Hiya, not sure if this is in the right section, so please feel free to move. I have a relatively old Marantz that has a USB socket, whereby I can plug in a USB stick loaded with music and play it. I was wondering if there’s a Bluetooth dongle that I could plug in and use my iPad as a source, Spotify etc?
Hi @Freddy I have a Bluetooth dongle mate and they're ok. There's quite a few different ones on ebay to choose from wifi bluetooth usb dongle | eBay USB dongles - Cheap USB dongles Deals | Currys Plus Argos and amazon have a few
I'm a bit skeptical about the two solutions given so far. As far as I understand it, the Marantz is some kind of HiFi, amp or car stereo unit. I assume that it can read audio files stored on a usb pendrive, powered external hard drive and ipod/iphones connected via a usb cable. When connected, the Marantz unit may even support playback control from the ipod/iphone. So, I'm speculating that the client bluetooth dongle must mimic the usb cable and present the paired host (ie the ipad) to the Marantz unit as an attached drive device - which I don't think the dongle can do. An alternative solution would be to use a bluetooth receiver/audio decoder dongle connected to the AUX input on the Marantz (if there is one).
Yes, the Marantz is a receiver (amp/radio) that also has a usb input at the front. Into this a usb memory stick (containing mp3’s and other file types) can be inserted, to enable playback. As the iPad is equipped with Bluetooth, I was hopeful that there might be some way to connect the two, possibly via a dongle inserted into the usb socket on the Marantz. Seems like a non-starter. Thanks for the replies folks
I see Freddy, Presuming you Marantz is a compatible model you can connect via airplay on your network.
This is similar to the solution I suggested earlier but is not proprietary and it already exists as an addon device to buy. It is essentially a pair of bluetooth headphones with the speakers cut off and the wires soldered to a 3.5mm TRS aux plug.
I just re-read this bit... Yes, there’s an AUX input. Could you look that up for me? Not sure what you mean
It would be this that's needed then Freddy. Bluetooth Audio Adaptor Car or Stereo AUX Bluetooth: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
Yes, I would have chosen something like that myself. Since it has a built-in rechargeable battery, it would be wise to fully charge it using a quality DC 5V charger with a micro USB plug (eg a smartphone charger, or using the supplied USB cable connected to your PC or Marantz unit) before the first use. Then, every few weeks or so be sure to power cycle the battery (use the device until it automatically powers down then fully recharge it again). This will condition the battery and make it last longer. This addresses some of the reviews complaining about worn out batteries. Leaving the device permanently on charge while in use means that heat will be generated - this is what quickly kills the battery.
Thanks for those replies. It looks like a goer, although as yet I don’t have any speakers (thinking about Bose because of the small footprint). This would be mainly for the wife, who likes to listen to the radio, the Marantz has DAB - lots of choice, and Spotify for the times I want to use it.
I use a echo dot for internet radio Freddy, 1000s of free stations the echo dot is small and the speaker is good, You can also listen online on your ipad BBC Radio Bristol live stream, i find the dot handy for the garden but you need power and moving from room to room.