HEOS Link Wireless Pre-Amplifier For Multi-Room Audio - Series 2 (New Version), Amazon Alexa Compatibility, Powered Subwoofer Connection, Black with Silver, 2.91 x 6.14 x 5.83

I recently decided to upgrade to an Amazon Music Unlimited subscription from the basic Prime Membership, and added on the HD option along with that. My goal in doing this was to essentially have an entire CD collection at my fingertips. Now I needed something that could play all of that music through my existing AV receiver and speakers. I have spent years building my system, and it plays everything from LP's to cassettes, SACD's, CD's and HD Radio. I did not want to be forced to listen to my Amazon subscription only through my phone, computer or some 'smart' speaker. The Denon HEOS Link is the perfect match. I can output the audio signal via both the analog and digital outputs, depending on what I need. The sound quality using the onboard Burr Brown 32-bit DAC is excellent over analog. I can now play all of the music in the Amazon library at HD quality (same specs as CD @ 44.1khz/16bit) or Ultra HD (up to 192khz/24bit). It is like suddenly having access to every CD in the world, but now easily played through my own home stereo system. From a design standpoint, the HEOS link is a small, attractive box with a silver finish and a modern look. It has a solid weight to it. The HEOS app is easy to use and play music through. It can display the file-type of each track it plays (i.e. FLAC 96khz/24bit) so I know the quality of the recording I am listening to. You can also connect the HEOS Link to Alexa, which will then allow you to use the Amazon Music app to play music through the HEOS Link, just in case you happen to have a preference on app interfaces, or need access to the 'My Music' section of your collection. Additionally, the HEOS Link connects to many other music services (such as Pandora, which I also use because I like their music discovery algorithm the best), and can be used to play music over your home network or via USB. All in all, for my specific situation and for what I was looking for, this was the perfect fit. I highly recommend it. [UPDATE 9/28/2020] - I still love my HEOS Link, and the overall concept behind it, which is to be able to stream CD quality or higher music to my existing legacy stereo system. However, I can no longer recommend its integration with Amazon Music. After some recent updates to Amazon Music, there are the following issues: 1.) The first song of an album will always start a few seconds into the song. Irritating over time, as I am using this device to essentially replace my CD catalog and therefore expect it to play as well as CD's. 2.) While playing an album, it will suddenly skip to the next song, for no apparent reason. 3.) Every now and then it will simply freeze playing a song, requiring a hard reboot of the HEOS. I suspect these issues are mainly on the Amazon Music side, and the frequent changes their development teams are making, that limit how well the HEOS folks can keep up. The reason I suspect this is that using the HEOS with Tidal exhibits none of these issues. Amazon Music has always had somewhat limited integration from the beginning (i.e. no playlist support), so something about their implementation is different. Tidal integration is great, I can create playlists and use the queue, and none of the issues mentioned above are present. The first song starts right up, there is no random skipping tracks, or freezing up. There are some caveats to using Tidal: 1.) Tidal streams FLAC at CD quality (44.1Khz/16 bit), but their "master" quality tracks use the proprietary MQA format, which is not supported by HEOS, so CD quality is as high as you can go through HEOS (which is fine for me). Amazon streams their UHD in FLAC format, up to 192Khz/24 bit, so you can theoretically get higher quality through the HEOS, but then, does that matter if it doesn't work? 2.) Tidal is more expensive than Amazon Music HD, especially if you are already a Prime member and prepay. This one is harder to swallow, but again, if the playback is buggy, it is worth the extra $7 or so per month to me to get perfect playback. By the way, I can confirm that both services use the same source files - the track "Down Home Rag", from the album, "Now & Then", by the band "Trapezoid" was clearly made from the same scratched CD. The FLAC version on both Amazon Music HD and Tidal have the skips from the scratched disc encoded into the file. So, long story short (too late), while I would prefer to use my HEOS Link with Amazon Music HD since it is cheaper and I can leverage the higher resolution FLAC files, I have switched over to Tidal, because of the superior integration and stability it has within the HEOS app.

The HEOS Link solves a big problem, namely how to pipe high-resolution digital files to my old-school stereo receiver. I had considered other options. Maybe I would place the stereo receiver near my home theater receiver. What this means, however, is that I end up with speakers stacked on top of speakers, and I also need to have my HT receiver on while listening to music. Cross that one off. Next I did a search for "DACs with ethernet," thinking I could find a DAC that could access my NAS drive. What this search revealed was that there's little offered in this area, and what is available is expensive. Then I discovered the HEOS Link, which is actually a network player. The HEOS is more reasonably priced than the Cambridge network player or the Bluesound Node 2. I figured I would give it a shot. Some reviewers have described the HEOS Link interface--this is accessible via free app on your phone or tablet--as baffling, but I did not find that to be the case at all. I plugged in the unit, signed up for a free HEOS account, downloaded a firmware update--and it worked flawlessly. The interface has some hidden features, but if you tap around for a bit, everything becomes intuitive. The HEOS Link found my NAS drive immediately, and the Tidal interface works--at least as well as a Tidal interface can work (that's a topic for another day). Maybe wi-fi is more problematic? What about sound quality? First of all, let's talk about what the HEOS link can do. The HEOS Link can play files up to 24/192, which is to say 24-bit depth and 192Khz sampling. As the HEOS app plays, you can observe the quality (and format) in the upper left, just to make certain that the original resolution matches the output. Most of my files are lossless FLAC files, and I observed no instances in which the HEOS Link down sampled. Except-- Tidal. I have a hi-fi Tidal membership, which offers, in some cases, high-resolution files, but even in these cases, the quality shows 16/44, which is the same as a CD. The problem, however, is not the HEOS Link so much as the Tidal software, which cannot, outside of the desktop app, decode high-resolution MQA files (these are all typically 24-bit or greater). So even though an album will be available in 24/192, the resolution will show at 16/44 when you stream Tidal directly to the HEOS Link. Maybe Tidal or Denon will solve this issue at some point? (Tidal hasn't solved it yet for phones or tablets, so I wouldn't hold my breath) *** What I love about the HEOS Link is that I can create playlists of songs from various sources (for example, some from your NAS, others from Tidal and other music services). But what about sound quality? From my old-school stereo (Luxman r-115) and Kef Q150 speakers, the quality sounds great, full and vivid, with plenty of detail. I couldn't be happier. Open the HEOS app on my iPad and listen to a near-unlimited catalogue of high-quality music. The days of changing CDs and records are long gone. A few negatives: 1) When listening to music, if you keep clicking around from one album to another, you may find that you inadvertantly create and interminably long to-play queue. 2) Creating playlists from multiple sources can take some thinking on your part, especially if you want songs to play in a particular order. I have not tested these things: 1) Music services other than Tidal 2) The HEOS Link's wi-fi connection (prefer having my electronics wired) 3) The HEOS also has various types of input/output connections including optical, coaxil, etc. I have only used the pre-outs to connect to my stereo 4) Multi-room capabilities (with HEOS Link units in other rooms) *** I did find a solution for the Tidal issue--and if you have a MAC, you can use this as well. Audivarna software can decode ("unwrap") MQA files from Tidal and stream them directly to the Denon HEOS. Issue solved! (and I'm sure there's some equivalent PC software that can do the same.) NOTE: I can't hear a significant difference between, say, 16/44 & 24/96, but it's nice to have your music in the best resolution available.

The HEOS Link generally works well and as advertised (although arguably this was not always the case previously). In combination with the smartphone app, it provides a convenient interface to stored audio files, bluetooth, as well as commonly-used online sources (currently Tidal, TunedIn, Spotify, SiriusXM, Pandora, Amazon, Deezer, IHeartRadio, SoundCloud, Mood:Mix). Our system has two separate HEOS Links in different rooms (one Series 1 and one Series 2). Audio sources can be played independently in each room or tied to play from a single source, which is a nice feature. Quirks and "things to know": In my experience the HEOS Links have not always work flawlessly with wireless networks even in optimal circumstances (good RSSI and minimal competition with other network traffic). The smartphone app would occasionally "hang" and not find the Links on our system. However this now works well - it is rare now for the app to fail to find a Link or "hang" when the app is started on our Android phones. I have found the Links to work well with both 4G and 5G wireless networks. (Contrary to the documentation, you may control Links on a 4G network from both 4G- and 5G-connected smartphones.) You do need reasonably connectivity of course, and a little experimentation may be required to locate your unit. As a rule of thumb, if you can watch a youtube video without breaks on your phone, you can run your Link there also (assuming the same network for both). Binding Links together to run from a single source (connecting "rooms" in the app) does work, but I have found this function to balk occasionally when linking or unlinking rooms. (However, this is one time that simply "re-trying" does the trick.) That said, when Links are bound together to run from a single source the synchronization between rooms is quite good, providing functional multi-room audio functionality (as advertised). The app interface for the online sources can be minimal - I find it most convenient to set up playlists etc. on the individual apps such as Tidal, and use the HEOS Link app for simple actions such as selecting a source. The app, after a long development journey, is now generally well organized and functional. There is a "Favorites" option that works across all sources, and this is how I normally select music. One "gripe;" the app devotes inordinate space to quasi-advertising that we don't need - e.g. the Tidal gadget in the app takes up half of an Android screen with "What's New" and "Exclusives". Local audio files can be played as a source, but there are caveats: I have been unable to use the common .wma format with the Link - to date these files must be converted to another format like .mp3 to work successfully. Along with the still-touchy "room" interface, this in my view is one of the most significant weaknesses of the HEOS Link. Volume balance can be adjusted between rooms rather easily, but we have found no way to compensate for baseline volume differences between source systems (e.g. SiriusXM to TunedIn to Tidal). It's a minor inconvenience, but a source-compensation setting would be welcome feature. In my opinion, what the HEOS Link "brings to the table" is convenience, online music sources not always available on other systems, synchronization between rooms, and - last but certainly not least - good sound quality. Nonetheless: if you play audio in a single room and from a single source (e.g. Roku) you may find your pre-amplifier built-in sources or Roku apps to be perfectly satisfactory. Finally: The HEOS Links are not inexpensive. While the Link is arguably a good value for the money, it will set you back the best part of $400 per unit. I have not encountered significant price discounting, to date.

I think I'm the first person to write a review that didn't get this for free, so let that be as it may. Let's make something very clear to begin with: compared to the Sonos software, the HEOS software is pitiful at best. It's buggy, it's convoluted, and it's confusing. But I digress. The main problem is the hardware. The main reason I bought this (as an audiophile (but also a rational one)) is that it had a lot of handy features over the Sonos Connect. The HEOS Link has the ability to trigger a power amplifier, it has optical/coax-digital out to use an external DAC, and it can even act as an analog pass through and pre-amp for a CD player, record player, or tape desk. What's not to like?! Well... the most important thing: the sound. What the actual dickens... the digital audio quality is pitiful. I am a TIDAL customer so I logged into my account and played my favorite track. I noticed considerable distortion on my high-end speakers and it had a "low-res lossy" vibe. The HEOS confirmed it was streaming lossless quality so I thought it might be my DAC which I was running coax digital out to. I unplugged the DAC and used the analog out on the HEOS (relying on the internal DAC) and it sounded about the same. Poor. Granted, my equipment is pretty high-end so when I plugged it into some cheaper monitors, it sounded "okay." The irony is that Denon markets this as a DSD-playing Hi-Fi streamer, but if the digital sound quality is poor, what's the point? Maybe I have a defective unit. Or maybe the latest firmware update is faulty. I don't know. But I sure hope so. Because this thing sucks. Regardless, assuming it worked, the mobile apps would still be terrible. If you're not on high-end gear, get the Sonos Connect—it has by far the best software experience. If you're on high-end stuff, get a Bluesound Node 2 or AURALiC Aries. You'll forgo handy features that this unit provides, but on the flip side, you'll get a streamer that actually sounds good with software that actually works well.

Value wise this is an 6 stars. From an pure audiophile's perspective, the lack of balanced digital out (AES/EBU) and an IEC power cord could only justify 4 stars. Thus, a 5 star product! An quick but very important note: I don't seem to see Denon ships this with any media server software. Like many network music players, the usability of any network player is only as good as the quality of the media server. PnP, for example, is useless since it's too slow by nature, without any meta-data caching. In my computer music setup, I use Logitech Media Server (free from Logitech) which is outstanding for it's search/browsing speed due to its meta-data caching capabilities. Pros: 1) Sound quality is near audiophile quality. 2) Great support of high resolution files. 3) Once setup, very easy to use. 4) Amazon Music integration is awesome! NOTE: Some websites claim the iOS app cannot search Amazon Music. This is not true. I could search songs by track name, artist or album name. Cons: 1) Must use wired ethernet connection during initial setup 2) The unit seems to have "power saving" or "sleep" mode after idle for a while. One may need to wake it up by power off/on cycle. 3) Cheap power cord 4) No AES/EBU digital output 5) The iOS App could be friendlier 6) Does not support AIFF (ouch!!!!!) --- Not a deal breaker, one may use xAct (free) to convert AIFF files to FLAC. Sonos is more robust at the expense of inferior sound quality. If you don't mind a little more extra effort, go with Helios. If you are just a casual listener who doesn't wanna bother with anything, go with the Sonos.

It works for my needs! This is exactly what I needed. It connects to bluetooth. It connects to my music clients such as sirius or amazon music. So if you're looking for, i guess something like that and it connects to your home entertainment system. Then your good!

I gave this item every opportunity to be what it is supposed to be... Getting it connected to my existing Denon AVR was fairly straightforward. I was able to use a fiber optic connection for the audio signal and I used the hardwire IR cable connection for the control. Then the troubles started... I installed the HEOS app with minor issues. I have both an IPhone and iPad. I had to install and remove the app a few times on the iPad to get it to function. Then, I could not get the device to connect to my network using either the iPad or IPhone app. It would not even begin the search. After going through the troubleshooting steps I had to connect the device directly with the network via an ethernet cable. Once connected I was able to go back into the settings and connect to the network via WIFI. First issue solved. Then came the realization that functionality was just not there... The device says it connects with Alexa... Not true. Alexa will not control the HEOS Link as a 'speaker' even though that is its sole function. The device shows up in the Alexa app but will not recognize the device as a speaker. This means you can not stream music to it from the Alexa device. (This function works perfectly fine with the Denon Home speakers just not the Link.) When streaming from the HEOS app to the Link the controls are sketchy. I was able to start playing music and then the system locked up and I could not stop or change the music. I had to unplug the unit to get it to reboot and start over. This was an intermittent problem that recurred a number rof times. Also I found out that the volume control was a press to adjust by increment instead of the slider that is used by the Denon Home speakers. While this in and of itself is not the worst it prevents you from being able to change the volume across the whole system when streaming to multiple rooms. The Home speakers all work on the slider but the Link to my AVR would not change volume at all when grouped with the rest of the system. This is unacceptable and IMHO, makes the system worthless. I had high hopes the HEOS (Home Entertainment Operating System) would seamlessly harmonize my Denon AVR and Denon Home speakers for a whole house music experience but was sorely disappointed. Sending it back.

I have been thinking of getting a streamer for a year or more. The price scared me most of all, the best going over 2k and most of the least exceeding 500 dollars. I have been using my phone. (S8 plus) and a DAP (r6) to get my music off the server. It worked but was a pain being attached to the usb wire. The plus being that I could get full unfolding off of Tidal. I started getting a feel for this streamer a few months ago. Another one for 200 more was highly praised and I was leaning towards it for a while. The real hold back on this was the stream of complaints about the software. Figuring I could take advantage of the great return policy and test it out. It came quickly despite everything else being delayed because of the Chinese virus. I waited for my wife to go to bed and installed it. I had a few problems because of the lack of detail in the instructions but all my other problems was my equipment or me. It was easy to install but the lack of an optical cable slowed me down. I know I had one but it took my an hour to find it. My next problem was linking this to my phone. It downloaded the software but refused to install. So I decided to install it on my tablet. That installed. (I had to reboot my phone to install the software.) Then I followed the instructions and pressed a button to get it to link. That did not work. After trying a few times I used my flashlight to get a better view of the back. Sure enough there was another button on the lower right side. That got it linked and there was nothing else I would need to do. Only problem was no music. The next step was to put everything back the was it was. Humm no music. All setting were correct. I went into troubleshooting mode and started to swap out things, starting with the headphones. MUSIC! My cats had run by and must have pulled the cable loose. With that done I set this up again. No music. Took out the flashlight again and saw there was an input and an output connection. I had only expected an output. Of course given a 50/50 shot I picked the wrong one. Swapped that to the correct port and retested. MUSIC. So, put back the hd800s cans and went to the software. Now I had been using bubbleup on my phone. Perhaps that is the reason I found the software easy to use. I have never used roon or the other competitor so perhaps there is some major tool they provide and I'm too ignorant to be missing it. It found my server with ease. I can swap between the server and Tidal, play my lists or search for music. It is quick and fast. What more can I ask for? Then came the surprise. This is hard to explain but the music is more musical. This streamer has brought out the best of my system I never knew I was missing. I often read while listening to music. I have a hard time doing that now. The music is too distracting to read. It is a big step up. Perhaps this brought out the best of my gear. I have no idea how it happened but this inexpensive device improved the sound on my system so much that I'm addictived to it. Being retired I have the time to listen all day. There are still things to do so I cannot do that but I look forward to the evening so I can get in 4 to 6 hours of music before going to sleep. TV time has been cut in half. If not for my wife tv time would be zero. Now I have to get this sound to my den and living room. I'll have to work my budget for two more of these magic boxes.