Arylic S50 Pro+: Wireless Network Preamp. Budget Limitations vs. Capabilities.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
- 2channellistening@gmail.com
Interested in a Arylic S50 Pro+, look here: www.arylic.com...
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System Tested With:
Tekton Uruz - Speakers
Avalon Acoustics Radian - Speakers
Eryk S. Concept Performance No. 1 - Stand mount speakers
Philharmonic BMR V.2 - Stand mount speakers
Emotiva XPA 1L Mono’s
Eryk S. Concept Red King EL84 PSE Triode Tube Amp
Jeff Rowland 112 - Stereo Amplfier
Denon DVD3930CI (CD, DVD, SACD Player)
NAD C658 (Streaming, USB DAC)
Audience Ohno RCA cables
MIT Matrix 18, ZU Mission MKII - Speaker Cables
Thank You to intro music provided by
Bensound.com
“Evolution” composed by Ben Tissot
"Rumble" composed by Ben Tissot
I bought this to pair it with a pair of active edifier speakers to make it a system that doesn't rely on bluetooth and wired connections alone. Some comments from me on what you found out:
1. I have also an a50 amp for a pair of q acoustis 3020i and the multiroom works wonders between them. You can also use it with even cheaper products in their line. But it's a gimmic as I imagine all multiroom stuff is.
2. The above 75 distortion is there, I can hear it because it's actually a preamp connected to a preamp with my active speakers since they also have a volume control.
3. The d.bass button is made for the amplifier, it makes sense and works well there, absolutely useless on the preamp.
4. I have not yet managed to make the digital outputs work (I'd love to use it just as a streamer with my speakers).
5. You're bang on with all the quirks and the rest.
Thank you for sharing your experiences with this little streamer. Even with all its quirks, it remains an easy to use, very cheap, good alternative in the sub $400 range. The fact that its a decent digital preamp makes it very versatile. I still have mine! Cheers.
I have heard about some of the "idiosyncrasies" but not in-depth like this, thanks for more info than I got from other reviewers. The problems aren't enough to stop me from looking at these more seriously, quite the contrary, it might fit my needs for beaming music across my house. Thanks and Happy holidays!.
Glad it was helpful, that was my aim for this product.
Happy Holidays to you too!
Good review. Thank you for all of the information and detail. How would a product like the Bluesound Node compare to this? I don't have any music on a computer, I am only looking to use a streaming service like Tidal or Amazon HD. I also want it to be super easy to use.
Greetings. If you do not have a network attached storage to pull from and really wanted to focus on Tidal & Amazon HD, I would stick to the known and reliable Bluesound Node. If you are on a very tight budget, the Arylic will get the same job done for you and is very easy to stream from with the 4Stream app. Both are equal in ease of set up. The Node will be able to take advantage of the Hi Res files from Amazon and Tidal, where the Arylic is limited to CD only bit rate. I'm hoping the next model fixes that.
Happy hunting.
@@2ChannelListening Thank you. That's what my research and my gut were telling me. I'm looking forward to more reviews. I was especially glad to hear that you really liked the Zu Dirty Weekend MKIIs as I am anxiously awaiting a pair.
You should check out Allo Boss 2
Great review. Thanks!!!
Thank you Scott.
@@2ChannelListening It's Saturday and I was hoping that you would add to your reviews. Alas nothing yet. Hoping that your reviews return soon. Thanks.
As to Bluetooth so many people see (Hear) APTX-HD is best they have not yet tried LDAC at it's best, it is unbeatable. PERIOD!
That's when they will start implementing them directly to speakers, then we have something serious. Thanks for watching.
Hi, thanks for the review! So you are saying that even though the system decodes at 24bit, the analogue output can only produce sounds as though it were fed 16bit CD quality audio? Is this correct? Also is an additional pre-amp necessary for a turntable - the Pro+ is a pre-amp ... what is the practical implication of that?
Yes, it decodes, but does not pass on or offer 24/96 playback. As for phono, you would have to add a Project phono amp and run analogue to the S50 Pro. The S50 does not have ground or can handle direct from a phono. At the end of the day, its a $220 digital preamp with fairly flexible connectivity and a very easy to use interface. I have a pair of Q Acoustics A400's on hand and I absolutely loath its interface, having to use three apps to use the speakers. So, take that with a grain of salt.
Thanks for watching.
Hi thanks for this elaborate review. Did you try the digital outputs? Will it put through at least 192hz/24bit to an external DAC? So it would be just a streamer.
Thanks for watching. So you have to be careful, while the Arylic "Decodes" in 24/192, it does not pass 24/192 through to its outputs. I did use the digital coax out but that kind of defeats the purpose of having this all in one budget streaming/dac/preamp. Its best left as a simple to use streamer with decent volume control and flexibility connected to a good budget amp.
I thank this review for this info. It is truly misleading that other reviews talk about 192/24 without mentioning the output bandwidth
It's Sept 2023 :), When is this new "2022" updated version that doesn't limit the output to CD quality going to be released?
Good question. I stopped poking them.
here's an amplifier you might like to try if you get your hands on! croft audio integrated tube preamp with a solid state Poweramp happy New year
Thanks for the tip! If you like that, you would love this: www.ys-audio.com/a2plus.htm
I've owned two. A base model and modified unit with 7189 tubes - absolutely matched performance of an Audio Research LS17SE I had on loan.
@@2ChannelListening why the video stopped?!
@@hoobsgroove What are you referring to?
@@2ChannelListening I see you've just done one lol
Interesting tangent, Jason. I have my vinyl two channel rig in a spare bedroom. On occasion, depending on the music, my wife would like to hear it downstairs. I have spare amps and speakers. What would be a simple option in my case?
Hi Derek, the point of my tangent is more about the numbers. Are you saying you would turn on and let two or three stereo systems, running idle at the same time throughout your home. You would be one of the few who could use multiple Arylic's. Of course you would need multiple ethernet drops to ensure the syncing is on point. Most of the audio folks I know do have at least three systems, but none of them have ever talked about running three of them simultaneously. Each rig has a different purpose, and usually some tubes in there to boot.
More budget oriented buyers cannot afford to maintain three systems, let alone spend nearly $700 for separate streamers. I sort of belabored this point because Arylic pushed me on it. I do appreciate your feedback, thank you.
@@2ChannelListening Thanks Jason. I get what you're saying. Good point.
What is the latest firmware? it is with me 4.6.415145.35 from 2022 .04 .27 The update was supposed to be every six months.
Volume increases every five points 0-5-10-15-20... it should be every single point 0-1-2-3-4-5... How to fix it?
Is it possible to add radio stations that are on the Internet but not on the device? Many internet radio stations are not working.
Is it match with Denon pma1600ne?
Max, I would say it depends more on the speakers you will run. The Arylic will plug in great as a network streamer to the Denon, but you cannot bypass the volume control of the Arylic. If your speakers are below 85db sensitive, I am not sure what that will do as far as volume quality.
Do the unit decode DSD ?
There is nothing to indicate it will accept a DSD signal and I cannot remember if I was able to play my Stevie Ray Vaughn album. It does decode everything else below that, yet it is wasted since it will only pass 16/44 in playback.
@@2ChannelListening Thanks for your reply ! I was looking for a device able to decode DSD and I think I found SMSL DP3 - rather old , no internet services but accepts up to DSD256 . I have a great collection of DSD albums .
Are you done with the reviews bro?
Hi David, thanks for checking in. No, I am not done. I just had some circumstances of too many items I was sitting on and not enough funds for fresh turns - plus I needed a break to reset. I'm working through a few pieces right now. Dahlquist DQM-5's, Dynaco ST-70, Dali Rubicon 2C's with Sound Hub and eventually my Starke Sound on wall speakers.
@@2ChannelListening I'm glad you're still in the game. I assume this isn't your sole source of income and you have job, family, regular life commitments.
I do appreciate your style, your insight and the overall way that you conduct your reviews.
Very nice note David, I absolutely appreciate this and you. Yes, I'd be streaming music from the Library and homeless if I actually counted on income from TH-cam, lol. Its a hobby of sorts. Maybe in a few years I can get more serious with it, but for now, I like sticking with odd ball products and taking my time. Thank you.
Interesting review, thank You Jason! That kind of gear simply is not MY PERSONAL cup of tea. These flimsy remote controls, firmware issues, early end of support (EOL), small displays, I don't like that. I would rather prefer a standalone DAC with a (USB-C) wired connection to an up-to-date Android tablet in that $160 to $200 price range anytime. - Of course that constant USB connection is a mayor downside in my concept, that's for sure.
I understand. For me, the optics of staring at my USB cable across the room drove me nuts. Not a lot of high performing options at your price point, tough call. Thanks for watching
@@2ChannelListening The $160-200 was for the tablet only of course (sorry I did not make that clear), e/g by these numerous chinese brands contemporary 8 core 6GB RAM, 2K 11" display, Android 11, whatever...
DAC of course needs to be of proper quality!
Anyway most of the older DACs I still have with me do connect to Windows machines exclusively. Windows tablets like e/g Surface Pad in general are the better choice over Androids as USB sources - supporting USB asynchronous mode, ASIO, WASAPI Exclusive Mode, and more. While Android USB Audio is some kind of black box.
Android admittedly might just be good enough as secondary or tertiary setup for the majority.
However, when it comes to me I am unable to differentiate between clean and maybe not so clean USB signal at blind comparison (@Denafr' Ares II) - that's the only reason why I still use these cheap Android tablets as sources. - While a USB-C cable running from one's listening position straight to the "altar" is a constant mess, I fully agree! Regards!
Does it stream mqa over wifi?
This is what you get: (Spotify, Amazon Music, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Napster, TuneIn, Internet Radio, iHeart Radio, QQ Music, QQ FM)
Thanks for watching!
That’s horrible. Output only in 16bit
Honestly, it performed very reliably when connected via hardwire. It took a $3,500 SACD player to show a real gap in playback quality. I kept the Arylic as my back up and have let folks barrow it.
I’ve read clarifications in Reddit and ASR that the analog outputs maintain the juggle fidelity, and the CD quality applies to the digital output. Not sure which to believe now!
@@CrashTestingAudio the unit decodes 24bit signals, but only passes 16bit through the digital outs and analogue, I had the rep verify this for me when consulting on my review results. I was very forward about wasting the dac chip capability and they claimed the next version would correct and pass through bit ratings. ✌