Bluetooth streaming device connects to your hi-fi

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igbloo uses technology from CSR and Wolfson

see those audio out options and weep

A new Bluetooth music-streaming receiver, the curiously-named igbloo has been launched by Stage One Technology. Well, actually, the company is ging for funding on Kickstarter here and currently has reached just under one third of its target. Basically, the igbloo is a dvice which allows music to be streamed via Bluetooth to your existing sound system from a mobile phone, iPod (MP3 player), iPad (tablet), laptop PC or any other suitable Bluetooth equipped device. The makers claim the igbloo can produce astonishingly high quality music. And, of course, it is wire free!

The advantage is that you can enjoy the convenience of Bluetooth without suffering the inferior sound quality of a regular set of Bluetooth speakers.

Instead you get the high quality sound of your existing hi-fi without having to leave your mobile phone or MP3 player stuck in a dock.

Why is igbloo superior? Well, most alternatives use the basic SBC Bluetooth music codec.

However, Stage One discovered the APT-X format which appears to have been developed by Bluetooth specialist – CSR.

Naturally, most Apple devices don’t support APT-X but they do use AAC which is a similar quality codec so the makers included that as well.

What struck us as unusual and innovative is that you can pair a Bluetooth device with the igbloo by pressing button or you can use NFC. How clever is that?

It’s one thing to stream music in high quality but in order to hear it via your hi-fi you need a digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). And the igbloo sports an industry leading DAC from Wolfson Microelectronics.

Now all you need is a suitable interface and the igbloo boasts a 3.5mm jack; RCA Phono; and unusally for such a competitively priced device, TOSLink Digital Optical Out.

Intending to launch early in 2014, the creator of igbloo – Stage One Technology is offering a variety of special priced tiers to Kickstarter bidders who will get the product before anyone else.

There were 70 available at the super early bird price of £40 but they’ve all gone but there are still some available for £50.

For those that cannot wait until January 2014 for their delivery, there is an opportunity to bag one from the first batch in December 2013 for £85.

We got excited to find that there was a link between Stage One Technology’s md Simon de Banke and motorsport. However, it’s not to do with Formula One, so that’s no good then.

If we can get our hands on an igbloo we’ll let you know.

  Tony is currently Editor of GoMobile News. He's a veteran telecoms journalist who has previously worked for major printed and online titles. Follow him on Twitter @GoMoTweet.