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  • Stack Audio Link II Network Bridge Reviews

       (3 reviews)
    Manufacturer: Stack Audio
    Model: Link II
    Price $: 895

     

    link-product-main-img-4.jpg

     

    https://stackaudio.co.uk/link2/

     

    The LINK II works as an endpoint for the following protocols/programs

    • Roon - Roon Ready Certified
    • Audirvana
    • Squeezelite
    • UPnP/DLNA
    • Airplay® (Shairport-Sync )
    • Spotify® (Librespot)
    • HQPlayer (coming soon)
    Audio Feature Summary
    • The LINK II uses an ultra-low phase noise oscillator
    • Power circuitry is synchronized to the USB audio clock
    • Ethernet input is synchronized to the USB audio clock
    • Three independent switching regulators are synchronized to the audio clock. This ensures that the fluctuations of the switching circuit are in time with that of the audio clock reducing fluctuations and noise interference.
    • Nine organic low resistance capacitors help filter and purify the power.
    • A triple linear regulated circuit purifies remaining noise.
    • The USB audio output and clock circuit has its own independent power rail
    • Multi-stage ultra-low noise linear regulated power circuit
    • USB audio optimized output provides jitter free audio layback
    • The advanced clock circuitry re-clocks any USB input

     

    Mechanical Feature Sumary
    • Machined from a solid billet of aluminum
    • Incorporates EMI absorbing material to remove internal EMI
    • The mass of the case dissipates air-borne vibration
    • Incorporates AVDC vibration trap

     

    Inputs
    • 2 x USB inputs (Future use)
    • 1 x USB B detox input 
    • Ethernet input

     

    • Ethernet
    • USB
    • Wi-Fi
    • Bluetooth

     

    Outputs
    • 1 x dedicated USB audio output 
    • HDMI out (not i2s, or used)



    User Feedback


    TomJ

       3 of 3 members found this review helpful 3 / 3 members

    Hello,

    I would like to report here about my great experience with Stack Audio Link II.

     

    I was looking for an upgrade for my now aging Squeezebox Touch, which powers my RME ADi 2 DAC for my headphone setup via an Intona USB Isolator. I am an avowed USB fan, so S/PDIF was not a selection criterion. Additionally, the new streamer should be able to integrate into my Squeezebox LMS server landscape.

     

    So I looked in various forums and after some research I found out about the Stack Audio Link II.

    The alternatives were 

    • Allo USBridge Sig
    • Sotm sms-200
    • Pro Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra

     

    I became aware of the Link II, because the device was developed by the famous John Westlake (who also made the concept for the Proj-Ject).

     

    This is not just a Pi3 box - its is a very carefully designed audio device.

     

    What I liked directly about the Link II in contrast to the other streamers, are on the one hand its workmanship with the massive, vibration-reducing housing and the effort that is made with regard to clocking and power supply.  

    So I contacted Theo Stack and after a few mails I ordered a Link II.

     

    The Link II is playing now in the following chain:

     

    Fritz-Box ADSL Router - CAT 8 cable - Windows 2008 Server - modded Supermicro Nic - horizontal Cat6 cable - wall outlet - 2 x Single Pair Ethernet Cable - Link II - Oyaide Neo D+ Class S USB Cable - RME ADI 2 DAC - Silver Litz Headphone Cable - Denon D9200

     

    I haven't done an upgrade with an LPS yet and I am using the stock power supply. But even with this, the Link II is a little gem.

     

    Experience and opinion

    • It easily outperforms the Squeezebox Touch (with LPS) and Intona.
    • Intona USB Isolator doesn't bring any advantages with the Link. So the Link II provides a very clean USB signal. 
    • The RoPieee XL version is running without problems and integrates well with Squeezelite. Couldn't test the Roon capability yet.
    • The LAN interface seams to be very well. So its very hard to hear sound differences of different LAN cable.
    • WIFI isn't worth a try. Much worse than LAN.
    • Fits perfect with RME ADI 2 DAC
    • Very quality cabinet with audiophile grace.
    • Best Sound I heard so far from an USB source - very detailed, black background, low noise, much room. Some report, that the sound sig is a bit to bright, but in my chain its perfect.

     

    Summary

    If you are looking for a high quality USB streamer as a Roon endpoint or also LSM Endpoint, then give the Link II a chance. It runs rock solid for me and offers a sound resolution that I did not know from USB sources before. It's also a very nice device that doesn't look like a Rasperry Pi box, but rather a real audio device.
    Although the Link II is not the cheapest player, it is worth every penny.

    Link to review
    John Hughes

       4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

    This is a great streamer.  It is highly customized hardware, not just a Pi 4 board and addons. If focused on providing a high quality clock, proper power filtration, and reducing jitter.  It runs on a custom version of RopieeeXL which updates itself.  There is very little maintenance as there is with a lot of other boxes.  I got the gorgeous textured aluminum finish.  

     

    I also purchased later the similarly gorgeous Linear Power Supply.  

     

    I am using it primarily as a Roon endpoint, where it works flawlessly.  I have also tried the HQP Endpoint functionality which works fine. 

     

    I have tried three Pi based network streamers. 

     

    • The first was a stock Pi 4 box.  This was surprisingly good. 
    • Then I tried the Allo USBRidge with Shanti Power supply.  This was a nice step up from the Pi 4, with better dynamics,  a wider and deeper soundstage, less noise better at frequency extremes. 
    • Then the Stack II.  It was a significant improvement.  Much lower noise floor, less grain and grit in the midrange and highs, more treble extension with air and delicacy, bass was more defined, soundstage became much deeper.  
    • Then the Stack II with the LPS.  Wow, I was surprised.  It was more of an improvement than with the Stack II.  much lower noise floor again, inky black backgrounds, lowest octave of the bass got more powerful, highs became more refined and transparent. 

     

    Overall, this is a beautiful and sophisticated product that really does streaming right!

    Link to review
    firedog

       9 of 9 members found this review helpful 9 / 9 members

    Hi-

    Just got one of these. It replaced a RPI4 running diet-pi.

    For perspective, other streamers I've had in my system:

    • SB Touch
    • SOtM SMS-100
    • Highly modded SB Touch (connected to outboard clocks and PS)-a $2k setup.
    • microRendu
    • Fanless NUC
    • Bricasti M5
    • Standard RPi 3B+
    • Standard RPi 4

    Various PS for the above from the $10 wall wart  to the $1000 audiophile PS.

     

    Why the Link II? Mostly for the form factor. I didn't like the Pi  for practical reasons-too small (didn't stay in one place, cables outweighed it), didn't look good on the shelf with the rest of my setup, in spite of an aluminum case upgrade. Didn't have an on-off button. Yes, not a biggie, but everyone has their UI preferences. In my setup I couldn't "hide" the cables attached to it because of the port placements,  so I also didn't like that part of the look. The Link II is about twice the size of the Pi and because of the milled case is very heavy for it's size - and it looks and is setup like a high end audio component.

     

    I also like the idea of having access to the "USB detox" input - as it's basic design has been shown by outside measurements to actually reduce jitter and increase S/N for several connected DACs vs direct PC sources - unlike other devices of it's type. But I  WASN'T unhappy with the sound of the Pi, BTW. That wasn't the reason for the upgrade.

     

    So what do I think? I'm happy. Works as advertised. Booted up the first time and was immediately recognized by Roon-as it should be, as it is running a Stack Audio branded/proprietary version of the Ropieee XL OS (OS that turns a Pi into a Roon endpoint). When I activated the Squeezelite player also included, it was immediately recognized by LMS and also worked with no issue. In the future I can use it as an HQP NAA if I choose.

     

    "But, how does it sound?", you ask.

    Answer: Sounds fine.  Seems very transparent. Warm recordings sound warm. Harsh ones sound harsh. I can hear lots of detail. I'm listening at the moment to Bob Dylan in an acoustic setup and he sounds "in the room".

     

    "Does it sound better than the Pi? How does it compare to other streamers"?

    Answer: I don't know. Haven't done any big comparison because that doesn't interest me. IME, even with my very resolving setup I don't hear big differences between a standard Raspberry Pi and a $2500 streamer with all the audiophile bells and whistles. There might be some, but they aren't of the type that you really notice in normal listening. No "veils lifted", etc. I'm not saying there are no differences I'd hear in critical comparative listening, but since I don't listen that way 99% of the time, I don't worry about those types of differences. This thing sounds totally "audiophile" and enjoyable on it's own, and that's what I care about.

     

    One small negative: it has a  blue LED to indicate that it is operating over the network. It blinks on and off constantly. Very annoying, IMO. Will ask Stack Audio if an option can be added to stop the blinking of the LED.

     

    Bottom line: highly recommend for it's form factor, competitive SQ,  and SW versatility. A nice audiophile device that keeps the cost of audiophilia in the three figure range.

     

    Link to review




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