Arylic S10 Wireless Streamer Review – Affordable Party in a Box
In this Article
INTRO
We previously reviewed other Arylic products, and now they have given audioreviews.org another featured packed entry level wireless streaming device the Arylic S10 to play with. While not considered an audiophile piece, the purpose of the Arylic S10 is more basic to serve as a multi-room wireless streaming box without stealing the money inside your wallet to achieve this goal. It’s available for the low price of $79 and packed full of features to serve as the backbone of a good leisurely party.
Disclaimer: Unit provided for free by Arylic. I am not a robot controlled by anyone so consider these thoughts my own.
GOOD TRAITS
- Lots of connectivity options, Wifi, LAN, Bluetooth, analog, USB audio, Apple Airplay
- Strong Bluetooth connection
- Small size
- Remote Control can allow it to act as a preamp device switching between various inputs
NEEDS IMPROVEMENT
- Specifications are below CD quality (SNR), but for background music use this is perfectly acceptable
- No USB-A to USB-A cable for connection to PC
- No optical input-this would make it useful for a preamp source select in a media room.
COMMENTARY
The Arylic S10 can be setup using the 4Stream app available from the Apple APP store or Google Play store. This unlocks the wireless and network streaming functionality where many apps can access the device such as TuneIn, IHeartRadio, Spotify, TIDAL, Internet Radio, Napster, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, Pandora as well as your local library on your phone.
The 4Stream app also allows you to select the inputs Wifi, Line In, Bluetooth, or USB DAC. There is also a section for favorites and MY Music which opens local files on the device or also searches your network for home music shares from a NAS (Network Attached Storage) DLNA, UPnP source. While not flashy, I appreciate the simple design of the app.
The app also allows the user to set an alarm, sleep timer, and EQ. There is also a multi-room function where multiple devices can be paired together or set as a master/slave or in a more inoffensive term (parent/child) configuration.
The final features of the app allow you to update firmware and rename the device so if you had multiples they can be assigned room names or whatever you want to call it for identification.
PACKAGE CONTENTS
- Device
- Remote (requires 2xAAA batteries)
- Micro-usb cable (power)
- USB power adapter
- 3.5mm to 3.5mm analog cable
- 3.5mm to RCA analog cable
- Instruction Manual
SOUND
While the Arylic S10 is not an audiophile device or as Alberto called it “low-fi”, the sound is acceptable for background music which is the purpose anyway. I don’t notice any major flaw in terms of noise and frequency response, just don’t expect to use as a high quality USB DAC given it’s 91db SNR rating. Great for parties, garage workshop, or backyard entertainment for example.
I put it to use at my place of work paired with a small Lepai/Lepy 15W amplifier and a pair of Athena bookshelf speakers. I also used it plugged into my JBL 104 studio monitors at home. The size is exactly the same footprint as the Lepai/Lepy amps that are popular for simple playback systems so that is a nice combo.
To further reinforce the party nature of the Arylic S10 device, the remote control unlocks audiophile repulsion features such as Bass and Treble controls and an extra special sauce called d.bass meaning kick up the deep bass for weak bookshelf speakers or just to boost low output for a fuller sound. After you are done mucking around, there is also a flat button to reset your insanity. Unfortunately the flat button only resets the bass/treble controls and not the d.bass. To turn off d.bass, it requires a secondary push of the d.bass button.
FINAL REMARKS
Stuck at home recovering from surgery, I find the Arylic S10 useful for providing uplifting music throughout my home while I perform low level tasks that do not require me to be stationary. For the price of $79 it provides an excellent grouping of features.
While I don’t have much else to compare to other than bluetooth only devices for the same cost, or Google Chromecast Audio that is single input, the Arylic S10 is a very competent device if you are in the market for a wireless streamer preamp packed full of features.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Wireless b/g/n 2.4Ghz
- Ethernet 10/100M RJ45
- Bluetooth 5.0
- USB Host 2.0
- Bluetooth Distance 15m
- Power input 5V/1A
- Audio Output 3.5mm mini-jack
- Frequency Response 20-20Khz
- Analog Input 3.5mm mini jack
- SNR 91dB
- THD 0.03%
- Music formats FLAC,MP3,AAC, AAC+, ALAC, APE, WAV
- Sample Rate 24bit/192khz
- Protocols Airplay, DLNA, UPnP, Spotify Connect, Qplay
- LED: NET-White power on/wifi mode, BT-Blue is bluetooth mode, USB-Red-USB mode, Aux-Green line input mode
- Dimensions 116.2mm*64mm*22.6mm (4.57*2.52*0.89in)
- Weight 0.2kg/0.44lb
DISCLAIMER
Get it direct from Arylic Store or on Amazon.
S10 is absolute rubbish. Although specs are listed as Tidal compatible, the device itself is not Tidal compatible.
Their Austrlian website says 30 free returns. I had to ship to China for $23 and after two months have not received a refund.
Ouch! Greetings to Sydney!