One of the best things about this industry is that it’s becoming more and more accessible to everyone all the time. When streaming first appeared as a viable source, it was only by spending a small fortune could you join the streaming ranks. While it is still possible to spend a pretty penny in your pursuit of streaming heaven, it’s also possible to make a small upgrade to your existing system and turn it into a full blown hi-fi streaming system! This is no sorcery, it’s pure innovation in the form of a Bluetooth adapter. There are quite a few of these to chose from, but we’ve narrowed it down to our favourite 5 – just for you!
It’s worth noting that, in order for these to work, you will need an existing system consisting of an amplifier and speakers, as well as a Bluetooth enabled device to stream from. But the vast majority of mobile phones and tablets, as well as modern laptops and PCs will be able to do this with ease. It’s a great way of bringing high fidelity streaming (and its infinite benefits) into your life, without breaking the bank, or enduring a massive system overhaul.
As upgrades go, this is a really effective one in a number of ways. So, without further ado, here are our favourites…
The Yamaha YBA-11 isn’t much to look at, but its a very cheap and very effective Bluetooth Aptc (lossless Bluetooth baby!) adapter that’s very easy to use, and really does the job in the sound department. The sound is impossible to differentiate from CD quality. It’s very small, it’s very light and its very discreet. Best of all it’s the cheapest adapter on this list at just £46.50, and it comes with Yamaha’s world famous assurance of quality. A great beginners piece of kit, and perfect if you want a quick fix!
A relative newcomer to the Bluetooth block, this cute little device is the QED uPLay Puck , aptly named as it’s pretty much exactly the same size and shape as a hockey puck! Although thankfully not quite as dense or heavy. The Puck boasts an impressive range of up to 10m and is compatible with any AptX enabled device. CD quality sound too, and all for just £59.95!
Does the Arcam miniBlink actually need an introduction? Or even an entry? Heck knows we go on about it enough. Let’s just say it’s awesome, it’s easy and it’s shaped like a pebble. It’s also one of our most popular items ever, let alone in this particular genre. Just read this if you want any more information, we literally write about it all the time. Everyone needs one of these, even if they only stream occasionally. At £100, it won’t hurt to get one as a back up to your usual hi-fi habits.
The QED uPlay stream is something of a hybrid device, that brings together the basic functions of a dedicated network streamer with a simple plug and play adapter. It enables you to stream from your devices in the same way that you would the other entries on this list, as well as play any files stored on network storage! It’s still fairly budget friendly (at just £149) and its sound quality is extraordinary, but it won’t take up much room, all the while offering some pretty unqiue benefits. It’s compatible with multi-room too!
Speaking of multi-room…
This is cheating a bit, but it goes a long way to demonstrate just how far you can take a bluetooth adapter! Team the Audio Pro WFD200 with the above, the RXD200 and you have more than just a wireless streaming system, you have a multiroom wireless system! And all for a combined spend of less than £225. A very cheap and very effective way of bringing wireless streaming to your entire house. It’s multi-channel too, and gets around any problems you may have with an older desk or laptop that doesn’t have Bluetooth pre-enabled. A very advanced and versatile mini system that will change the way you think about streaming forever, and still very budget friendly.