New Zeppelin

[wgscott]

I have a Zeppelin in my bedroom with an Apple TV2 plugged into it. I was just looking at the B&W propaganda for the new airplay version, and it sounds like they are actually making it better:

 

In the digital world, the Digital to Analogue Converters (DAC) are vital for getting the best from high-quality drive units. On Zeppelin Air all inputs are up-sampled through the audiophile-quality 96kHz/24bit DAC, including wireless music using AirPlay®. This has the effect of lowering distortion, creating a smoother sound. There’s also the option for studio quality 24bit audio via the optical input.

 

Although I don't think you can stream 96kHz/24bit, it is nice to know you can pump it in with photons.

 

[Blu]

I really like the sound produced from the present Zeppelin, best of any iPod players I've heard so far, so hoping the new version is a step up, if so I will probably buy.

 

[tmornini]

Our engineers had a terrible audio system and wanted a better one.

 

I bought an Air on the spur of the moment when I saw it at an Apple store, right before heading out to vacation.

 

And, I figured, I should audition it before handing it over. So I took it on vacation with me!

 

I was *blown away* by the sound. I understand it *does* stream 96/24 as well, thought it's unclear to me how that's selected. Perhaps it's always 96/24?

 

In any case, the Zeppelin Air is, in my opinion, the best $600 audio value I've ever seen. Portable, wireless audiophile bliss. :-)

 

[wgscott]

I love being wrong.

 

Cool.

 

[dave_kiwi]

Understand the older non airplay model had a mini TOS in, does this model also have optical in, or is the 3.5mm strictly analogue ?

 

Have an Apple TV2 feeding into my TV - but of course the speakers are quite crappy. Apple Shop in Singapore is selling both full size Zeppelin & Mini Zeppelin through at double the US price. ( which seems to be set by the distributor here in Singapore).

 

Have a cheap optical to rca DAC on order - FiiO D3 ($42 sng), so its not a biggie either way. (Was also considering Audioengine A2s or A5s)

 

Edit: reads the opening message a bit more closely - optical in - so this is confirmed ?????

 

[agentsmith]

On seperate occasions I owned a Merdian f80 a nd a AD88

 

I wonder how the Zep compares to it?

 

[souptin]

"Understand the older non airplay model had a mini TOS in, does this model also have optical in, or is the 3.5mm strictly analogue?"

 

I have the older non Airplay Zeppelin - the input is a dual function mini TOS digital combined with analogue mini-jack. Works very well with the similar mini TOS output of an airport express, as well as my TV's optical output. Sound quality is very good with a digital input - even better than with analogue.

 

Unfortunately I'm not able to confirm if the dac in the older Zep upsamples to 96 (as with tne new one) or the maximum bit rate it will accept.

 

[wgscott]

The older one is limited to 16 bit, 48kHz.

 

The new one is a great leap forward. At least from what I have read.

 

I use it almost exclusively with optical input from my ATV2, used headless as a zone player and controlled from my iPad.

 

 

 

[tmornini]

"...and a 24-bit optical input option."

[culline5999]

I think i came here by chance and i liked this post very much. It is very informative post. I was searching for software development services. Thanks

 

[tomE]

I had a brief audition of the new NAD VISO 1 iPod Music System and was impressed. Don't know how it compares to the Zep though.

 

Tom

 

[culline]

This is very great technology and i would never know it if i would not come over here. I came here by chance cause i was searching for student discount. Thanks for sharing such an information.

 

[wgscott]

Thanks for your generous spam, but I think I am looking for something slightly more listless.