This NEW $69 STREAMER Does MORE! Costs LESS! (Now On Sale!)

United States of Analog | August 22, 2024

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🎙️ Early Video Analysis

What is this video about?

This video is a review of the Aurillac S10 Plus streamer priced at $69. The host is comparing it to other budget streamers, particularly the WiiM Mini ($89), and discussing whether expensive streamers are necessary. The video is part of what the host jokingly calls “Streamer Week” on YouTube, as multiple reviewers are covering streamers simultaneously.

Gear, products, or brands discussed:

• Aurillac S10 Plus: $69 streamer, bar of soap shaped, includes LAN connection and standard remote
• WiiM Mini: $89 on Amazon, $69 on Aurillac site, hockey puck shaped, lacks LAN connection and standard remote, praised for great software and regular updates
• WiiM Ultra: New streamer everyone is talking about (host not getting review unit) [00:01:19]
• Bluesound Nano: Another new streamer (host not getting review unit) [00:01:28]
• Cambridge Audio Evo 150: $3000 streamer amp with big screen, highly recommended if you have the means [00:01:50]
• Bluesound Node: Mentioned as another option [00:03:15]

Host’s main opinions or takes so far:

• Bluetooth is inferior to Wi-Fi streaming – “lossy,” “noisy,” and “not as good” [00:02:41]
• The Aurillac S10 Plus does more than the WiiM Mini in terms of hardware features [00:03:16]
• WiiM Mini has great software with lots of updates and works fantastically – he uses it almost daily [00:03:09]
• Budget streamers are good options for people wanting to graduate from Bluetooth [00:02:29]

Strong recommendations or warnings:

• Recommendation: Cambridge Audio Evo 150 if you have the budget [00:02:55]
• Recommendation: Upgrading from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi streaming for better audio quality [00:02:34]

Funny moments, strong opinions, or memorable quotes:

• “Hi and welcome to Streamer Week on YouTube. At least that’s what it feels like” [00:00:00]
• Self-deprecating humor about not getting review units: “They don’t know who I am so I’m not getting one… They don’t know who I am either but I did get the Aurillac S10 plus. They know who I am” [00:01:24]
• “You can get a hockey puck shaped streamer or you can get a bar of soap shaped streamer. Your choice” [00:02:17]
• Reference to transmitting music “to your ear holes” instead of ears [00:02:41]

Summary

The host Bob opens this episode by acknowledging that multiple YouTube reviewers are covering streamers simultaneously, calling it “Streamer Week.” He introduces the Aurillac S10 Plus, a $69 streamer that costs $20 less than the popular WiiM Mini, and poses the central question of whether it does more or less than its competition while exploring how expensive streamers really need to be.

Bob establishes his credibility by mentioning his collection of various streamers, including multiple WiiM products and a high-end Cambridge Audio Evo 150. He positions this review as addressing budget-conscious consumers who want to upgrade from Bluetooth streaming but aren’t ready to spend thousands on premium equipment. The host makes it clear that while Bluetooth is convenient, Wi-Fi streaming is superior in terms of audio quality.

The early comparison between the Aurillac S10 Plus and WiiM Mini reveals some interesting trade-offs. While the WiiM Mini excels in software quality and regular updates (which Bob uses daily), the Aurillac offers more hardware features like a LAN connection and included remote control, despite being cheaper. This sets up what appears to be a value proposition analysis between established software excellence versus enhanced hardware features at a lower price point.

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⏱️ Mid-Video Analysis

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this portion?

• S10 Plus streamer ($69) [00:04:45]
• ESS DAC (suspected to be inside the S10 Plus) [00:04:11-00:04:15]
• Regular S10 DAC from “a relic” [00:04:27-00:04:29]
• 4stream app [00:06:06]
• Weem devices and app [00:06:12-00:06:15]
• Link Play platform [00:06:45]

What are the host’s key findings, verdicts, or opinions?

• [00:05:05-00:05:10] “It feels like from a hardware perspective this could be a better deal”
• [00:04:45] “So a lot going on here for 69 bucks”
• [00:06:07-00:06:12] Very easy setup: “it connected very very easily. Had no trouble getting this thing up and running”
• [00:06:40-00:06:41] “Very easy to use”
• [00:06:57-00:07:02] Limited EQ is “probably enough if you’re a recent graduate from Bluetooth and you’re new to streaming”

Any price/value assessments?

• [00:04:45] Positive assessment: “So a lot going on here for 69 bucks”
• [00:04:29-00:04:32] Comparison noting the regular S10 DAC “is even less” but lacks LAN input and optical out

Any comparisons to other gear mentioned?

• [00:04:27-00:04:36] S10 Plus vs regular S10 DAC: regular S10 costs less but lacks LAN input and optical out
• [00:06:12-00:06:19] 4stream app “looks exactly like the Weem app” and shows Weem devices
• [00:06:46-00:06:54] S10 Plus has fewer features than Weem – only treble/bass EQ vs full graphic equalizer
• [00:07:02-00:07:11] App “works exactly, exactly like the app that you get with your Weem products”

Any audiophile tips, advice, or how-to content?

• [00:04:17-00:04:26] Use the optical output to connect to a better external DAC for “improved sound”
• [00:05:10-00:05:14] Suggests users can “finally graduate from Bluetooth”

Any memorable quotes or strong takes?

• [00:05:10-00:05:14] “So yeah you can finally graduate from Bluetooth”
• [00:04:45] “So a lot going on here for 69 bucks”
• [00:07:07-00:07:11] “it works exactly, exactly like the app that you get with your Weem products”

Summary

This portion focuses on the host’s detailed examination of the S10 Plus streamer’s connectivity options and features. He walks through the back panel connections including LAN, USB, line in/out, and importantly an optical output that allows users to bypass the internal DAC (which he suspects is a low-end ESS chip) and connect to a better external DAC for improved sound quality. The unit also includes an OLED display, physical control buttons, and comes with accessories like a remote, power adapter, and cables.

The host is particularly impressed with the setup process and software experience, noting that the 4stream app looks identical to Weem’s app and even displays his existing Weem devices. He suggests there may be multi-room compatibility between this device and Weem components, though he admits uncertainty about this feature. While the S10 Plus has fewer EQ options than Weem products (only treble/bass vs full graphic EQ), he considers this adequate for users new to streaming.

Overall, the host presents a positive assessment of the hardware value proposition, emphasizing that the S10 Plus offers significant functionality for $69 and represents a meaningful upgrade path for users looking to move beyond Bluetooth connectivity. He positions it as an accessible entry point into higher-quality streaming while maintaining the option to upgrade the DAC section later through the optical output.

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🏁 Final Thoughts & Verdict

What gear, products, or brands are discussed in this final portion?

• Arylic S10 Plus streamer – $69 (on sale for $24.19) [00:08:22, 00:09:52]
• Go Control app – mentioned as potentially giving more flexibility [00:07:16]
• Tidal streaming service – experiencing issues with dropouts and noise [00:07:45]
• Bluesound Node – compared to S10 Plus, originally cost around $600 [00:08:29]
• Weem products – mentioned as comparison point, host hasn’t tested Weem Ultra yet [00:08:38]
• $3,000 streamers – used as high-end comparison [00:08:24]

What is the host’s final verdict or conclusion?

[00:08:22] The host poses the key question: “how expensive does a streamer need to be?” He concludes that while the S10 Plus doesn’t sound as good as a $3,000 streamer or the Bluesound Node, it’s very close to Weem products and offers excellent value at its price point.

Were there any final recommendations — buy, skip, or consider?

Strong Buy Recommendation:

• [00:09:02] “If you’re just getting into the streaming game, I think you’re gonna be fine with the S10 plus”
• [00:10:08] “But get it while you can”
• [00:09:53] Host emphasizes he “can’t emphasize enough how great of a price that is”

Any final tips, caveats, or advice for viewers?

Setup and Usage Tips:

• [00:09:38] Suggests hiding the unit: “Just put it underneath something. Put it inside of your cabinet or put it behind your amplifier out of sight”
• [00:08:48] Recommends using external DACs if available: “Use them if you got them”

Caveats:

• [00:08:04] May experience brief dropouts when actively using the app and tone controls
• [00:07:31] Host experienced dropouts in last 5 seconds of songs, but attributes this to Tidal issues rather than the device

How did the video wrap up?

[00:10:13] The host thanked Arylic for sending the product, thanked viewers “for being here in the United States of analog,” and directed viewers to click on YouTube’s recommended video to continue watching content on the channel.

Memorable closing quotes or strong final opinions

• [00:08:58] “I don’t know how a company like Arylic can do this”
• [00:09:23] “Who would know the difference between this and a really expensive streamer?”
• [00:09:53] “I can’t emphasize enough how great of a price that is”

Summary

In this final portion, the host wraps up his review of the Arylic S10 Plus streamer by addressing the fundamental question of how much one needs to spend on a streaming device. While acknowledging that the $69 unit doesn’t match the sound quality of high-end $3,000 streamers or even the Bluesound Node, he positions it as remarkably close to other budget options like Weem products and expresses genuine amazement at how Arylic can offer such performance at this price point.

The host’s recommendation is clearly positive, especially for newcomers to streaming, emphasizing the device’s 24-bit/192kHz capability, external DAC compatibility, and included accessories. He dismisses the minor technical issues he experienced as likely being Tidal-related rather than hardware problems, and suggests practical workarounds like hiding the modest-looking device out of sight while still enjoying quality streaming performance.

The video concludes with a strong endorsement to purchase while the promotional pricing lasts, with the host expressing gratitude to both Arylic and his viewers before directing them to continue watching related content. His final emphasis on the exceptional value proposition reinforces his belief that this budget streamer represents outstanding bang-for-buck in the audiophile market, particularly for those just entering the streaming ecosystem or seeking an affordable secondary system solution.

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Analysis generated from archived transcripts. Channel: United States of Analog — hi-fi gear reviews, vinyl, and audiophile culture.