The Echo Link Amp is designed to give Echo owners options. Instead of settling for the sound from a couple of Echo speakers, this amp lets owners use a set of nice bookshelf speakers. Best yet, this replaces a large receiver generally needed to power speakers. At $299, the Echo Link Amp lives in a curious spot. It’s less expensive and smaller than a traditional home audio system. Yet it’s more expensive than smaller desktop amps with a similar power rating. Like its little brother, the $199 Echo Link, the $299 Echo Link Amp requires another Echo device. The Link and the Link Amp lack a microphone, which is needed to talk to the system. These two products are, if you will, the missing link between Alexa and better sound. There are less expensive ways to replicate a lot of the Echo Link Amp’s feature set. There are a handful of small and powerful amps available for around $50 that can take audio from an Echo Dot and power a set of speakers. I use a $30 Lepai amp to power a set of Yamaha outdoor speakers on my deck. I used this system to test the Echo Link Amp. Review It’s finally nice outside here in Michigan. The sun is out and the leaves are budding. I’m writing this from my deck where I have two Yamaha speakers connected to a small amp and an Echo Dot, which are mounted to the floorboards. It’s the best. I can yell requests to the Dot from my fire pit. The Dot and $30 amp have survived two Michigan winters, too. This is the perfect use case for the Echo Link Amp, though I’m sure Amazon will disapprove of the placement outside. That’s okay. Like when I tested the Echo Link, I enlisted the help of another Echo product to make switching between the audio sources a bit easier. Using an AV switcher I was able to connect everything simultaneously and press a button to switch between the sources. I cued up some summer BBQ music and stepped back, remote in hand. There wasn’t a difference. The $30 amp had the same bass response, vocal reproduction and soundstage as the $300 Echo Link Amp. On paper, the Echo Link Amp has more power, but in practice, that power did not result in a difference with these outdoor speakers. I disconnected everything and plugged the speakers directly into the amps. Nothing changed. Hank Jr. sounded the same. For better or worse, of course. I tried the system on a set of old Infinity speakers and had the same results. The sound had the same fidelity. On both systems the highs were just as high and the lows were just as low. The quality had the same, admittedly, lack of punch, but sounded good enough to blast Kenny Chesney throughout my yard. The $299 Echo Link Amp shares a lot with the $199 Echo Link. The main difference, as the name suggests, is the amp. The Link Amp has the ability to drive a set of speakers, whereas the Link needs to be connected to an amplifier. I found the Echo Link to be a fantastic addition to a home audio setup. The $199 device provides a digital connection lacking on other Echo devices and I found it to improve the audio quality of streaming services. The Echo Link Amp, however, is a touch disappointing, but at the same time very proficient at its job. Buyers are paying for the ease of use more than the quality of the amplifier. It’s clever too. If the connected Echo Dot is asked a question, it responds with the answer. This lets the owner turn off the amplifier and still retain access to Alexa. Only when the owner asks the Echo to play audio does it offload the task to the powered speakers. With a series of inputs, the Echo Link Amp can easily serve several roles, including as a 2.1 channel home theater receiver. The Echo Link Amp is a lovely device even though I find the audio quality lacking when compared to less expensive amps. It’s clever and I’m surprised Amazon is selling the device. While the rest of the Echo product line is a mass market play, the Echo Link and Echo Link Amp are designed for a smaller market. The Echo Link Amp features a set of functions unavailable on any other Echo device and the easiest way to add Alexa to a set of speakers.<doc-sep>Previous Next 1 of 9 Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Amp Riley Young/Digital Trends Echo Link Riley Young/Digital Trends With smaller smart speakers like Amazon’s Echo Plus and Echo Dot now littering living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens around the globe, it may feel as though Amazon has abandoned those of us who are in search of easy Alexa-based integration and the gorgeous sound that’s typically associated with big amplifiers and high-end speakers. Not so. First revealed at Amazon’s mega hardware event last November, the $200 Echo Link and $300 Echo Link Amp aim to bridge that divide, offering something for those in search of premium sound and the simple voice control of Alexa for their high-end audio systems. These devices aren’t cheap, and they’re also quite niche — but they do deliver on their promise to transform any “dumb” hi-fi system into a smart, sweet-sounding listening hub. Two devices, one design Both the Echo Link and Echo Link Amp are simple black boxes that could easily disappear inside your existing home theater or audio setups. Both feature large volume knobs on the front and nothing else, and even the LEDs that illuminate when you adjust the volume quickly disappear after you turn the dials, making these devices extremely unassuming and minimalist. The Echo Link is about half the size of the Echo Link Amp, due to the fact that it doesn’t actually power speakers on its own (more on that below), but even the larger Amp is about the size of a lunchbox, and thus very manageable to place in your home. The back of each device features two RCA ports (one for line in, one for line out), a coaxial input and output, digital Optical in and out, and an Ethernet port for wired internet (both models also feature built-in Wi-Fi). Somewhat strangely, neither of them come with a remote. That’s not too much of a hindrance, considering that you can use the Alexa app to control them with your hands, or any nearby Echo device to control them with your voice, but we still would have liked a piece of hardware for basic volume control. Continuing the minimalist approach, each device comes with zero accessories outside of a power cable and a tiny instruction booklet. As we’ll get into below, neither of the devices come with a microphone array, so you’ll need to use the Alexa app for control or, as was included in our review package, an Echo Dot or other Alexa speaker. To Amp or not to Amp While the Echo Link and Echo Link Amp are indistinguishable in terms of inputs and outputs, the $100 price difference between them essentially comes down to the fact that the Echo Link Amp can be directly connected to a pair of speakers. As the name implies, it has a built-in amplifier that’s rated at 60 watts per channel. That makes the Echo Link Amp an awesome way to power a pair of bookshelf speakers (we tested them with the Elac UniFi UB5 model we’ve been in love with for years) should you find yourself in need of a compact and relatively affordable Alexa-supported amp. This is also where it makes the most sense that Amazon included optical and RCA inputs, allowing you to connect devices like your TV or outboard audio gear like turntables to the Echo Link Amp. The thing is, many of us are not in need of another amp for our current listening setups, and instead are after a more high-fidelity way to get Alexa into our existing audio systems than what you’ll get by plugging in an Echo or Echo Dot via its 3.5 mm output. That’s where the smaller Echo Link comes in. It’s essentially a high-end, Alexa-integrated digital to analog converter (DAC), that allows you to stream your favorite music to your stereo at high quality. It can sit atop or alongside your current receiver or amplifier, adding Alexa functionality and ultra-clear streaming audio to your setup. Setup and features Once you connect the power cables and whatever audio cables are needed for your setup, both devices are quick and painless to get going using the Alexa app — especially if you’re already initiated in Alexa’s ecosystem. After opening the Alexa app, simply make sure the device is powered on and it will automatically go into setup mode. Just find them in the app, follow the on-screen instructions, and they’ll do the rest. One cool thing is that either device will even ask you if you want to make it the preferred playback device in a specific space, so if you have an Echo Dot in the same room (as we did), it won’t ever play music on the Echo Dot unless you ask it to. You can also tell each device which room you want it to be a part of, assuring that it integrates well into an Alexa-enabled multiroom listening system. There’s even a quality 3.5 mm headphone jack on the front of each device, should you want to listen with your favorite cans (though there’s no quarter-inch port). Once again, it’s worth noting that neither the Echo Link or Echo Link Amp have microphones built-in, meaning they won’t serve as stand-alone Echo devices with the ability to respond to voice commands, tell you the weather, etc. But even if you don’t have an Echo speaker, the Alexa app makes for a solid surrogate. Sound Quality The biggest thing you’ll want to know right off the bat is that both Link models offer significantly better audio quality than what you’ll get by plugging in an Echo Dot or other Alexa speaker to your stereo via the 3.5mm output. To test this, we listened to our favorite Radiohead tracks side-by-side running the Echo Link and Echo Dot into a Naim Uniti Nova amp and floorstanding KEF loudspeakers, and noticed a significant increase in clarity, low-end definition, and soundstage when we switched to the Link from the Echo Dot. That’s to be expected, as both Link models are purpose-built to integrate into high-end audio setups, where the 3.5 mm output on the back of the Echo Dot is more of a bonus feature for most people than anything. It’s also cool that the Alexa app lets you adjust equalization and various other audio settings for each Echo Link device, making it simple to tailor audio to your space. While we can absolutely envision Alexa-loving audiophiles adding an Echo Link to any number of hi-fi options, the Echo Link Amp isn’t really meant to power much beyond some quality bookshelf speakers (though there is a subwoofer output to add some oomph). Still, it was just about a perfect match for the aforementioned Elac UniFi UB5 speakers, with the high-end squeal of Miles Davis’ trumpet on Walkin’ and the bright synth lines from Rush’s 2112 leaping out of the soundstage. As a compact stereo amp with Alexa integration, it’s unlikely you’ll find much better sound quality for your $300. But if you’re looking for something with a bit more potential — and the ability to integrate into a full-on home theater system — its worth noting that companies like Yamaha are already making Alexa-integrated home theater amps and receivers for just a little bit more money, and those should work just as well to power speakers this size (as well as bigger systems). Should you buy a Link or Link Amp? There’s no question that both the Echo Link and Echo Link Amp are niche products designed for those with a somewhat niche problem — they want to bring Alexa to nicer hi-fi setups. Both are great solutions for this predicament. If you’ve got an Echo Dot, Echo Show, or other Alexa interface that you like, and you want to be able to use it to control your hi-fi system, these are a great way to do just that.<doc-sep>Amazon finally began selling its Echo Link Amp Wednesday, making it easier for audiophiles to bring internet-connected music streaming and voice control to their favorite pair of speakers. The Link Amp is available on Amazon.com for $299.99, and was first announced in September of 2018. The device comes with a built-in 2-channel amplifier, with up to 60W of power per channel. In addition to dedicated speaker outputs, it also comes with outputs for analog, optical, coax, headphones and a subwoofer, as well as analog and coax line-in. There’s an Ethernet port for wired connectivity, but the Echo Link also comes with built-in Wifi, and even supports Bluetooth for wireless audio streaming. The one feature the Echo Link Amp surprisingly doesn’t have is a built-in microphone array for far-field voice control. This means that consumers still have to add an Echo Dot if they want to use Alexa with the device. Also notable: While the Echo Link does support multi-room audio, it’s not actually capable of piping music from your record player, or any other audio sources directly plugged into the device, to other rooms. Amazon first showed off the Echo Link last summer when it introduced a range of new devices, including revamped Echo speakers as well as a Hi-fi audio adapter called the Echo Link that doesn’t come with a built-in amplifier. On Wednesday, the company announced that it would now also sell the Echo Link and Echo Link Amp in the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. In many ways, devices like the Echo Link Amp are an attempt by Amazon to move upmarket, and bring support for Alexa and its own music service to music lovers who would otherwise have bought a more expensive setup from companies like Sonos. Interestingly, this is happening just as Sonos is moving down-market, and introducing two budget-priced speakers in partnership with Ikea.<doc-sep>
Review: The $199 Echo Link turns the fidelity up to 11 How much would you pay to make Spotify sound better? The Echo Link takes streaming music and makes it sound better. Just wirelessly connect it to an Echo device and plug it into a set of nice speakers. It’s the missing link. The Link bridges the gap between streaming music and a nice audio system. Instead of settling for the analog connection of an Echo Dot, the Echo Link serves audio over a digital connection and it makes just enough of a difference to justify the $200 price. I plugged the Eco Link into the audio system in my office and was pleased with the results. This is the Echo device I’ve been waiting for. In my case, the Echo Link took Spotfiy’s 320 kbps stream and opened it up. The Link creates a wider soundstage and makes the music a bit more full and expansive. The bass hits a touch harder and the highs now have a newfound crispness. Lyrics are clearer and easier to pick apart. The differences are subtle. Everything is just slightly improved over the sound quality found when using an Echo Dot’s 3.5mm output. Don’t have a set of nice speakers? That’s okay; Amazon also just released the Echo Link Amp, which features a built-in amplifier capable of powering a set of small speakers. Here’s the thing: I’m surprised Amazon is making the Echo Link. The device caters to what must be a small demographic of Echo owners looking to improve the quality of Pandora or Spotify when using an audio system. And yet, without support for local or streaming high-resolution audio, it’s not good enough for audiophiles. This is for wannabe audiophiles. Hey, that’s me. Review There are Echo’s scattered throughout my house. The devices provide a fantastic way to access music and NPR. The tiny Echo Link is perfect for the system in my office where I have a pair of Definitive Technology bookshelf speakers powered by an Onkyo receiver and amp. I have a turntable and SACD player connected to the receiver, but those are a hassle when I’m at my desk. The majority of the time I listen to Spotify through the Amazon Echo Input. I added the Onkyo amplifier to the system last year and it made a huge difference to the quality. The music suddenly had more power. The two-channel amp pushes harder than the receiver, and resulted in audio that was more expansive and clear. And at any volume, too. I didn’t know what I was missing. That’s the trick with audio. Most of the time the audio sounds great until it suddenly sounds better. The Echo Link provided me with the same feeling of discovery. To be clear, the $200 Echo Link does not provide a night and day difference in my audio quality. It’s a slight upgrade over the audio outputted by a $20 Echo Input — and don’t forget, an Echo device (like the $20 Echo Input) is required to make the Echo Link work. The Echo Link provides the extra juice lacking from the Echo Input or Dot. Those less-expensive options output audio to an audio system, but only through an analog connection. The Echo Link offers a digital connection through Toslink or Digital Coax. It has analog outputs that’s powered by a DAC with a superior dynamic range and total harmonic distortion found in the Input or Dot. It’s an easy way to improve the quality of music from streaming services. The Echo Link, and Echo Link Amp, also feature a headphone amp. It’s an interesting detail. With this jack, someone could have the Echo Link on their desk and use it to power a set of headphones without any loss of quality. I set up a simple A/B test to spot the differences between a Link and a Dot. First, I connected the Echo Link with a Toslink connection to my receiver and an Echo Input. I also connected an Echo Dot through its 3.5mm analog connection to the receiver. I created a group in the Alexa app of the devices. This allowed each of the devices to play the same source simultaneously. Then, as needed, I was able to switch between the Dot and Link with just a touch of a button, providing an easy and quick way to test the differences. I’ll leave it up to you to justify the cost.