Spark alternative

[Geo]

When Spark is used, the audio signal is processed by the Phantom's hardware decoder.
The wifi + cpl bandwidth over Bluetooth is also better.
When Bluetooth is used, it's more like the music is streamed to the Phantom but sound processing was made by a software decoder aka codecs used by iTunes or other music players.

And the difference can be noticed ?

[daibaron]

Did you notice the background noise coming from the speaker when your Phantom is connected over Bluetooth and no audio is played ?
Bluetooth works fine with me when i'm not focused only on the music... but yes i can notice the difference and this does not mean i don't enjoy music over Bluetooth interface.

[Adams]

Mine have an annoying regular crackle sound when using Bluetooth


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Olivier4444]

As one of you suggested, I tried Roon (very nice indeed !). I send music by AIRPLAY to an Airport Express connected to one my Phantoms.
Besides the fact that AIRPLAY limits my Hi res files, I encounter a lot of drop outs probably due to
- the fact that my iMac is too far from the Airport Express (in another room)
- that Roon is still analyzing the songs

Would you suggest Aralic Aries instead of the Airport ?
Thanks in advance

[Olivier4444]

I think I got the answer for the drop outs with Airport Express : https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6853159?tstart=0

It appears that AE firmwares later than 7.6.1 create drop outs when using optical connection...

[PhenixS1970]

I hooked up a Sonos Connect into the optical of one of my golds.  Hard drive with my library is connected to my Asus router.  Sonos is on wifi and using the Sonos app I stream Tidal or my library. Works flawless and Sonos has a very intuitive and nice looking (ios) interface.

[Axel]

I think Sonos is brilliant and have several different types all over the house.  The only drawback is that it won't handle hi-res files. There was supposed to be a game changing announcement from them a few days ago, but nothing materialised.