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Turn your Ipod into a Wireless Music Server/Remote

I have not posted on Audiogon for several years since I have been very satisfied with my current system (Pass Labs, Gamut, Wadia, Martin Logan)

I recently discovered the Audioengine W2. This is an amazing component where a small wireless transmitter plugs into your Ipod dock and will stream music wirelessly from your Ipod to a receiver connected to your music system. It supports lossless quality music.

I amazingly purchased this item on Ebay for $70 however it sells retail for $169. I was skeptical when I hooked this up to my high end system. The only upgraded component that I used for hookup was a inexpensive monster miniplug to rca Y connector.

I was blown away! This thing reproduced music with huge dynamics, a big soundstage and clarity with absolutely no dropouts or degradation of sound quality. I am using an 80gb Ipod classic which has a warmer sound than my 5th generation 30gb Ipod video and sounds amazing. I rip cd's to my Ipod using AIFF lossless files via Itunes (IMO - the only way to go). These files are very large, but I can easily hear the difference through this setup!

Right now, I listen to music totally using my Ipod when listening to my system. Of course my Wadia cd player sounds better but not by much and this setup is soooo much more convenient.

So now I have 80 gbs of music at my fingertips at any time without having to get up and change single cd's.

Google Audioengine W2 for more info on this breakthough product!

Other amazing Ipod gadgets that I've been using for the music lover ....

- IQube Headphone Amp with Sennheiser headphones. The best out there for jazz, female vocals and classical. Expensive but worth it.

- Beats by Dr. Dre Headphones by Monster. These headphones have a built in amp and will blow your ears out(in a good way) with thumping high quality bass that's tight and never boomy. They also block out outside noise. Rock and Hip Hop music sounds amazing. Great for airplane travel and blows away the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones. Also expensive but worth it for certain music.

Ernie
ernio1
robr45's avatar
robr45
319 posts
 
Ernie, the apple tv can be controlled via an itouch/ iPhone without the need for a monitor. Software updates can be done over the pc. I set mine up with a tv- then brought it into my listening room and it hasent seen a video display since- almost a year.

Not to say what you are doing isn't great- but ATV is spectacular.
artmaltman
769 posts
 
JM, can you go into a little more detail on the nature of the loss of fidelity? I'm thinking of using AW1 in a number of situations. For my main audio system, I'd like to place my subwoofer in a portion of the room where running a cable to it would be awkward. Do you hear any loss of bass in the AW1? Does it roll highs? Sound grainy? or is the difference very slight?
Thank you.
Art
jmelvin
17 posts
 
Artmaltman .. in my system I hear no difference in bass. The loss of fidelity I detect is a bit of congestion in the mids and highs. It doesn't seem quite as refined. Soundstage is just a bit off as well .. although as I've stated, most acceptable for casual listening. My friends actually hear no difference (they were blown away) however, they would not consider themselves audiophiles. One of the reasons I took a chance on this product was because of the 30 day return policy .. and obviously it was a keeper for me.
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