radsone(makers of ES100) about analog volume control. It’s a very interesting read. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/fb72a4_a6a76213617c46c38213e298784bff55.pdf
Nov 29, 2018
mindhead1
599
Nov 29, 2018
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Denden+1 for the ES100. It's an impressive device and works great with my MD Noble Luxe, Klipsch X11i, MD Pinnacle PX, Grado SR80 and V-moda m100. It's making a BT convert of me. BT capability is a must have more my next desktop DAC.
Nov 29, 2018
rastus
1391
Nov 29, 2018
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DendenYes, saw that analog chip for the volume out in the ES100, nice, not all (old) devices have that. Mentioning volume here in code evaluation as it plays a part, that most do not pay attention to. I come home and hear what sounds not right, and find my wife's phone volume turned all the way down and the amp way up... My little ChiFi BT DAC has a CSR8670 in it,, of some rev... so I believe I run AAC... with the iPhone, it, specs, say I do;) I really don't want it to sound better with a Samsung, because it is not my phone;) but it really does sound better,,, but then why-o-why does a new Note 9 from them not have atpX HD??? Comes down to paying Qualcomm money... As I mentioned earlier, the solution is there for me, get a used phone like a LG with aptX HD, no tablets available with HD,, and leave it bumping around in the kitchen as a player choice... Bought my little BT on a stripped down kitchen budget for $75 off the bay,,, and then put a $46 MUSES02 op-amp into it,,, go figure... all these other choices were not around then,, in my defense... The ES100 is new to me, looks quite capable, and nicely priced as well, thanks for the introduction.
Nov 29, 2018
Denden
32
Nov 29, 2018
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rastus"My little ChiFi BT DAC has a CSR8670 in it,, of some rev... so I believe I run AAC..." Do you know the manufacturer and model number of said BT receiver? "but then why-o-why does a new Note 9 from them not have atpX HD?" I believe that all flagship modern android phones(Note9, LG G4, LGV30 etc.) supports LDAC. You said before that you have a Samsung phone. May I know which one because it might support LDAC? If it does then your best bet is to get the ES100 for the best possible bluetooth listening experience. :D
Nov 29, 2018
rastus
1391
Nov 29, 2018
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DendenMy wife just got a note 9 on black Friday, I was allowed to hold it yesterday;) So it has LDAC capability eh? I now see on blogs that folks expect a software update, that will include aptX HD at some point. I was not a part of the decision process, not an android fan after watching years of growing pains, not really an Apple fan, just chose it - or did it choose me... when my Razor broke years ago... Now a reason though to look at updating the BT DAC, which is a JC-SQ1-HIFI, with a MUSES02, real/not fake mind you;) https://www.ebay.com/itm/HIFI-Bluetooth-DAC-Decoder-Wireless-Audio-Receiver-APT-X-Fiber-coaxial-amp-/272547298703 This little BT unit has great bile...
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Nov 29, 2018
EcchiWhale
110
Nov 30, 2018
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DendenBTR3 is amazing. Tiny enough to fit anywhere and connects seamlessly. And Fiio made it so it's affordable.
Nov 30, 2018
mindhead1
599
Nov 30, 2018
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EcchiWhaleDoes the BT3 have an app for EQ and other sound shaping adjustments? The app is primary reason why I chose the ES100. I was looking to pick up the Bluewave Get. I don’t think the BT3 was available at the time.
Nov 30, 2018
EcchiWhale
110
Nov 30, 2018
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mindhead1Just checked, the app doesn't have eq settings. Although you can change codecs pretty easily. Edit: it's planned for a future update including lowpass filter options.
Nov 30, 2018
jonRock
150
Nov 30, 2018
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KESM
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Starting with Android 9.0 you get to choose what Bluetooth codec you want to use. It's in the developer options menu. To unlock the developer options menu you click on your" build number" 5 times in the "about phone" section of your settings menu. Of course in order for you to switch codecs, your BT device needs to be compatible with it. I'm streaming music to my Sound Blaster E5 through AptX right now. Sounds pretty good.
Nov 30, 2018
ElectronicVices
2937
Dec 5, 2018
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rastusI have owned the ES100 for a while now, it supported AptXHD before the LDAC update. Your phone must be compatible and the last time I looked that list was still fairly small. LG V20 was the first phone I know of with AptXHD and it certainly got me to back bluetooth more. Once my V20 got LDAC I updated the firmware on the ES100 and the difference between AptXHD and LDAC is noticeable. Maybe only 5-10% between LDAC on the ES100 vs. direct connect to my V20 with the Noble K10. LDAC is a battery hog on both sides of the equation. I don't agree with any of the comments that codec and source file are no longer the key determining factor in bluetooth fidelity. Edit: So everyone's clear, LDAC is not lossless compression (all BT codecs are lossy). It's just a lossy compression format with a much higher data bandwidth to be able to handle higher bit rate files without crushing the "soul" of the file.
Dec 5, 2018
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