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Bluetooth Receiver & Transmitter BR-T7 (AVANTEK)
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When I accepted this brilliant piece of kit for testing, I did not realize just how versatile it is. Packaging is neat and unfussy. In the small box, as well as the device itself, are a very short 3.5 mm audio cable (about 4 inches long), a good-quality USB cable with a micro connector for charging the internal battery, and a very clear manual in English and German.
The idea is to create Bluetooth connectivity with equipment that is not so equipped; all you need is a 3.5 mm audio port (the place where you would plug in your earphones). There are many similar gadgets around, however, where this tiny device really shines is that it has a dual mode: it is both a Transmitter and a Receiver. The booklet explains very extensively how to use in each mode, but basically TX is Transmitter mode and RX is Receiver mode and there is a simple slider on the side to switch from one to the other. As per instructions, I plugged it in for an initial charge which took maybe two hours (using a USB wall charger). |
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In use, I found it to be very dependable and very easy to pair in both modes. Battery life and range are as advertised. For my purposes, a once-weekly charge is all that is required. The sound is surprisingly loud and very clear, and it can be regulated from the source. Sound quality will depend on the source but I was surprised by the complexity and layering that emerged.
I'm really impressed with this excellent, invaluable device. With it I can listen through headphones to my vinyl records, or play music from my pc (which does not have Bluetooth) while I exercise, without disturbing anyone else around me, or take the sound with me on the terrace. A very successful solution to integrate your old favourite equipment with newer technology. The quality is well up to the standards I have come to expect from Avantek. In my experience, all their products have been faultless: reliable, easy to use, and well built.
I'm really impressed with this excellent, invaluable device. With it I can listen through headphones to my vinyl records, or play music from my pc (which does not have Bluetooth) while I exercise, without disturbing anyone else around me, or take the sound with me on the terrace. A very successful solution to integrate your old favourite equipment with newer technology. The quality is well up to the standards I have come to expect from Avantek. In my experience, all their products have been faultless: reliable, easy to use, and well built.
Bluetooth Stereo Transmitter TT-BA06 (TaoTronics) |
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Another brilliant piece of kit from TaoTronics. In my experience so far, all their products have been winners: solidly built, easy to use, reliable. This tiny little gadget adds Bluetooth connectivity to all sorts of older sound-making devices that have a 3.5 mm audio output (the place where you would plug in your earphones). Also supplied are a very short 3.5 mm audio cable, a 3.5 mm RCA cable with a female connector, a USB flat-style cable with a micro connector for charging the internal battery, and a clear manual in six languages.
The initial charge took an hour (using a USB wall charger) and then I plugged the TT-BA06 into my Auna vinyl record player and started pairing it with everything Bluetooth I could think of: TaoTronics headset, TaoTronics Donut Code speaker, and other Bluetooth speakers by LuguLake, Aukey, Inateck and MonsterCube. They all connected perfectly. Operation is very simple: connect the transmitter to your audio source (TV, computer, hi-fi system), hold down the ON “tongue” for 6 seconds, until the blue and green LED lights start to flash alternatively. Put your intended Bluetooth device in pairing mode and that's it. |
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If you were slow with the second device, you may need to switch off and repeat, but I only had to do that once. The sound is surprisingly loud and very clear, almost too sharp, but it can be regulated from the source. In my case, I turned up the bass on the Auna. Sound quality will reflect the source but I was surprised by the complexity that emerged. I don't have a TV but I imagine that speech would sound very clear, if my experience is any indication. Then, I repeated the testing starting from my old pc which does not have Bluetooth and using the USB cable instead of the audio cable. Similar amazing results.
Once paired, the transmitter remembers and the next connection is even faster. You only need to repeat the pairing after plugging it into a USB port (either for recharging or to use with a computer) as this reboots the transmitter. The range is very good, although the sound cut out when I left the room and put a thick stone wall between the transmitter and my Bluetooth receiver. Across clear space, the range is easily 10 metres. I'm really impressed, and delighted to have been given the opportunity to test and review this excellent, invaluable device. I can now listen to my vinyl records, or play music on my old pc while I exercise, without disturbing anyone else around me, or take the sound with me on the terrace. A very successful solution to integrate your old favourite equipment with newer technology.
Sample provided for review purposes
Once paired, the transmitter remembers and the next connection is even faster. You only need to repeat the pairing after plugging it into a USB port (either for recharging or to use with a computer) as this reboots the transmitter. The range is very good, although the sound cut out when I left the room and put a thick stone wall between the transmitter and my Bluetooth receiver. Across clear space, the range is easily 10 metres. I'm really impressed, and delighted to have been given the opportunity to test and review this excellent, invaluable device. I can now listen to my vinyl records, or play music on my old pc while I exercise, without disturbing anyone else around me, or take the sound with me on the terrace. A very successful solution to integrate your old favourite equipment with newer technology.
Sample provided for review purposes