After a long day, it's nice to just kick back and listen to music. A Denon home receiver can turn a regular living room into a proper audio setup. Most Denon models support popular streaming services like Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer, and several others, but Apple Music isn't supported natively.
Even though Apple Music integration hasn't been built in, Denon receivers offer other flexible options. AirPlay 2 lets you stream Apple Music to most compatible models directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Bluetooth works if you want a quick, wireless connection. And if you prefer local files or converted tracks using ViWizard Apple Music Converter, USB is an easy solution.
This post will guide you through all of these options to get Apple Music on your Denon receiver. Let's get started!
Method 1. Play Apple Music on Denon Using AirPlay 2
If your Denon receiver supports AirPlay 2, this is usually the easiest way to play Apple Music. Simply open Apple Music on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and send it directly to the receiver. Many Denon AVRs and HEOS HomeCinema models support AirPlay natively, so setup is almost instant.
The tradeoff is that audio may be streamed in stereo and relies on a stable Wi-Fi connection. Denon receivers may not decode Dolby Atmos in this scenario. If you want Dolby Atmos support, see Bonus Tip 2 for guidance.
Denon devices that support AirPlay 2 + Apple Music:
- AVR-X1800H
- AVR-X2800H
- AVR-X4300H
- AVR-X4800H
From iPhone or iPad:
Step 1 Make sure your Denon AVR and iPhone or iPad are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2 Turn on your Denon AVR receiver.
Step 3 Open Control Center on your iPhone or iPad.
Step 4 Tap and hold the audio card in the top-right corner.
Step 5 Tap the AirPlay icon. A list of available devices will appear - select your Denon AVR.
Step 6 Open the Music app and play any tracks to stream wirelessly from your iPhone or iPad to your Denon receiver.
AirPlay from iPhone or iPad streams at 256 kbps AAC. Lossless or higher-resolution audio is not supported on these devices.
From Mac:
Step 1 Ensure your Denon AVR and Mac are on the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 2 Turn on your Denon AVR receiver.
Step 3 Click the Apple menu > System Preferences (or System Settings on macOS Ventura and later).
Step 4 Go to Sound > Output.
Step 5 Select your Denon AVR as the output device. This routes all system audio - not just Apple Music - to your AVR.
Step 6 Open the Music app and select any songs, albums, or playlists you want to play.
Step 7 To AirPlay directly from the Music app, click the AirPlay icon and select your Denon AVR.
Step 8 Press Play. Using system-wide output, Mac can send 16-bit/44.1 kHz lossless audio via ALAC. Streaming directly from Apple Music via AirPlay remains 256 kbps AAC.
Method 2. Play Apple Music on Denon with Bluetooth
Bluetooth is the go-to option for quick, wireless streaming. Pair your smartphone, tablet, or computer with the receiver, then play tracks from the Apple Music app. No extra apps or accounts are needed - everything works immediately.
Denon devices that support Bluetooth + Apple Music:
- AVR-S570BT
- AVR-S770H
- AVR-X1800H
- AVR-X2800H
Pair your device and stream with Bluetooth:
Step 1 Turn on your Denon AVR receiver.
Step 2 Activate Bluetooth pairing mode by pressing and holding the Bluetooth button on your remote for about 3 seconds, or go to Options > Pairing Mode on the receiver display.
Step 3 On your iPhone, iPad, or other Bluetooth-enabled device, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Step 4 Select your Denon AVR from the list of available devices.
Step 5 Once paired, open the Music app and play any intended tracks. Audio will stream wirelessly over Bluetooth.
Method 3. Play Apple Music on Denon Using Apple Music Converter and USB
If you want offline listening without an active Apple Music subscription, ViWizard Apple Music Converter can convert and download Apple Music tracks to DRM-free MP3s. Once converted, transfer the files to a USB drive, plug it into any compatible Denon USB port, switch the input source to "USB," and browse to select your music files.
The process takes a few extra steps and requires tools like ViWizard Apple Music Converter, but it's worth it for high-resolution audio in a budget-friendly way. You can convert single tracks, full albums, or entire playlists and libraries at once, preserving lossless audio and important metadata. This is ideal for audiophiles or anyone who wants reliable music without depending on Wi-Fi.
Key Features of ViWizard Apple Music Converter
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- Convert Apple Music songs, albums, playlists, and artists into MP3 for easy access
- Preserve lossless audio, high-resolution lossless, and Dolby Atmos quality
- Strip DRM from Apple Music for unrestricted offline listening
- Save converted audio files while retaining full ID3 tag details
Denon devices that support USB + local files:
Any Denon model with a USB port.
Convert and Play Apple Music on Denon via USB:
Step 1 Download and install ViWizard Apple Music Converter on your Windows or Mac computer.
Step 2 Launch ViWizard and log in with your Apple Music account.
Step 3 Select the songs, albums, or playlists you want to convert, then click the + button to add them to the conversion list.
Step 4 Go to Settings > Preferences > Output Format and choose MP3 or FLAC.
Step 5 Adjust output options if needed (destination folder, file naming, or subfolders).
Step 6 Click Convert to remove DRM and begin conversion.
Step 7 Once finished, open the output folder to access your converted files.
Step 8 Insert a USB drive into your computer and copy the converted files to it.
Step 9 Eject the USB drive safely and insert it into your Denon receiver.
Step 10 On the receiver, switch the input source to iPod/USB. Use the receiver's interface to browse folders, select the Apple Music tracks you want, and press Enter to play.
Method 4. Play Apple Music on Denon via the HEOS App
The HEOS app is slightly more involved but offers control that AirPlay can't. As mentioned earlier, Apple Music is not natively supported on HEOS, so users who want this support can turn to ViWizard Apple Music Converter to unlock local files from Apple Music or ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer to sync your Apple Music playlists directly to supported platforms like Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, Pandora, Deezer, and more.
Once your music is transferred, you can stream it to any HEOS-enabled device, group rooms, and manage multiple services in one place.
Setup takes a few extra steps since you need to sync music and install the HEOS app, but once running, HEOS is smooth, reliable, and flexible. It can even handle multi-room setups and high-resolution streaming.
Key Features of ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer
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- Transfer unlimited playlists, albums, artists, and tracks across platforms
- Preserve track details and album artwork during transfer
- Recreate your music library on any supported streaming service
- Works smoothly with Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, and Deezer
Denon devices that support HEOS + Other Music Services:
- AVR‑X1800H
- AVR‑X2800H
- Denon Home Amp
- HEOS Built‑in receivers and speakers
Stream Apple Music via HEOS App:
Step 1 First, sync or transfer your Apple Music tracks to a supported music service using ViWizard Apple Music Converter or ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer.
Step 2 To use ViWizard Music Playlist Transfer, download it to your computer and connect your Apple Music account as the source and your chosen music service as the destination. Log in to both accounts to authorize access.
Step 3 Select the playlists, albums, or tracks you want to transfer. Albums and artists will be organized automatically on the destination service, and you can decide where your playlists go.
Step 4 Start the transfer and wait for it to complete. Afterward, review your transferred library and note any tracks that failed.
Step 5 Download and install the HEOS app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Step 6 Open the app and sign in with the account of the music service where your Apple Music tracks were transferred.
Step 7 Make sure your Denon AVR or HEOS-enabled device is powered on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Step 8 In the HEOS app, select your AVR or speaker.
Step 9 Choose the transferred music service and pick your desired tracks, albums, or playlists.
Bonus Tip 1: Connect Apple Music to Denon DJ Hardware
For Denon DJ devices running Engine OS, Apple Music can be linked directly to the hardware. This lets you browse playlists, search tracks, and play music without AirPlay, Bluetooth, or HEOS.
It's mainly for DJs, so most home listeners won't need it. But for live performances or mixing, it's a seamless way to integrate Apple Music into a professional setup.
Denon devices that support Engine OS + Apple Music:
Any Denon DJ controller or interface that accepts line-in or USB audio.
Link Apple Music to Denon DJ Hardware:
Step 1 Power on your Denon DJ device running Engine OS, and make sure it's at the main menu.
Step 2 Connect it to Wi-Fi via Setup > Network > Wi-Fi.
Step 3 On the home screen, choose Apple Music under the Music Services section.
Step 4 Log in with your Apple Music account using the on-screen keyboard or the Engine DJ companion app.
Step 5 Browse playlists via Library > Playlists or search tracks using the Search bar.
Step 6 Select a track and press Enter/Load to load it onto a deck or cue point.
Step 7 Press Play/Pause.
Bonus Tip 2: Listen to Apple Music Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on Denon
Normally, streaming Apple Music via AirPlay 2 provides only 2.0 stereo. But many Denon receivers support Apple Music Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos, though it requires a specific setup. You'll need an HDMI cable and a Lightning-to-HDMI or USB-C-to-HDMI adapter for your iPhone.
For universal use, an Apple TV 4K is recommended. It streams Apple Music in Dolby Atmos to an Atmos-capable Denon receiver and a multi-channel speaker system with height channels. Apple TV 4K is more expensive, but the immersive 3D-like sound makes it worthwhile. Be sure to turn on Dolby Atmos in Apple Music settings. Not all songs support Dolby Atmos, but Apple Music clearly labels them, making it easy to pick tracks that take advantage of this feature.
Denon devices that support HDMI + Apple Music:
- AVR‑X3800H
- AVR‑X4300H
- AVR‑X4800H
- AVR‑X6800H
Set up Apple Music Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos on Denon:
Step 1 Ensure your Denon AVR and speaker setup support Dolby Atmos.
Step 2 Connect your Apple TV 4K to the AVR with an HDMI cable, and set the AVR's input source to the corresponding HDMI port.
Step 3 On the Apple TV, go to Settings > Apps > Music > Dolby Atmos, and select Always On. This ensures all supported tracks play in Atmos automatically.
Step 4 Launch the Apple Music app on your Apple TV 4K.
Step 5 Browse or search for tracks labeled Dolby Atmos or Spatial Audio.
Step 6 Play a song and check that your AVR's front panel or on-screen display shows the Dolby Atmos indicator.
Step 7 Adjust volume using the AVR's knob or remote.
Conclusion
To play Apple Music on Denon receiver, you can try to use Bluetooth or AirPlay to play Apple Music on Denon online. You can also use ViWizard Audio Converter to download and convert Apple Music to FLAC or other formats for playing on Denon offline. If you have any other good ways, please leave your comments below.
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Adam Gorden, the digital media specialist at ViWizard, is dedicated to providing the best solutions for digital media management, including audio and video conversion, file optimization, and media workflow enhancements.
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