Hello audio lovers!
I have 2 really good speakers connected to my Apple TV through an audio receiver from Marantz. I love the speakers, I love the sound, but the receiver frequently causes issues. As far as I know the receiver itself does not have any accessibility features and last time I tried the app it was a horrible experience. Consequently, if something stops working I need a sighted person to help sort things out *sigh*
I am soon moving apartment so I am thinking about how I want the speaker system set up. One option is to sell and replace the stereo speakers, another option is to buy a more accessible receiver.
My question is therefore if anyone here know of a surround or 2.1 channel receiver with either built-in accessibility or a fairly friendly VoiceOver app??
Note: I am aware of that Homepods and Sonos work really well :) But would be a shame to sell these speakers.
Comments
Yamaha RS 220
I purchased one of these Yamaha receiver/amplifiers. It has good sound and features for a budget unit. In terms of accessibility, the unit has "real" buttons and knobs. Now you will not be able to access the screen but I am able to select the input, the output, adjust volume, etc. I only really use it with a phonograph or use bluetooth to stream music. Not sure how it will sound with video. Not sure it has any surround sound or video processing capabilities.
https://www.whathifi.com/us/reviews/yamaha-r-s202d
Look at that, I totally…
Look at that, I totally missed that Sonos had an amp. Sounds tempting to investigate.
Otherwise
There's always our tried and true ancient solution used by blind audiophiles since the 1950's -- analog. Any receiver, amp, player or controller that's 100% analog is only a matter of memorizing which button, knob or switch is which. I have a 7.1.4 surround home theatre with 6 components plus apps. Sometimes I use the apps, but really all I every use is the TV, blu-ray player or controller remote control or my iPhone for sound casting. I did take notes on each of my components when I installed the home theatre, and I refer to them from time to time when I need to change settings. My notes simply recite which button, knob or switch is which.
My latest set up
I'm using a little Surface Go, running Itunes, and remote controlling it with my phone or watch. I connect a nice DAC to it, and then out to my powered speaker system. If I don't want to use the remote app, I use a blue tooth earpiece to hear JAWS on the Surface, use the separate blue tooth keyboard as my remote. Most accessible and best
I understand keeping your trusty old speakers, and only went powered speakers when I blew a driver, and then lost an amp channel.
sounding rig I've had in a while.
and