Playmaker VS Airport Express

24 replies
hadraktas
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hadraktas
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Posted August 4, 2013 at 15:59 GMT
#1999109

Hello everyone,

I have a pair of BeoLab 6000 and I would like to be able to stream music over WiFi to the speakers. I know that the "B&O" way would be to get a Playmaker and indeed I wouldn't think twice about it... IF it had a better design. But in its current form, I can't say that the Playmaker is something that I would proudly display on my home and I don't really care for DLNA connectivity since I only use AirPlay anyway. So why spend close to five times more for something that will remain hidden anyway?

My only "concern" is about sound quality since I read somewhere that (the newer versions of) Airport Express use a low-quality DAC and thus that Playmaker has a significantly improved performance over AE (if you use the analog connection). Since I have no way to test both, I would like to hear your opinion on the matter. Playmaker is not that expensive (in B&O terms at least) but why not save if possible?

Thanks in advance for your help and insights!

PS: I don't really care about the ability to control the speakers with a Beo4/5 either, just the sound quality

Millemis
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Millemis
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 17:37 GMT
#1999110

I changed my AirPortExpress to a Playmaker to get rid of the DAC, that I needed on the APE to get a decent sound from it.

But that wasn't the only reason, so maybe it is not enough for you to choose the Playmaker.

As always my advice would be to test it in your combination at home!

N.B. With the Playmaker you can use the PowerLink connections as they are - and you can daisy-chain from one 6000 to the other.

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

P(
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Puncher (archived2)
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 17:40 GMT
#1999111

I don't think there is any doubt that the sound quality from the Playmaker is superior to the Airport Express. If that's your only criteria then the Playmaker is the obvious choice however I would also search the forums and ask other owners about the reliability of the Airplay connection. I have read that some people mention dropouts etc. I'm not an owner and so can't comment on the frequency of occurrence or whether it would be often enough to be a nuisance in use.

R(
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Raeuber (archived2)
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 18:35 GMT
#1999112
I would test both at home with BL 6000. Although DAC in Playmaker is better than in AE, I doubt you will hear the difference quite clear with BL 6000 (with BL 5 I wouldn't doubt).

Greetings

Räuber
hadraktas
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hadraktas
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 19:03 GMT
#1999113

It is difficult to test both since I don't own an Airport Express. I'm sure my B&O dealer would not object to me testing it on my setup, but i'm not sure they would be as understanding in the Apple store.

It seems like I will be going towards the Playmaker (playing it safe). Thanks for all the prompt suggestions/opinions!

R(
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Raeuber (archived2)
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 19:35 GMT
#1999114
You can order an Airport Express at Amazon and send it back if you don't like it.
B(
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Beofan53 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 20:16 GMT
#1999115
I would prefer the Playmaker. Not only for the better DAC but also for the volume-control.

This is very important, otherwise you could damage your speakers. Just be carefull with an AEE without volume-control. The Playmaker can act as a perfect pre-amplifier.

Edit: with the Playmaker you can add an extra source via the line-in sockets.
P(
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PLom (archived2)
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 20:19 GMT
#1999116

I changed an Airport Express out for the Playmaker, and there is a significant change in the quality of the sound. Significantly better with the Playmaker. I use it with a BeoSound 2300 and Penta MkIII speakers, I think you will have no problems hearing the difference even with the BeoLab 6000s. I agree, the looks and quality of the build of the Playmaker is not of the usual B&O standard, but you can hide the Playmaker in a cabinet. I've had no problems with dropouts of Airplay.

Cheers,   -Peter

FL
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flere
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 21:47 GMT
#1999117
I have a PM wired to a TimeCapsule. So the PM does not do wifi itself, thats taken care of by the TC.

No drop outs.

Excellent sound.

The PM is connected to a pair of BL9.

-F

M(
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moxxey (archived2)
Bronze
Posted August 4, 2013 at 22:52 GMT
#1999118

Flere wrote:
I have a PM wired to a TimeCapsule. So the PM does not do wifi itself, thats taken care of by the TC.

No drop outs.

Sadly I get long and annoying dropouts all the time from my Playmaker. It's quite poor over wifi. And, yes, I have a Time Capsule. The three AE's in my home never have any dropouts and are all further from the router. 

But....the sound quality is superb. Far exceeds that of the AE. The difference is audibly obvious on the first play.

My advice would be to get a PM, but consider using a powerline connector, with ethernet, rather than wifi.

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