Arylic LP10 Airplay 2 and Google Cast Music Streamer Review

They are known for products like amplifiers, preamplifiers, and DACs that are designed for streaming music from various sources. The Arylic LP10 is a tiny powerhouse that can turn older pre-Bluetooth and Wi-Fi speakers and receivers into AirPlay 2 and Google Cast devices, by simply connecting the LP10 via analog 3.5mm mini jack auxiliary cable, RCA, USB, or the digital optical port to your non-streaming audio gear. The LP10 has built-in apps like Tidal and Spotify Connect. I was intrigued to try this little (smaller than my iPhone) box on some non-AirPlay or Bluetooth gear I have. Could it really turn my old Bose SoundLink Mini speaker into an AirPlay speaker? I unboxed the LP10, got out the manual, and got to work.

The tiny LP10 brings new life to non-streaming audio gear. Beloved vintage gear like older receivers, active speakers, or portable speakers are now Bluetooth, Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Tidal Connect, and Spotify Connect capable. I have a Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth portable speaker. In 2013, I thought it was the coolest little speaker around, and I played it everywhere, outdoors and in the kitchen. Connected to my iPhone by either primitive early Bluetooth or a 3.5mm mini jack auxiliary cable, it was a sophisticated music player, and for its day, it did have very good sound. However, as Bluetooth Codecs evolved, the Bose SoundLink Mini didn’t, and that old Bluetooth began to show its limits when compared to the speakers with both advanced Bluetooth and AirPlay, and Google Cast. The Bose SoundLink Mini ended up on the shelf, and I moved on. Then the sophisticated little LP10 arrived, and the Bose SoundLink Mini got dusted off and put to the test.

Arylic is an audio company whose byline is “Engineers by trade, music lovers at heart”. Founded in 2018, Arylic was founded by three men who go by their first names (even on the Arylic website). Ryan (CEO), Frank (CTO), and Landon (CHO). Between them, they brought decades of experience serving major corporate clients in the smart tech and audio industries. Their early products were circuit boards for the DIY community.

Ryan had an experience that led him to develop Arylic’s first product. He wanted a wireless speaker that would connect seamlessly with his iPhone. He was frustrated by clunky Bluetooth options and closed ecosystems, so Ryan joined forces with Frank and Landon. Together, they designed a tiny circuit board that could transform any speaker into a wireless speaker controlled by an iPhone. This prototype became the Up2Stream Mini, a Wi-Fi streaming circuit board which they shared with the DIY community. At the end of 2018, they introduced the A50 Amplifier, which became Arylic’s first finished product. Their goal was to provide affordable studio-quality products with an easy-to-use interface to the marketplace. The company has grown tremendously, but they still build products for the average consumer. Their focus continues to be on simple wireless technology, because, as the Arylic team says, “Music shouldn’t be complicated. It should flow through your home like air.”

When I was asked if I would like to review the Arylic LP10, I confessed that I wasn’t sure what it was for. Streaming in our household is simple. We are an Apple ecosystem, and everything musical is connected by AirPlay 2. Our wireless speakers are HomePods, and our A/V receiver is Internet-ready as well. I don’t use any stand-alone streaming devices or services like Roon, so I was at a loss for how to test it. As I previously mentioned, I did have an old Bose SoundLink mini that I dusted off, so I put it on the charger and got to work figuring out how to put the two devices together. My second non-wireless audio device is my Pass Labs HPA-1 headphone amplifier. It doesn’t have a built-in DAC, so it was a perfect test to see if I could use a 3.5mm mini jack to RCA adaptor and have the LP10 be the DAC and music source.

The small carton should have given me a clue that the LP10 is tiny, but I was still surprised when I took the LP10 out of its well-padded nest. The LP10 is about the size of a deck of cards, smaller than my iPhone. Its toy-like appearance and weight understate its capabilities. There are three ways to operate the controls. Touch buttons line the top and light up when touched, and control power, vol., and pause/play. The OLED screen, though small, shows the current mode, including a Wi-Fi signal strength icon. There is an IR remote that duplicates the buttons, plus all the remaining options like selecting Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, and the various connections. It also has a set of EQ buttons. The third control is the Go Control mobile app (available for both Apple and Android mobile devices), which manages multiple devices, setup for the Wi-Fi connection, selects audio input mode, and provides playback control. The Go Control app is also the way to access various music sources, like Tidal Connect.

Included in the box are an infrared remote, a USB-A to USB-C Power cable and plug, a 3.5mm jack-to-jack aux cable, a 3.5mm jack-to-RCA stereo phone cable, and a user manual.

The LP10 is designed to sit next to or on top of the device it is controlling. That can be a bit of an issue, because the power cord is short. I needed an extension cord unless the audio device and the LP10 were next to a power outlet. After downloading the Go Control app, the next step is the network setup. This step took several attempts (in fairness, my inexperience may have played a part) before connecting to Wi-Fi, though it is also possible to connect via LAN using an RJ45 cable and connecting to a router. After a few seconds, it will connect to the network, and once connected, it remains connected, and the LP10 can then be moved to any location. Bluetooth is found by a press of the BT button and the usual pairing set-up with wireless devices.

For connecting to the Bose SoundLink Mini, I connected the LP10 via the included 3.5mm mini jack aux cable and then played music by both Bluetooth and AirPlay 2. Hearing the Bose speaker play music provided by AirPlay 2 was a small revelation. There was a clarity and richness I hadn’t heard before.

I could play music from the Go Control app, selecting the numerous internet stations included with the LP10, or Apple Music via either Bluetooth or AirPlay 2. It worked from any of my Apple devices, mobile or laptop. I didn’t test this feature on any Android devices.

The 3.5mm mini jack to RCA cable was used to connect the PassLabs HPA-1 headphone amplifier.

I plugged my HIFIMAN Arya Organic headphones into the Pass Labs HPA-1 and fired up Apple Music through AirPlay 2. I couldn’t stop smiling. No connection to my laptop or DAC. Just a tiny black box and the amplifier, and I was rocking to Hi-Res music. The music was clear, detailed, and punchy. I listened to “End of the Line” by the Traveling Wilburys. All the lively guitar work and voices sounded great.

Looking for an easy and affordable way to bring modern streaming capability to vintage or completely analog gear? The Arylic LP10 is just the ticket to teach your older gear some new tricks!

When the Arylic engineers say that “Music shouldn’t be complicated. It should flow through your home like air,” I say hallelujah! The world of streaming just keeps getting better. The folks at Arylic make affordable advanced streaming technology available for the average consumer. I wasn’t familiar with Arylic when I started this review, but I’ve ended up deeply impressed. There are a few other similar products on the market now, but none as small or as affordable as the LP10.