BluDento BLT-HD

This BluDento BLT-HD is simply outstanding in build quality, features, connectivity, and yes - sound. What great, gorgeous sound on my Sony ES home theater/music setup! Forget your own biases and your adopted "audiophile guru" friend's outdated biases against bluetooth audio quality. This product shatters those outdated preconceptions about bluetooth limitations when it comes to hi-fi sound. This amazing thing delivers beautifully dynamic, full range, detailed, and tonally accurate sound that I truly cannot distinguish from my very best CD recordings. I cannot speak to other Hi-Res sources, which are great, but I do not own or feel pressed to own right now. CD quality is fine with me for now, even though I believe from description and specs that the BluDento BLT-HD is able to exceed CD quality. When I listen to San Antonio's KPAC classical FM radio (yes, radio!), CD's, DVD's, BluRay's, or stream Pandora from my LG Stylo 2 Plus smartphone, silence is jet black with perfect stillness. Double Fortissimo is thunderous. No hissing or other clutter in the background. Treble is crystal clear, and not strident or harsh, at all. Bass is full and rich, as is the midrange. My system: Sony STR-ZA3000ES receiver; Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speaker × 4 (fronts and surrounds); SSCS8 center; SACS9 subwoofer; Sewell Silverback 12 AWG speaker wire; MediaBridge, KabelDirekt, Monoprice, and Amazon Basics interconnects; Sennheiser RS 160 RF wireless headphones (transmitter's input at its 3.5mm female plug received from Zone 2 RCA analog output jacks of Sony ES receiver); and this BluDento BLT-HD connected from its RCA analog output jacks to the Auxillary RCA analog input jacks of Sony ES receiver. With my described setup, my wife and I can currently do many things while relaxing in our recliners, such as watch television (as main zone) with sound muted, while also listening to Pandora or other streamed music/audio from one of our smartphones to the home theater speakers via this BluDento BLT-HD to the Sony ES Auxillary source setting; and also, simultaneously listening through the wireless Sennheiser headphones at any independent volume level to either of the above sources or different sources like FM stereo, CD's, or other sources connected to the Sony ES (as Zone 2). That is real flexibility and a multitasker's dream to simultaneously be free to either listen to and/or watch many different combinations of media from different sources on headphones and/or speakers. We could even add a third activity in the future, perhaps a separate bluetooth transmitter to other speakers or headphones anywhere in the house using the Sony ES's Zone 3 audio capability. Of course, one could simply just blissfully enjoy one thing at a time. The point is that this BluDento BLT-HD now enables us to fully use and enjoy the incredible flexibilities of our already amazing Sony ES/Sennheiser, etc. home theater/music system - with up to the same high level of beautiful sound quality - using bluetooth music/audio streaming sources, e.g. via smartphone or computer with bluetooth (up to 5.0 with AptX for highest quality). You may opt for any of the handful of fine competing devices currently out there, including the very capable but more expensive Audioengine B1, but I just truly doubt any of them will consistently and convincingly beat this BluDento in a proper side-by-side blind listening test, i.e. you will not at all regret getting this fine unit. I very highly recommend it. Update 12-31-2018: Still enjoying this very much with our new Amazon Music subscription started just before the Christmas holiday. We have played our favorite music for hours on end without any hiccups or glitches, at all. Sound quality is superb at lower volumes for nice background music, and just gets better and better when cranking the often underrated Sony ES way up high in the sky (for an occasional Zeppelin moment). Update 4-21-2019: Our BluDento BLT-HD has been on constantly for five months with heavy use, and is still working beautifully. Flawlessly. It is one of my very favorite additions to our home theater/music set up. I definitely plan to purchase another unit when we build our secondary HT/music set up. Update 8-28-2020: Still cranking out seriously beautiful music, internet radio station apps, etc. effortlessly and without any hitches. Friends have been getting plenty of fun and amazement trying it out with their smartphones and their various old school AV receivers that were just collecting dust. It sounds great with all of them. Still a flawless and brilliant work horse with nearly constant daily use. Update 12/21/2021: Gifted my great BLT-HD, Sennheiser HD600's, and Sch*** Audio stack as an early Christmas gift to a family member who has been without any good audio equipment for years. He loves them. It still works great. I plan to repurchase another one soon. On another review comment about not getting the HD data transmitted from a Moto G6 smartphone to this BLT-HD receiver, my understanding is the Moto G6 (2018 model) is equipped to transmit with Bluetooth version 4.2, whereas the BLT-HD is equipped to receive Bluetooth version 5.0. A device which transmits Bluetooth 5.0 can transmit much more audio information and do so faster than a device transmitting in Bluetooth version 4.2. The kicker is that to derive "all" of the benefits of aptX HD audio via Bluetooth 5.0 is for BOTH transmitter and receiver to be equipped for Bluetooth version 5.0. Otherwise, a Bluetooth receiver in version 5.0 like BLT-HD is backward compatible to other "lower" non-HD codecs transmitted via Bluetooth version 4.2. So, not to worry, if your smartphone is 4.2 and the BLT-HD at 5.0. The BLT-HD will still function and receive enough of the data, and sound really great, but just not as "high-def" as it would if both devices were perfectly Bluetooth version 5.0 compatible. Bottom line: you will still get great sound, just not the "perfect" sound that your oscilloscope is telling you that you "should" be hearing. Such compatibilty matches are important only if you must have the latest and greatest technical specs on paper that are out there. Your ears will be the final judge, and with my "crummy" non-5.0 transmitters, the BLT-HD works just fine for me.

I bought this little fella for my media room, so I can use my Android Phone's aptX HD to stream music to my Peachtree Nova 150 that is still waiting for its long-ago-promised wireless upgrade card. It is connected to the Peachtree integrated amplifier (and B&W CM6 speakers) by RCA cables and optical, so I can compare the DACs by hitting different input buttons on the remote. In a word, it sounds GREAT for BT. I did not know BT audio could sound this good. I am especially impressed with the built-in DAC at this price point. I believe my Yamaha CD player utilizes the same or a similar Burr Brown DAC, and the sound is familiar. The DAC in my Peachtree is clearer, more 3D sounding, and has less "smear," but it is a much more expensive unit, and the Burr Brown is good enough that I honestly forget which one I am listening to at times. The Burr Brown DAC sounds "sweeter" in the midrange and treble and "rounder" in the bass--a little more "colored" overall, but certainly not objectionable and better than most A/V receivers, believe it or not. I imagine this DAC blows away anything near its price point, and it certainly matches or beats any of the Bluetooth receivers I have heard. BluDento hit it out of the park with this device. The BT connection is rock solid, and the range is very good. I have not tested its limits, but I can walk around my 3K sq/ft house and experience no drop-outs. It is a little needy, in that it always wants to connect to my phone, but I solved that by plugging the power into the service USB port in the back of the amp, which is switched on with the amp's power. Five stars.

This is actually a good little unit. Its easy to setup. Its quick to connect. Sound quality is very good. Would highly recommend!

So far, the "BluDento 5.0" is working well. I have it connected to my Pioneer receiver which allows me to connect via bluetooth from my Laptop, several tablets and phones. The sound quality is very good. Of course you must consider I am not using this on my Pioneer Elite 9.2 system but on my older Pioneer 5.1 in my bedroom. I can travel to the kitchen and to the master closet effectively, not dropping the connection on my phone. The phone has a newer bluetooth version than my PC. My PC will do a drop and reconnect causing the sound to disappear for 1 to 2 seconds. Over all the clarity is sufficient to enjoy your music from you media listing. The convenience of changing between bluetooth devices = discipline vs design. I allowed my son to connect with his tablet to listen to his songs. When he was done he left, I wanted to listen to my phone. I could not connect to the BluDento until I tracked down my son and dropped the bluetooth connection, allowing my phone to pair. If I'm at the device I should have the means to take control. That is what I find being the biggest downfall of this design. The housing of the unit is perfect, small, simple, and clean. I believe in two principals and preach it at work every day. K.I.S.S "Keep It Simple Stupid" and the 6P's "Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance. I purchased the insurance on it just in case. There were some ratings that the unit only lasted months of use. I believe at the price paid, that would be unacceptable. I am not questioning the design of the device. I understand the life of electronic components. If you have a sound process and a well designed product the quality should speak volumes. Backing it will too... I hope I will have a chance to provide an update on its installation birthday.

This is the best Bluetooth receiver I have owned, and I've used and experimented with several BT 4.2 and 5.0 transmitter/receivers. I have the black BLT-HD model. By taking advantage of BT 5.0 2Mbps on both transmit and receive sides, the drop outs and annoying pops are very rare. So the BluDento BLT-HD is 5.0, has AptX HD, and of excellent build quality with a clean and understated look. It worked seemlesly for me, and once paired with my various devices connects immediately upon the available connection. I have not listened much from a BT 4.2 device. Still performs well but expect pops and dropouts. That would be no fault of this product, but the connected devices 4.2 throughout limitation (1Mbps). So 5.0 to 5.0 is the way to go for the most enjoyable listening experience. I am running optical out to an Arcam DAC. The only thing I would have liked to see are rubber feet on the bottom. The receiver is quite small and light and can slide around. I added 4 felt pads to the bottom, and plan to replace with small rubber self adhesive foot pads. Other than this minor suggestion I am very pleased with the BluDento BLT-HD and recommend for an optimum Bluetooth experience.

UPDATED REVIEW: I ordered a B2 unit direct from BluDento, with a request for a unique Bluetooth ID and passcode. Unit connected instantly and with a problem on my iPad. Sound is good - will be better as I download higher fidelity digital files. BluDento support was excellent and prompt helping me with the original unit reviewed below, and with quickly processing and shipping this new unit. Highly recommend BluDento for bluetooth support for hi-fi receivers. Device appears to connect to some unknown local bluetooth device on power on, preventing pairing to my phone or other intended source. IT IS CRITICALTO HAVE THE BLT-HD DEVICE ID AND PAIRING PIN CUSTOM SET BY BLUEDENTO WHEN ORDERING. Bluedento support provided me software and instructions for setting a PIN. TheBLT-HD then requested a PIN for pairing, but pairing was still unsuccessful on multiple attempts to configure the PIN. I am returning this item and will purchase directly from Bluedento, so that I can specify a custom device ID amd PIN when I order.

Works. Connects easy. No setup. Tiny footprint.

I have a decent home stereo with a Wadia Intuition pre/DAC/amp Tyler Acoustic speakers, Voodoo cables and an Oppo transport, DVD player, etc. But I’ve been willing to take a hit in sound quality for the convenience of using using my iphone to stream with. I tried a wired interface for a couple of years and then blue tooth starting with Arcam (blah) moving on to Auris (better but too bright and thin) and now finally the Blue Dento. Since I recently upgraded my iPhone to the 10XR I thought I’d upgrade to a device with the latest Bluetooth 5.0 standard to see if it makes a difference. The Dento looked solid, excellent reviews, was inexpensive and had both coax AND optic digital inputs. The Wadia has an excellent DAC so I opted to use only the digital inputs. Trying the audio inputs sure enough the DAC on the unit couldn’t compare to the $8000 Wadia. Curious to see how close it was - and it wasn’t. But through the digital outputs it was a major step forward for Bluetooth audio devices. Of course the upgraded phone helped quite a bit - but gone was the Bluetooth thinness and brightness I was used to. The weight, timbrel accuracy, separation, sound staging etc were back and competing surprisingly closely with CD quality. For $100 I’m a very happy camper. One thing to keep in mind is to give this enough play time in your rig to break in properly. At first the upper registers sounded pretty rough with grain and breakups and a bright edge, while lower registers were constricted. But this is common pre break-in for audio gear. After day 5 or so everything came together with highs mids and lows all in their places and a surprisingly sumptuous and realistic sound. Of course having an iPhone I can’t take advantage of the Active X HD Android users can enjoy and am curious what kind of improvement that would make. But for the price I’m more than satisfied with the improvement the BlueDento 5.0 bt has made in my system.

Quite an impressive performer... made my trusty Marantz AV Receiver make Bluetooth streaming a breeze. Lossless, zero delay and warm sound like music coming out from CDs.. Great product - highly recommended..

What a buy. i has been procrastinating for years over getting a completely new system which supported bluetooth or getting a receiver for my old system. I was finally forced to make a decision as I had friends coming around. I decided to get this after reading the reviews and comparing the spec to the competitors. I wasn't disappointed. Setting it up was a piece of cake, took approx 5 mins as I had to turn my amp around. All I had to do was plug in the audio Jack leads. It immediately came on and was accessible on the network. On connecting to it and playing music from Spotify I was blown away by the sound quality. I hadn't used the system it was connected to for a while and didn't think it was as good as it sounded when the music flowed out of the speakers. Amazing. Sound was crystal clear with no hissing or feedback with ample base and warmness. It was hard to believe that it was being converted from digital to analogue. TBH I couldn't have hoped for more. It far exceeded my expectations. Don't hesitate, get one. You won't be disappointed.

Excelente. De buena calidad. Se conecta muy fácilmente y tiene muy buen alcance a pesar de estar a dos pisos de distancia con paredes anchas.

Fue regalo para mi hijo para actualizar un receptor Blutooth Logitech 980 de hace unos 10 años, lo primero que me dijo fué que notó mayor volumen y separacion de canales, además de mucho mayor calidad percibida en el aparato desde que lo sacó de su caja. Lo tiene conectado a un Margules ADE-24 analog/digital enhancer + ecualizador de bulbos + un Denon AVR5803.

Outstanding Product - Excellent Sound Quality ! Easy To Use. Highly Recommend It To Anyone!