[Erik]

Here is an article with a breakdown, what Airplay combinations are lossless and which are not: Lossless AirPlay updates from Roon, Tidal and RoPieee | Darko.Audio

AirPlay 1 app mode –> AirPlay 1 endpoint  LOSSLESS
AirPlay 2 app mode –> AirPlay 1 endpoint  LOSSLESS
AirPlay 1 app mode –> AirPlay 2 endpoint  LOSSLESS
AirPlay 2 app mode –> AirPlay 2 endpoint  LOSSY

According to this article Apple AirPlay isn’t always lossless. Sometimes it’s lossy — but why? | Darko.Audio

The bottom line: it’s only when

1. the streaming app,
2. the iPhone/iPad model on which that app runs and
3. the streaming endpoint

are all AirPlay 2-equipped that the stream is lossy compressed to AAC 256kbps.

[Erik]

DT79 wrote:

Then if you go BS9000 to BS Core, you could also use a Beoremote One to control everything, as well as the app.

I have a Beo4 and was not planning on replacing it. If I only use the app, does the BS Core go to standby by itself when it is not in use?

DT79 wrote:
I honestly think these days where it comes to streaming and digital there’s not a lot to choose between any of these sorts of devices, but if you’re outputting analogue that’s where differences really come in.

That’s also my understanding. This is why I am interested in the performance of the DAC in the BS Core compared to the 3rd party streamers that don’t cost an arm and a leg, considering the tech in the BS Core is considerably older.

[Erik]

DT79 wrote:

I can say that the Core certainly isn’t letting the BL18s down!

Thank you for your input. Much appreciated.

I agree, the BL18 has to be superior to the BL8000. If the Core isn’t letting the BL18s down, then the Core is probably good enough for the BL8000s and a BL2.

For me the only question then remains, should I pay €650 for a used Core, when I can get a Cambridge Audio MXN10 for €500 (which is supposed to be better than the Wiim Pro Plus) or a Bluesound Node X for €700 (which is supposed to be better than the Cambridge Audio MXN10). In this regard I am only interested in sound. They all support Spotify and Tidal Connect, Google Cast and Apple Airplay which is enough functionality for my needs.

 

 

[Erik]

DT79 wrote:

I just got a s/h Beosound Core myself. I also have a Wiim Pro Plus in a different system. I haven’t compared them directly but Core > Transmitter 1 > BL18 + 19 definitely sounds a lot better than Wiim Pro Plus > Arcam AV9 > BL8000. so I can say that the Core certainly isn’t letting the BL18s down!

Could this be due to the fact that BL speakers don’t play well with 3rd party amps? I think I read that somewhere.

[Erik]

The further I go down this rabbit hole, the more I am inclined to invest a bit more to get better sound, than the Wiims have to offer.

I can buy a used Beosound Core for half the price of a new one. Does anybody know how the DAC in the BS Core compares to entry-level music streamers such as the Wiim Ultra Plus and Cambridge Audio MXN10?

[Erik]

XavierItzmann wrote:

e.a. Powerlink (PL) cable contains stereo sound, no matter the physical interface (round DIN or RJ-45 “ethernet”) It results therefore that sound coming from one PL outlet on Essence/Core/Converter contains all you need. If you, like me, need a pigtail to convert from RJ-45 to DIN, it does not matter if the pigtail is one-to-one, or if it bifurcates one-to-two. If you happen to acquire a bifurcating pigtail use one only, and connect to BL2. My ML/NL Converter and Essence both have two PL outs. I use only one.

Understood. Thank you.

[Erik]

XavierItzmann, thank you for the explanation. It is very much appreciated.

I think I will go for a Wiim Pro Plus and have it upstream of the BS 9000, like you suggested.

I understand my BS 9000 needs to be manually turned on to AUX-IN. It would be cool though, if there were a tech that could auto-sense an active Wiim and turn on the BS 9000.

[Erik]

Thank you very much @xavieritzmann for the response.

Important: why on earth do you have a «?» mark on your BS Core schematic?

Because I haven’t found instructions on how to connect three speakers to the BS Core. Is it the same; PL to BL2 and from there to the BL8000?

[Author]

Posts