The convenience and streaming sound quality from Sonos Wi-Fi speakers have convinced me to have converted all my CD music collection to FLAC files. But current Sonos speakers support music files in Windows media library up to only 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC, and don't support FLAC format at all on local NAS. These are big drawbacks for me to move forward more digitally. I ordered Arylic Up2Stream Pro V3 boards with goals to 1) upgrade all my legacy audio receivers to Wi-Fi streaming capability and be on a term with multi-room audio path; 2) additionally built my own Wi-Fi streaming floor-stand speakers.
The Up2Stream Pro V3 boards had a compact design layout, and were manufactured with high-quality components and PCB process. 3.5mm phone jacks for audio in and out were gold plated, so were the USB and Ethernet ports of course. The 5V power connector were adhered to the PCB prior to soldering, strengthened it for screw wire tightening - I only hope other manufactures could do the same. In-line connectors pin-outs were labeled on the under-side of the PCB, a very good practice. The board is packaged in a good quality clear nylon case, making it stand out from other brands of component boards - kind of like iPhone vs. all cellular phones before it. User Manual is provided on a trimmed downsize sheet. I wish the letters be enlarged 2X, as quite often I have to search for my magnifier to read the finest prints. On-line PDF format, unfortunately were cut to the same print format size, not helpful. The on-line PDF should at least provide a larger format print option. The content of the User Manual is brief but important. A thorough reading of the User Manual would gain you necessary understanding of the board.
Fig. 1: Power Connecter Build Quality
Fig. 2: Backside of PCB, good practice of connector pin-outs labeling.
The Wi-Fi operation relies on a mobile app 4Stream. The Wi-Fi connection supports 2.4GHz technology only, so on the first setting up, making sure your mobile device used is on a 2.4G band. Once connection established, your mobile device can be on either 2.4G or 5G band to control the App operations.
On board, Mountain View DSP chip is used, which has an A/D section supports up to 24-bit / 192k music streaming in, and four D/A converters for up to 16-bit / 48k music out. Although not 24-bit / 192k level audio output, this is an important "upgrade" from Sonos speakers and is on-par with the popular Analog Devices ADAU1701 performance. The "hi-res" music files in my collection finally can be digitally streamed and processed. I haven't had a chance to connect, but I2S pins are provided on board for off-board DAC or I2S Amp. The sound quality from this streaming board as is, is satisfying relative to generic CD player, or Bluetooth streaming. The biggest value of this board is its multi-room synchronized audio capability, which applies to floor-stand 4-way speaker build as well.
The Pro V3 board has two siblings. The simplified version saved from not having audio in, USB in, and Ethernet connectivity, I2S output is retained so audio quality upgrade path is still there, and this can be a better choice for speaker build. The more elaborated version includes optical/digital port and an upgraded DAC, which can be a better choice for a streaming amp build. Both will be tested in the near future.
A side note. I have two of the Pro V3 board, the first board went through setup smoothly without issue, but my second board had trouble connecting to Wi-Fi. At first I thought I had a defective unit, as the audio through Bluetooth is functioning. It turns out that a subpar 5V power supply is at fault, not the board. The board is measured to consume around 250mA of current, and at that rate some of the off-brand 5V battery chargers drop to <4V. So make sure a good quality 5V power source is used.
Fig. 3: My DIY preamp testing platform, using Arylic Up2Stream Pro V3 board (in the back corner) as music streamer. This is to upgrade legacy Audio/Video Receivers of different brands around the house to multi-room play.
Fig. 4: Arylic Up2Stream Pro V3 used in my floor-stand 4-way speaker build.
Fig. 5: 4-way speaker build under testing on an experimental platform box.
8 comments
Arylic
Hi Kathy, as long as everyone is on the same network, everyone can use our 4STREAM APP to connect the device.
And no problem streaming with their Spotify, they can stream directly from the Spotify APP when connected to your network.
Arylic
Hi NIall, You can choose B50 or H50 for the Bluetooth Transmission feature, and then you can connect to your powered speaker by Bluetooth. For other models, you need cables.
Arylic
Hi David, you can refer to this video about the different connections:
https://youtu.be/v4bDrdMkd28
If it is still not available, you can send a mail to info@arylic.com for customer service.
Arylic
You can try to reset the device to the factory settings or use the Lan cable for directly network connection.
If it still not available, you can send the mail to our customer service support info@arylic.com.
Includes your router, product model. Thanks
Ricardo Romero
Hello
Short time ago, my internet provider changed the modem of my house, with a new one, that also transmit in 2.4G. My device used to work well with the old modem, but when I try to connect to the new one, I get to the “waiting for wifi connection” step, I write the password, but inmediatly goes back to “entering setup mode, follow the instructions on your phone”, in an eternal loop.
What can I do?
Thanks
Kathy
I have the SA100 set up with speakers and an optical audio in from my TV, and also use it to stream music from my phone, and it all sounds great.
Can you explain the best way for friends to be able to use this system?
Will they have to also download the 4STREAM app, and can the SA100 take instruction from more than one phone? Will the TV still play its sound through the optical audio cable if I’m not here with my phone & app to select that option? Can others stream their Spotify through the SA100?
Thank you for addressing my concerns.
NIall
When I set them up in different rooms , can I connect them to powered speakers via Bluetooth tooth or do I need to connect wires as with passive speakers
David Burnett
Unfortunately it doesn’t work for me – on step 5 it comes up with a spurious (and incorrect) message about incorrect password. Is there any alternative method to entering the password for my home network. I can get the device to work with the app by hardwiring it to the network (via RJ45), but even then I cannot enter the home WiFi SSID and password using the app settings.
Leave a comment
All comments are moderated before being published.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.