All phones and devices can stream audio already playing on them--just pair up to the Heritage Audio BT-500--it shows up as "HA BT-500v2" and begin playing music straight into your DAW computer. Forget about the hassle using a mini-jack to get audio out of cellphone and into your studio--most phones don't have those any more anyway. And forget about using AirDrop to send the file to your DAW desktop or e-mailing it to the studio's computer for playback--that takes too much time!

The BT-500 v2 is more universal and recognizes what codec your device uses and then streams stereo audio up to 100 meters. It will handle AAC (iPhones), APTX® (Android) and APTX LL®, APTX HD® (lossless) and SBC. A red Sync LED lights up to show you're paired and you can also manually reset the connection with a red push button also on the front panel.

Using Burr-Brown analog amps, the BT-500 v2.0 outputs fully-balanced, +22dBu line level stereo audio out of the Input (L) and Output (R) connections on a single 500 module slot. Included is an XLR male-to-male adapter to convert the input XLR connector to an output XLR.

I ran a pair of XLR cables over to my Cranesong Avocet IIA monitor controller and streamed audio at standard operating levels--approximately the same loudness as coming from my Pro Tools DAW. I don't have to readjust the volume as I did in the past. I also like that the BT-500 v2.0 is tucked away in one of my 500 racks and the small 'rubber ducky' antenna on the front panel allows a for a solid BT connection over a much further distance than other devices.

What an excellent addition to my studio the BT-500 v2.0 has been since I received it for review! I mostly have artists and producers over here in my mix room and being able to compare what I have going on in a mix to what they are hearing on their phones is an amazing tool to have! It's immediate and a major new tool to rely on!

The Heritage Audio Bluetooth BT-500 v2 Module sells for $299 MSRP.

heritageaudio.net/catalogue/bt-500v2-0/