With ever more music services, such as Spotify and Qobuz, being available via the home computer, the question continually arises how to link computer and hi-fi for the best possible sound. There’s no shortage of solutions on the market, from a simple interconnect to offboard digital to analogue converters, but many of these require a wired link between computer and audio system – hardly ideal if the computer is on the other side of the room.

California-based High Resolution Technologies – or HRT – already has a range of converters designed for use with computers, but now it’s combined that technology with wireless transmission to create its AirStreamer, available this month at £249.

It’s a two-part system, with a compact USB-powered transmitter, the Wireless Master, connected to the computer using a USB A to miniUSB B cable provided with the system, allowing flexibility of positioning. This unit can also be used with smartphones and tablets, and it has a low-power design with an automatic ultra-low-power sleep mode when no audio is being transmitted, and optimised RF to keep power consumption as low as possible when in use.

It has a range of around 20m with the standard antenna attached, but this can be removed and replaced with a high-gain version for use over greater distances.

The AirStreamer itself combines a high performance radio receiver and a 24-bit differential mode digital to analogue converter, and can accept music at up to 24-bit resolution at 32kHz, 44.1kHz and 48kHz sampling rates. It also has HRT’s analogue reconstruction filter and a high-quality output amplifier, with stereo RCA phono sockets to connect to any amplifier, system or receiver. It’s powered from the mains using a supplied adapter.

The system has a simple pairing procedure for the two devices, with an LED on the AirStreamer to show lock, streaming and pairing status, and uses a look ahead frequency-hopping transmission system to detect and avoid any sources of RF interference (for example from other wireless devices in the home).

HRT says the AirStreamer delivers ‘a level of performance that far exceeds Bluetooth and other low-quality wireless interfaces, without the complexity of network based wireless solutions.’

The HRT AirStreamer is distributed in the UK by Audiofreaks.