Airplay Enabled A/V Receivers

[hugh]

Something to consider if you're looking for a new A/V Receiver this Christmas.

AirPlay (previously called AirTunes when it was for audio only is a proprietary protocol stack/suite developed by Apple Inc. that allows wireless streaming of audio, video, and photos, together with related metadata between devices.

Originally implemented only in Apple's software and devices, Apple has licensed the audio-streaming portion of the AirPlay protocol stack as a third-party software component technology to other manufacturer partners for them to use in their products in order to be compatible with Apple's iDevices.

Please add to the list.

[hugh]

Pioneer A/V Receivers with Airplay

• Pioneer A/V Receivers: VSX-1021, VSX-1121
• Elite A/V Receivers: VSX-50, VSX-51, VSX-52, VSX-53, SC-55, SC-57

[hugh]

Denon ($50 upgrade fee if you don't already have it)

• AVR-991
• AVR3311CI
• ACRA100
• AVR4311CI

Marantz (upgrade $50 or free on some models)

• M-CR603
• AV7005
• NA7004
• SR7005

[hugh]

Post removed. The topic of the thread is Airplay Enable A/V Receivers. It is not about Apple TV. Please add to the list or discuss your experience with such receivers.

[joudbren]

Originally Posted by hugh

Pioneer A/V Receivers with Airplay

• Pioneer A/V Receivers: VSX-1021, VSX-1121
• Elite A/V Receivers: VSX-50, VSX-51, VSX-52, VSX-53, SC-55, SC-57

You can also add the VSX-1126-K and VSX-1026-K to the list. Pretty sure these are Future Shop exclusive models but they are identical to the 1121 and 1021 models as far as I can tell. (1026 has an HDMI port on the front though that the 1021 does not have) Just posting this as there may be some confusion between the models as usual with these FS only part numbers. Neither Pioneer Canada or USA list the 1126 or 1026 on their website. The FS models also come with a standard 2 year warranty which I think is another FS exclusive for these.

The 1126 is a fabulous receiver so far in case anyone was wondering. Mine is connected via Cat5 Ethernet and I believe a connection (wired or wireless) to your network is required for Airplay. Pioneer Wireless adaptor is extra for the 1126 and is kinda pricey. ($150?) A friend of mine is testing a D-Link DAP-1350 portable wireless router in Client mode connected to the Ethernet port on his 1126 and so far so good connecting the receiver to his wireless network. It's only about $50 for the Dlink and I believe you can also use an Apple Airport Express wireless router/access point in the same way with the ethernet port on the receiver. Airport Express is $99. Keep ya posted on this as he just started testing it yesterday. Cheers!

EDIT: SC1526K and VSX-1326-K also support Airplay and look to be another couple of FS exclusives. These don't seem to be on the Pioneer websites either.

Update: Just followed up with my friend today and he says the Dlink DAP-1350 is working perfectly in client mode to connect his 1126 receiver to his wireless N network. He is now able to use the Pioneer iControlAV2 app on his smart phone and on his iPad to control the receiver. Memory Express in Edmonton and Calgary sell this for $50 currently and I'm sure you can find it for a similar price in your neck of the woods.

James

[supergenius]

All the new networked Denon receivers support Airplay. Starting at the AVR-1912 and includes the 2112CI, 2312CI, and 3312CI.

[remush]

These new Marantz receivers now come enabled with AirPlay

- SR6006
- SR5006
- NR1602

[Foxenhimr]

Hi Folks,

I was considering grabbing a Denon AVR 1912 for the updated audio formats, and was surprised to see it offered Apple Airplay. Could somebody explain what this does - am I to understand it allows for a wireless interface ( so I can control and play my my itunes library through the home theatre from my kitchen for instance ) between an Ipod Touch/ Iphone / Ipad - and that it also offers access to streaming internet radio/etc ? I was looking at one of the Sonos "Connect" units to do this, but perhaps the Apple Airplay does the same thing ?

Help/advice is appreciated !

[copernico]

It means that you'll be able to choose between hearing the sound of your Mac/iPod/iPhone either through its built-in speakers/headphones or through the AVR wirelessly. Really sweet.

[remush]

I usually stream from the iPad to the receiver using the Remote, TuneIn radio and Rdio apps, so there is plenty of streaming content available. There is some downsampling with airplay, if you care about lossless files. I have some 96 KHz ALAC files which only output at 44.1 KHz when using AirPlay from the Mac to the receiver.

[Foxenhimr]

Thanks remush - I hadn't even considered downsampling. I do have a lot of Apple lossless tunes...

Would the Sonos "Connect" option offer the same downsampling issue ?

[remush]

I don't think sonos will stream hir-res apple lossless, well at least the last time I checked.

What is your collection like? cd quality apple lossless 44/16 or higher resulotion? I believe AirPlay will covert everything to 44/16, so if your collection contains mostly these type of files then there is no issue. If however you want higher resolution audio then I think you have to use something other than AirPlay.

[Foxenhimr]

I had a quick look through my Itunes library and many of my tunes are at 256/320 bitrate, with 44.1 sample rate, so it sounds like Airplay will work for me..

[nobsplease]

2012 Yamaha receivers are now AirPlay enabled as well as being "Made for iPod".
RX V473 models upward and all of the RX Axxx versions; a Yamaha first.

[lastyear4gt]

No onkyo?