Efficient amplifier feature theoretically advantageous yet seldom beneficial in real applications
Modern Stereo Amps Embracing the Digital Age
Amplifier manufacturers are keeping pace with the times, enhancing their analogue connections with digital ones. This digital shift is facilitated by DAC chips and other digital circuitry, offering hi-fi enthusiasts greater flexibility in connecting today's digital equipment. Even industry legends like Rega have hopped on the digital bandwagon, confident that it doesn't significantly compromise their renowned sound quality.
In my experience, the sound quality of digital outputs in integrated amps has noticeably improved, but I'm less persuaded by the digital craze - particularly Bluetooth.
More and more amplifiers, often in the budget and midrange markets, integrate Bluetooth, making it possible to stream music wirelessly from smartphones, music players, or tablets without an internet connection. This convenience has turned these devices into portable music sources on their own. Just stream your locally stored songs or tunes from a streaming service with a few touchscreen taps.
Is it convenient? Absolutely! But convenience shouldn't come at the expense of sound quality. Striking the right balance is crucial.
In my opinion, the sound quality drop when you switch from wired connectivity remains almost as significant as it was years ago. Furthermore, Bluetooth streaming isn't even as convenient as streaming over a wi-fi network, which has the potential to offer better sound quality due to its greater bandwidth capability and higher-quality transmission technologies like Chromecast, AirPlay, Tidal Connect, and Qobuz Connect.
My colleagues and I have emphasized in numerous reviews over the years that Bluetooth integration is just passable for infrequent, casual, or background use. Despite incremental improvements in Bluetooth codecs, this perception hasn't changed.
For instance, our review of the Arcam A15, which sets the performance benchmark at its price point, indicates that Bluetooth fails to match any of the wired inputs in outright sound quality, and it remains good enough for casual listening – that's about as much as we can ask for.
During our recent tests, the Bluetooth input was the least preferable option, significantly trailing the wired inputs. This led me to disregard its presence post-check. Why invest a significant sum, or even half that cost, on an amplifier and accept such an unnecessary downgrade, even infrequently? A budget music streamer can serve as a cheaper gateway to high-quality network streaming.
While Bluetooth integration is neat and easy, I believe it's an unnecessary addition in a product as significant as an amplifier. It feels more like a box to tick off on a spec sheet than a meaningful integration.
MORE:
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Sources:
- https://www.whathifi.com/news/best-bluetooth-receivers-you-can-buy-new
- https://www.whathifi.com/tutorials/what-is-aptx-hd-and-how-does-it-work
- https://audiophileonly.com/tfa-9890-amplifier-review/
- https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/bluetooth-headphones/guide/what-is-aptx-hd-wireless-headphones-and-why-do-you-care/
- https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/signal-to-noise-ratio-SNR
- Amplifier manufacturers are integrating DAC chips and digital circuitry to cater to the demand for hi-fi equipment that supports digital connections, adapting to the digital age.
- A growing number of budget and midrange amplifiers now offer Bluetooth connectivity, enabling wireless streaming from smartphones, music players, or tablets without internet connection, transforming them into portable music sources.
- High-quality sound streaming services, such as Tidal and Qobuz, can be accessed via Wi-Fi networks, delivering better sound quality than Bluetooth due to its greater bandwidth capability and higher-quality transmission technologies.
- In personal opinion, the drop in sound quality when switching from wired connectivity remains almost as significant as it was years ago, even with the advancement of Bluetooth codecs.
- In numerous reviews, it has been emphasized that Bluetooth integration is just passable for infrequent, casual, or background use, and its presence in an amplifier might be considered unnecessary.
- In evaluating the Arcam A15, its Bluetooth input trailed significantly behind the wired inputs, suggesting that investing in Bluetooth-enabled amplifiers may not be worthwhile, even when cost is a concern.
- Despite the convenience of Bluetooth, sources such as WHAT HIFI recommend considering standalone Bluetooth receivers or budget music streamers for better sound quality and a more cost-effective gateway to network streaming.
- The sleek Evo 150 SE by Cambridge Audio, known for its streaming amps, offers a fully-featured streaming experience, exemplifying a trend towards advanced technology integration in modern audio equipment.
