French manufacturer Atoll has announced AirPlay 2 compatibility for all its Signature range network players. A free software update now enables full integration with the Apple ecosystem, allowing music streaming from an iPhone, iPad or Mac, and integration into a multi-room group.
Native AirPlay 2 compatibility
This update is available free of charge for the Atoll MS120, ST200 Signature, ST300 Signature, SDA200 Signature and SDA300 Signature models. It transforms the brand’s iconic network players into true AirPlay 2 receivers, as they will be automatically visible on all Apple devices connected to the same home network. Music can then be sent with a single click from any music app such as Apple Music, Qobuz, Deezer or even YouTube, without having to go through the dedicated Atoll app. Instant convenience that perfectly complements the network functions already integrated into Atoll players.
AirPlay 2 technology also brings a major advantage: native multi-room with other AirPlay 2-compatible devices, whether connected speakers, amplifiers or other streamers. This makes it possible to synchronize music in several rooms of the house, while maintaining a broadcast quality far superior to that of Bluetooth. While the stream remains limited to CD-type resolution (16-bit/44.1kHz), transmission remains uncompressed, stable and immediate.
A simple update
The great strength of this announcement lies in how easy the update is to carry out. Atoll has not reserved AirPlay 2 for new models: all the devices mentioned are concerned, including those already in service for several months or even years. Simply connect your player, go to the system settings menu, then search for a firmware update. Once installed, the AirPlay icon appears automatically on Apple sources.
Atoll has also provided an option for customizing the device name, directly from the web interface of its electronics. This makes it easy to distinguish between an “SDA300 – Living Room” and an “ST200 – Office”, especially when using several devices simultaneously in a multi-room system.
Atoll enters the era of connected services
For Atoll, this evolution is part of its goal to offer listening tools adapted to contemporary uses, without forgetting the fundamentals of high fidelity. The manufacturer, whose electronics are still assembled in Brécey, in the Manche region of France, has chosen a proprietary network platform developed in-house, capable of evolving through updates without impacting audio quality. AirPlay 2 is the latest addition to an already comprehensive network offering, with support for Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, Spotify Connect, Internet radio via Airable, and playback of files via DLNA or USB keys. All this can be controlled via the ATOLL Signature 2 app, available on iOS and Android. But for users of the Apple ecosystem, the arrival of AirPlay 2 represents a much more direct and familiar alternative, with no third-party app to open.
If you already own an Atoll Signature player, all you have to do is launch the update to enjoy the benefits. And if you’re still hesitating to take the plunge, this AirPlay 2 compatibility could well be the trigger. Atoll seems to have found the perfect balance between sound quality and everyday ease of use.
