Airplay setup through receiver is broken

[Albert Demole]

Knowing next to nothing about sound, I've assembled a custom setup to stream classical music. I don't watch TV and only want a setup where all family members can easy stream music from their phones. It has worked ok (though not great) for a few years, but after a move, the sound is extremely muffled. I've tried replacing the receiver but that didn't help. Any advice on how to fix this or find a better setup?

• Airplay to first generation Apple TV
• Optical cable to Teac AG-D9300 AV Receiver - replaced with a Sony STR-K780 receiver
• Canton CD 200 4-8 Ohm speakers

 

[sterling shoote]

Your move suggests a modem/router transmission strength issue.

 

[Albert Demole]

Thank you - actually I've been trying by having the Apple TV directly connected to the router, and the phone next to it.

Could it be the optical cable?

 

[nathan_h]

"the sound is extremely muffled" and you have replaced the AVR.....so I would suspect the speakers, unless you say the speakers sound fine with some sources.

An optical cable cannot make things sound muffled.

A weak network would not make things sound muffled.

I suppose the ATV might be broken but you aren't using any of the analog aspects of the ATV, and there isn't a thing in the digital domain that muffles sound like you describe.

But that AVR is 15 years old, right? I'm guessing the budget is limited and that is why you chose it. No problem.

If the speakers are fine (ie, they sound good except when using the ATV) then we can conclude that the speakers and AVR are okay. So then replacing the ATV may be what's needed. If all you want is a device to stream to, I'd probably choose a bluetooth dongle like:

Amazon.com

Most newer AVR's have bluetooth capability, and many have Airplay, but your Sony appears to be a little old than that feature set. So this MIGHT be a $22 solution. But I would only get it is I could play other sources and they sound fine.

 

[lovinthehd]

More information about performance outside of the phone streaming, and any information about variances within the various phones streaming as to settings, would be helpful. Overall the description does seem to point to speakers but hard to know what the OP means by muffled, too. Is it simply a lower level?