The Echo Link Amp is the next product needed to round out Amazon’s Echo audio product lineup. If you have any old (or new) pair of speakers laying around all you need is the Echo Link Amp to make them 100% modern again. The Echo Link amp as them name suggests has an amplifier built-in so you don’t need any additional equipment to make your old speakers sing again while streaming music from Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music and AM/FM radio through the internet or one of the hundreds of other services. If you don’t have any other Echo products you will need to pickup an Echo Dot to make the voice control work since the Echo Link Amp doesn’t have a built-in mic.
A unusual and useful feature of the Link Amp is that it has both analog and digital inputs AND outputs. The digital input allows you to connect your TV and have the Link Amp automatically switch between streaming music and listening to your TV. The inputs have a priority to them, streaming music is the 1st priority then the digital input then the analog input. So, you could use all three inputs but the analog input won’t be activated unless you turn off your TV (or other source connected to the digital input). See my video review of the Echo Link (non-amp version) for an example of the priority in action.
Pros:
Built in amplifier brings your speakers of choice to life
Digital audio input for connecting your TV's sound
Automatically switches between inputs (steraming, digital, analog)
Digital audio output allows you to send high quality sound to your own DAC or AV receiver
Costs 40% less than the original Sonos Connect Amp (50% less than the new Sonos Amp)
Sound quality through speaker outputs is solid (go with the digital out & your own amp for better sound)
Cons:
The audio inputs can’t be sent to other rooms (a real oversight by Amazon and something Sonos does)
The app is control is not as smooth as Sonos
No mic built-in so you need another Echo device nearby to use it (like a $20 Dot)
Can’t play your music files stored on NAS or PC/MAC
The Competition:
SONOS AMP(new one) - Twice as expensive but has some real advantages 1) App control is better 2) can send analog input to other speakers 3) twice the power 4) has HDMI ARC input making it a little easier to connect your TV
SONOS Connec-Amp - 40% more expensive but has better app but about the same amp power (no HDMI input), you can't connect your TV's audio.
Others to consider: Bluesound Power Node, Hoes Amp, Klipsch Power Gate.
Bottom line: If you are already an Echo user get the Link or Link amp, otherwise think about going with Sonos for a bit more money. If this review was helpful, hit the "helpful" button!
I posted my detailed review and measurements to audiosciencereview. Some surprising finds were frequency response being limited to 24 kHz. From audibility point of view this is fine but be mindful that you would be wasting your money playing any high resolution/high sample rate content. Distortion is average for the amplifiers I have tested which means not so great.
When pushed, you literally hear the distortion through the case. Likely some coil is resonating.
Software configuration was problematic and took a number of tries. I was disappointed that I could not just use it with Ethernet and had to resort to setting up wifi which was difficult to get going. Seems Amazon has gone backward in reliability and simplicity of the original Echo devices.
I was surprised that there is no way to select inputs in the app. Worse yet you can't change the volume! Why oh why? Yes, there is a volume control but that only works for content you are playing from the app. The volume control is digital so why can't it be controlled remotely?
The overall functionality and build quality pushed me to put it on my recommended list but with reservations. Search for Amazon Link Echo Amp and audiosciencereview and you will find my detailed report.
I used to have a Sonos Connect + Echo Input + Auto Source Selector (for side-input from my record player). It was a clunky and buggy setup. The Echo Link Amp replaces all of these w/ a single device that my Echo can seamlessly hand off to. It also works great in multi-room audio playback.
I have a pre-existing whole home wired system with 5 sets of speakers. Previously these ran from my amp to the inputs of a non powered speaker selector box. I was able to plug the Echo Link Amp in the place of my stereo amp and it worked the same as prior. I now use Alexa on my phone for voice input from the backyard as well as my echo dot and echo spot inside the house.
I like the fact that when you are not playing music via Amazon Music on it, it automatically plays what is connected to the input. That is a nice feature. Also, the unit is smaller than expected and very nice looking.
Feature Product
- Upgrade your speakers with a built-in 60W x 2-channel amplifier, high-fidelity streaming music, and Alexa.
- Voice control music selection and playback with your compatible Echo device or the Alexa app.
- Connect Echo Link Amp to speakers and group with other supported Echo devices to play music throughout your home.
- Multiple digital and analog inputs and outputs provide compatibility with your existing stereo equipment.
- Casting to multi-room music from a line-in or Bluetooth input is not currently supported.
Description
We used this to make our hardwired outdoor patio speakers part of muti-room audio groups. For that purpose, it works great! We do not have any inputs connected, so I can't speak to that aspect.
Nice toy I enjoy.
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