Q: It's time to replace my old-school wired stereo, which plays CDs, cassettes and vinyl. I can use wired speakers again, but I would really prefer wireless. Is it true that Bluetooth does not do justice to vinyl records and CDs, and sound quality is lost when the signal is sent over Bluetooth? What would you recommend for a really good system (preferably wireless) to play my CDs, records and cassettes, and add streaming?
A: There is some quality loss over Bluetooth compared with a wired connection. Anytime you convert a signal there is potential for loss, and Bluetooth does not have enough bandwidth for a high-quality signal to sound its very best.
There are speakers with dedicated wireless transmission systems that outperform Bluetooth, and this is what you should be looking for. One of these systems is the Q Active 200 wireless speakers from Q Acoustics (qacoustics.com). I have tested it and can heartily recommend it to anyone who wants a no-compromise wireless system with spectacular sound.
The Q Active 200 speakers use a wireless input hub with connections for Ethernet, HDMI ARC, optical and RCA analog. The wireless and Ethernet connections can be used to access streaming sources via an app, and a CD or DVD player (DVD players also play CDs) will connect to the optical digital connection. You will need a $20 passive switch so you can connect both a turntable with a phono preamp and your cassette player to the single RCA input.
The stand-mounted Q Active 200 speakers use exotic Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) drivers to produce most of the sound, and this is one of the reasons I like them so much. A BMR driver is a large disc that moves in and out to produce the midrange, and the surface of the disc ripples to make the treble.
I have not heard a system using BMR drivers that did not offer top-shelf sound, and the Q Active 200 speakers are no exception. In fact, they are the best BMR-driver speakers I have ever heard. The sound is natural, precise and detailed, with fantastic stereo imaging that brings the musicians to life. The Q Active 200 speakers sell for $1,999, a fair price for the sound quality and convenience they offer. Dedicated stands are available for $499, but you can place them on other stands and surfaces, too.
The Music Hall MMF-1.5 turntable for $399 (or the LP Gear "Vessel Special" version for $499) has a built-in phono preamp and will do a fine job playing your records. New component cassette decks are extinct, but you can find a used one in good operating condition for under $200 on Craigslist, eBay or Amazon. If your current cassette deck still works I suggest just bringing it over to the new system. You can choose most any CD or DVD player with an optical connection ($60 and up), and it will work fine with the Q 200 wireless hub.
Send questions to Don Lindich at donlindich@gmail.com. Get recommendations and read past columns at soundadvicenews.com.
