If you’re someone who enjoys listening to online audio content (i.e. music, podcasts, or radio) at home on a daily basis, then one of the best gadgets that you can get for yourself is an internet music streaming device. Essentially, internet music streamers are devices specifically designed and optimized to access, decode, and deliver high-resolution internet streaming music (or audio) stored in an online location that’s then played via a dedicated sound system. In other words, internet music streamers are audio-conversion devices that offer you DAC (Digital-to-Analog) audio-conversion (and sometimes vice-versa), for which they access and play that said music / audio content over an Internet connection (such as for online radios), or ultimately via a streaming service (such as Spotify, TIDAL, etc.). To put it simply, internet music streamers are designed to play online audio content at high-resolution (i.e. HiFi) sound-quality, meaning that they can make every single one of your listening sessions much more enjoyable. With all that said, if you’re looking to take your at-home audio-sessions to a whole new level, then consider getting an internet music streamer like the Andover Audio Songbird.
The Andover Audio Songbird is a plug-and-play HiFi internet music streaming device designed to provide lossless decoding of music files from High-Resolution services up to 24-bit/192 kHz, featuring great high-resolution sound quality, an easy setup, both Digital and Analog Inputs and Outputs, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity, compatibility with both Apple AirPlay and Sony’s DLNA, and straightforward in-App controls.
Designed specifically to stream music / audio content through the Internet into pretty much any audio system, this ultra-versatile internet music streaming device can be used to stream just about any type of online audio content, whether that’s Internet Radio, Podcasts, or even Internet-based music from Music / Audio Streaming Services.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the Andover Songbird check out everything that this HiFi internet music streaming device can really do.
DESIGN & BASIC SPECS
Starting with the device’s size, this internet music streaming device features a comes at an ultra-compact design, coming at surprisingly small size, measuring just 3.4 inches long by 3.24 inches wide by an impressive 1.02 inches tall (8.63 x 8.22 x 2.59 cm).
The device’s compact size not only makes it easy for you to set it up in pretty much any shelve unit or countertop, but in fact also makes it quite easy for you to hide the unit (if you want to) behind the remaining devices that incorporate your current sound system, such as your speaker units, a sound amplifier etc.
Moreover, the package also comes together with a 1” by 1.5” Velcro Strip / Pad with a sticky back-side that allows you to mount the unit into a flat horizontal surface, or ultimately, into a vertical surface, whether that’s into a wall or into the back-side of another device from your current sound system.
On top of its tiny size, the Andover Audio Songbird also portrays a very simple and minimalist design, as its body basically consists of a fairly durable plastic shell that comes coated in a very discrete Black matte-finish. This ultimately allows this internet music streaming device to easily blend with the rest of your furniture / home décor, regardless if you’re looking to set it up in your living room, bedroom, or even in another division.
Lastly, it’s also worth mentioning that this device is electric-powered, as the main unit is powered by its dedicated DC Wall Plug and a USB to micro-USB Power Cable that’s about 24-inches long.
Strangely enough, the device’s dedicated micro-USB DC 5V/1A Power Input port is located at the front-side of the unit, instead of that back-side, as you’ll see further ahead when we have a look at the device’s Interface.
Still that really isn’t a big deal, especially if you consider buying a longer USB to micro-USB Power Cable (any standard USB-to-micro-USB cable will do) to set up the device in a more “loose” way to ensure that its Power Cable doesn’t end up “too tight” and somewhat pulling the unit backwards into the direction where you’ll have its dedicated wall-plug.
INTERFACE / CONNECTION PANEL
We’ll now talk a little about the Songbird’s interface. Starting at the front-side of the device, we have its dedicated micro-USB DC 5V/1A Power Input port (located at the far-left side), which is then followed (at the far-right side) by a Power Status LED and a WPS / Input Button that’s used to change between the device’s different Inputs manually.
Last but not least, at the back-side of the unit, and going from left to right, we have an AUX Analog Output, followed by an AUX Analog Input (3.5mm minijack), which are then followed by an Ethernet / LAN Port (used for a more stable Internet Connection, which you should use if possible), finally followed by a Digital Optical Input (TOSLINK) and a Digital Optical (TOSLINK) 16-Bit Output.
AUDIO SPECS & AUDIO QUALITY
Moving on to the Songbird’s audio specifications. As said before, this HiFi internet music streaming device is capable of achieving a great high-resolution sound quality, as it is designed to provide lossless decoding of music files from High-Resolution services, featuring support a true-high-resolution full-fat 24-bit/192 kHz playback.
Basically, the Andover Audio Songbird works as a DAC internet music streaming device, and while the company (Andover Audio) hasn’t really disclosed what type of DAC chip the Songbird actually comes equipped with, you can really expect to get exactly the exact value of audio quality that the company says the device can deliver.
On a side note, it’s worth mentioning that regardless of input or stream, the Songbird’s Digital Optical (TOSLINK) 16-Bit Output is resampled to a CD quality resolution of 16 bit/ 44.1kHz. in order to not only allow the device to provide compatibility with any legacy audio equipment, but also to facilitate it can achieve a reliable multi-room streaming operation.
Still, the device’s internal DAC chip is designed to support a true-high-resolution full-fat 24-bit/192 kHz playback, meaning that the way to enjoy a 24 Bit Hi-Res output with the Songbird is literally to use its AUX Analog Output along together its built-in DAC.
That said, the Songbird is in fact capable of delivering a true-high-resolution audio playback that can go to up to 24-bit/192 kHz, but it’s highly recommend that you have the device directly connected to an Ethernet / LAN Connection.
Alternatively, if you do set it up wirelessly (meaning via its Wi-Fi Connectivity), then you should expect to get a 24bit 96khz audio quality.
It’s also worth noting that the Andover Audio Songbird features a Signal to Noise Ratio of 80dB, as well as a Signal Separation of 74dB. Honestly, these levels of sound-quality are really respectable, especially when considering this is supposed to be a more affordable option in comparison to other internet music streaming devices. This is really great to see, so… well done Andover.
The Songbird also features a Frequency Response of 20Hz to 20kHz, an Input sensitivity of 1000mV, and a THD+N(Frequency vs Distortion) of 0.03%.
Finally, you should also know that the Songbird supports a wide variety of Audio File Formats, including: MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+, ALAC, FLAC, APE, and WAV.
CONNECTIVITY
Now, when it comes to the device’s Connectivity, know that this internet music streaming device, and features Wi-Fi Connectivity (working solely in a 2.4GHz frequency) and supporting some of the most common Wireless Standards (802.11 b/g/n ).
Again, despite its Wi-Fi Connectivity, we’d really recommended that you actually hard-wire (i.e. directly connect) the device via Ethernet if possible.
In addition to its Wi-Fi Connectivity, the Andover Audio Songbird also features Bluetooth Connectivity (Bluetooth 2.1+EDR), which is used to establish a connection with your Smartphone for setting it up the device’s internet connection as well as
COMPATIBILITY
In terms of compatibility, know that the Songbird is also compatible with pretty much any internet audio-service, which makes it compatible with internet radios like iHeartRadio Internet Radio and TuneIn Radio, as well as with multiple Music Streaming Services such as Spotify, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Qobuz, and even Napster, which can all be access over your WiFi network (or LAN) via the device’s dedicated Smartphone Companion App (discussed with more detail at the end of the article).
Thanks to that, you can use it as an FM / AM Radio Tuner to enjoy thousands of FM and AM Radio Stations over an Internet connection (Wi-Fi), all without requiring you to have a Radio Antenna for your current sound system (and obviously, without also ever having to worry about the strength of the reception for listening to those radio stations).
Note that both Gapless Streaming and MQA are currently not supported.
Furthermore, note that the Songbird is also compatible with Apple AirPlay and also with Sony’s DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), which means that you can also use this internet music streaming device to easily share your audio of choice from any home server (whether that’s a personal computer or another network device) into a simpler display device, such as a Smart TV or Roku.
SETUP / INSTALLATION
Last of all, and as said earlier, the Andover Audio Songbird also features a very simple and extremely straightforward setup process, with the whole thing taking you no more than 5 to 10 minutes at most.
It’s really just a matter of connecting the device to power via its included DC Wall Plug and USB to micro-USB Power Cable, and then connecting the unit to Wi-Fi and/or LAN as well as configuring it via its dedicated Smartphone Companion App (discussed ahead).
Embedded below we have Andover’s official Video Guide for the device’s entire setup process:
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Songbird Control App
So, for controlling the unit, we have of course the device’s Smartphone Companion App, called the Songbird Control App, which is available to download for free for both iOS and Android devices.
Via the Songbird Control App (which features a very simple and intuitive User Interface, mind you), users can easily control / operate all of the Songbird’s different functionalities, like setting the device to stream online audio content from any supported online radio or Music Streaming Service.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside each package, users will find: the Andover Audio Songbird device, along with the unit’s dedicated 5V/1A DC Wall Plug and USB to micro-USB Power Cable, as well as an included Velcro Strip (for wall-mounting), a .5 M Toslink to Mini Toslink Connection Cable (for connecting to Andover’s Model-One Turntable Music System or to another turntable audio system), a 3.28 (1 meter) 3.5” mini to dual RCA Connection Cable, and also the unit’s User Manual.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Andover Audio Songbird is a plug-and-play HiFi internet music streaming device designed to provide lossless decoding of music files from High-Resolution services up to 24-bit/192 kHz, featuring great high-resolution sound quality, an easy setup, both Digital and Analog Inputs and Outputs, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity, compatibility with both Apple AirPlay and Sony’s DLNA, and straightforward in-App controls.
Designed specifically to stream music / audio content through the Internet into pretty much any audio system, this ultra-versatile internet music streaming device can be used to stream just about any type of online audio content, whether that’s Internet Radio, Podcasts, or even Internet-based music from Music / Audio Streaming Services.
All in all, this is an extremely versatile HiFi internet music streaming device that can cover any high-res streaming needs, all while working with almost any audio system, and that goes for both new and old sound systems. Not only is the Songbird easy to setup and straightforward to use, but it is also very, very affordable, ultimately making it one of the best music streaming devices that you can find available today.
If you’re interested in purchasing it, know that each unit goes for just $179. You can order yours online right now, either directly from Andover Audio’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can get it from Amazon, if you’d prefer.
