I set up a simple A/B test to spot the differences between a Link and a Dot. 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. The Echo Link, and Echo Link Amp, also feature a headphone amp. It’s an easy way to improve the quality of music from streaming services. 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. The Echo Link offers a digital connection through Toslink or Digital Coax. Those less-expensive options output audio to an audio system, but only through an analog connection. The Echo Link provides the extra juice lacking from the Echo Input or Dot. 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. To be clear, the $200 Echo Link does not provide a night and day difference in my audio quality. The Echo Link provided me with the same feeling of discovery. Most of the time the audio sounds great until it suddenly sounds better. The two-channel amp pushes harder than the receiver, and resulted in audio that was more expansive and clear. I added the Onkyo amplifier to the system last year and it made a huge difference to the quality. The majority of the time I listen to Spotify through the Amazon Echo Input. I have a turntable and SACD player connected to the receiver, but those are a hassle when I’m at my desk. 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. The devices provide a fantastic way to access music and NPR. There are Echo’s scattered throughout my house.

And yet, without support for local or streaming high-resolution audio, it’s not good enough for audiophiles. 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. Here’s the thing: I’m surprised Amazon is making the Echo Link. Everything is just slightly improved over the sound quality found when using an Echo Dot’s 3.5mm output.ĭon’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. Lyrics are clearer and easier to pick apart. The bass hits a touch harder and the highs now have a newfound crispness. The Link creates a wider soundstage and makes the music a bit more full and expansive. In my case, the Echo Link took Spotfiy’s 320 kbps stream and opened it up.

Echolink receiver