Headless amplifier

[GILow]

Hi all,

I’m kind of sick of using a car stereo in the boat. It’s always in Bluetooth mode and it always outputs to a pair of power amplifiers over RCA connections, so there’s no need to have it using up valuable panel realestate.

Can anyone recommend a headless Bluetooth unit that has good sound (it will be driving reasonable Tannoy Reveal studio speakers and an Aaron 110 sub) a decent graphic equaliser (yeah, I know, purists are flinching at this point but the fact is boat acoustics need SOME compensation) and maybe a decent control app via a smartphone etc. It does not need to drive the speakers directly, I’d rather it just had line level outputs to the amplifiers.

I’ve been looking at a few being used by the classic car restoration guys and, understandably, the focus seems to be on compactness and interoperability rather than sound quality.

Matt

[rslifkin]

What about sticking with the car stereo idea, but get one that has a good remote control app for a phone. Then you can stash the stereo somewhere out of the way as you'll only need to touch it occasionally.

It looks like Fusion has a couple of black-box options like you're thinking: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/520066 and https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/690864/pn/010-02346-00

[Reefstick]

GILow,
I have been using this exact item for just that.

Bluetooth Audio Adapter for Music Streaming Sound System, Esinkin Wireless Audio Adapter Works with Smartphones and Tablets, Wireless Adapter for Speakers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016NUTG5K

Luck to you in your quest.
Reef

[GILow]

Originally Posted by Reefstick

GILow,

I have been using this exact item for just that.



Bluetooth Audio Adapter for Music Streaming Sound System, Esinkin Wireless Audio Adapter Works with Smartphones and Tablets, Wireless Adapter for Speakers

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016NUTG5K

Luck to you in your quest.

Reef

That looks exactly like one sold by Logitech. Good unit, but if it is the same then it has none of the features I need in terms of graphic equaliser or an app to program it.

[GILow]

Originally Posted by rslifkin

What about sticking with the car stereo idea, but get one that has a good remote control app for a phone. Then you can stash the stereo somewhere out of the way as you'll only need to touch it occasionally.

It looks like Fusion has a couple of black-box options like you're thinking: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/520066 and https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/690864/pn/010-02346-00

The hidden car stereo makes a good plan B, though I’ve yet to find one with a decent remote app.

I’ll check out the Garmin stuff, thank you.

[s/v Jedi]

I have been going back and forth over this so many times…

But I made up my mind and I will remove everything I have aboard now and replace it with a pair of KEF LSX-II speakers.

Besides all streaming options incl. AirPlay 2, it also supports a fiber optic from TV or projector so that you get synced audio without needing extra soundbars etc.

It has the apps and support subwoofers too. Tuning the system is done with the app or iirc with controls on the back of a speaker.

As always, my options tend to be on the pricey side
https://nl.kef.com/pages/lsx-2

[GILow]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

?…



As always, my options tend to be on the pricey side

https://nl.kef.com/pages/lsx-2

I think it is generally accepted that the value of the boat should be equal to or greater than the value of the onboard audio system.

Just saying. [emoji28]