Denon HEOS Link HS2 Streamer Review

[BaasTurbo]

Alternatively, look at the RHEOS extension which will allow high resolution audio to be played, but requires the extension to be installed on a separate device (e.g. raspberry pi).

I looked into the RHEOS extension but gave up on it due to lack of time and understanding on the first go round. Installing the extension on a Rpi bridge then activating it in the UI makes sense, I was trying to figure out how to install it on my server (Nuc running ROCK).

 

[factoryguy]

I looked into the RHEOS extension but gave up on it due to lack of time and understanding on the first go round. Installing the extension on a Rpi bridge then activating it in the UI makes sense, I was trying to figure out how to install it on my server (Nuc running ROCK).

NUC is what I use too, but you need to install Linux (instead of ROCK, I used Ubuntu), install the Roon server Linux version, add Docker, and then install RHEOS on the docker container (I also added portainer as a container manager to make it easy to manage RHEOS and other container apps). I was a little overwhelmed at first, but invested a little to time to understand it all and it works well. The developer is very helpful too.

 

[BaasTurbo]

This information is gold. Thanks!

 

[Jimster480]

NUC is what I use too, but you need to install Linux (instead of ROCK, I used Ubuntu), install the Roon server Linux version, add Docker, and then install RHEOS on a docker container (I also added portainer as a container manager to make it easy to manager RHEOS and other container apps). I was a little overwhelmed at first, but invested a little to time to understand it all and it works well. The developer is very helpful too.

So you are using a mini PC to run the interface?

 

[factoryguy]

So you are using a mini PC to run the interface?

If I understand the question, I typically use a tool like Putty to remotely access the NUC via SSH in a headless server setup. You can also connect a monitor via HDMI and USB keyboard/mouse too. I have this NUC on a small rack in my basement with a bunch of other equipment and rarely need to touch it after it is setup.

Here is the NUC that I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XKZQM9S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

 

[Jimster480]

If I understand the question, I typically use a tool like Putty to remotely access the NUC via SSH in a headless server setup. You can also connect a monitor via HDMI and USB keyboard/mouse too. I have this NUC on a small rack in my basement with a bunch of other equipment and rarely need to touch it after it is setup.

Here is the NUC that I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XKZQM9S/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8

I'm really well versed on Mini PC's but this would be insanely overkill for a music server or something.
I like the idea of the software, it was just a bit confusing because Nuc is just a term that Intel used for Mini PC's so I wasn't sure if they were using a Mini PC or if it was some other brand of product.
I might setup the same thing as I have a bunch of Mini PC's around. Any cheap spec box will handle a music server & passthrough just fine. There are lots of systems for $99 or less today and literally ANYTHING will run a music server as long as the hardware is from the past 10 years.

 

[factoryguy]

I'm really well versed on Mini PC's but this would be insanely overkill for a music server or something.
I like the idea of the software, it was just a bit confusing because Nuc is just a term that Intel used for Mini PC's so I wasn't sure if they were using a Mini PC or if it was some other brand of product.
I might setup the same thing as I have a bunch of Mini PC's around. Any cheap spec box will handle a music server & passthrough just fine. There are lots of systems for $99 or less today and literally ANYTHING will run a music server as long as the hardware is from the past 10 years.

While you are certainly correct in CPU horsepower terms, Roon specifically supports the Intel NUC (and not the generic alternatives). I chose to go with a slightly older NUC that was on the approved list and reasonably priced ($400 with memory and storage). The added benefit of having a docker environment where I could potentially add other apps made sense for me. YMMV. This was an i7, so dropping down to an i3 puts into a $200+ range. It is an interesting issue and it is easy to experiment with cheaper units if you have the skills and are looking to save a few bucks...

 

[Jimster480]

While you are certainly correct in CPU horsepower terms, Roon specifically supports the Intel NUC (and not the generic alternatives). I chose to go with a slightly older NUC that was on the approved list and reasonably priced ($400 with memory and storage). The added benefit of having a docker environment where I could potentially add other apps made sense for me. YMMV. This was an i7, so dropping down to an i3 puts into a $200+ range. It is an interesting issue and it is easy to experiment with cheaper units if you have the skills and are looking to save a few bucks...

Definitely, I will experiment with some cheaper units. The Intel NUC has no special components of any kind, so there's no reason why the software would not work on other alternative units. And doubly so if you are using a Docker environment, because especially if you have Docker on Linux or Windows desktop, Because then it would be using virtualization anyways, where it really wouldn't matter what you are or aren't using.

 

[Bhojo]

I was really excited about the wiim pro but it never stayed connected to the wifi network. I tried several units with all the same results. Looking through the forums it has been a constant issue with wiim. Most of the time trying a full reinstallation did nothing. Really disappointed because it seems like a great product.

I am getting the heos link to try the coaxial out which should bypass the internal dac and use my denon 2200w dac. Also should provide 24/44 through amazon music unlimited for uhd. Fingers crossed.

Also hoping the preamp gives me more headroom too!

 

[Jimster480]

I was really excited about the wiim pro but it never stayed connected to the wifi network. I tried several units with all the same results. Looking through the forums it has been a constant issue with wiim. Most of the time trying a full reinstallation did nothing. Really disappointed because it seems like a great product.

I am getting the heos link to try the coaxial out which should bypass the internal dac and use my denon 2200w dac. Also should provide 24/44 through amazon music unlimited for uhd. Fingers crossed.

Also hoping the preamp gives me more headroom too!

Definitely great for that. Can confirm my Heos units basically don't drop wifi ever. You can also hard wire them with ethernet.

 

[Chazz6]

I bought it used at a decent price.
It sits on a shelf, looks okay and is a solid box.
I use it only to receive a stream on the home wi-fi network, instead feeding the stream to a good DAC.
I use BubbleUPnP instead of the HEOS app.

In this situation, no complaints.

 

[mavisiyah]

do I need to connect with optical out or rca out for better sound ?

 

[Chazz6]

do I need to connect with optical out or rca out for better sound ?

Optical out is still digital and needs to go into a DAC, either standalone or in a preamp/integrated amp. The RCA out signal is analog, processed by the DAC in the Denon HEOS. So compare your DAC options.

 

[Jimster480]

do I need to connect with optical out or rca out for better sound ?

you can connect another DAC via Optical for better performance. I personally use it as is since I listen to it to go to sleep and as background music. The quality is more than fine with a normal set of speakers or a soundbar.

 

[siddious33]

Bringing this thread back from the dead hoping you guys can help me out.

I have a Marantz SR6011 as my home theater AVR. I run an Apple TV 4k through it, along with multiple gaming systems, and most importantly a really nice turntable through the phono stage. This particular AVR is one year too old to have HEOS included in the amp itself. I would love to be able to "add" HEOS (or some solution) to easily stream multi-room audio throughout our house, namely the kitchen, dining room and screened porch. Would adding the HS2 Link allow me to easily "add" HEOS and go from there?

It seems pretty straightforward to add this box as feeding into my AVR as a streaming box, but what I really want to be able to do is leave everything setup as is, and then feed whatever I'm playing on the SR6011 into this box and then stream that signal to a Denon Home speaker or HS2 amp with speakers in another room. Is that possible? Based on the connectivity on this box, I think it should be, but I cannot seem to find a solid answer on it.

I don't mind it not being a top-end streamer. I need it to be simple so my wife and her friends can stream whatever they want at a dinner party. I can stream what we're playing on vinyl into different rooms, or maybe even the audio from the TV in our living room throughout the house. Simple trumps quality for this setup. What are my options?

 

[Chazz6]

I need it to be simple so my wife and her friends can stream whatever they want at a dinner party. I can stream what we're playing on vinyl into different rooms, or maybe even the audio from the TV in our living room throughout the house. Simple trumps quality for this setup.

Don't know your Marantz SR6011, but could you feed whatever its playing to your home wifi network? For example, from its network jack to router with Ethernet cable (that is, can its network jack be an output)?

I infer you have an Apple computer. If you have a Windows PC, you might examine whether some Marantz output, for example HDMI, could go into the PC, from there to your home network.

You or your wife would control with an app on an Apple iOS device or an Android phone or tablet. There are various apps for that, for example, BubbleUPnP on Android.

 

[siddious33]

Don't know your Marantz SR6011, but could you feed whatever its playing to your home wifi network? For example, from its network jack to router with Ethernet cable (that is, can its network jack be an output)?

I infer you have an Apple computer. If you have a Windows PC, you might examine whether some Marantz output, for example HDMI, could go into the PC, from there to your home network.

You or your wife would control with an app on an Apple iOS device or an Android phone or tablet. There are various apps for that, for example, BubbleUPnP on Android.

I would love to say I know the answers to these questions, but I do not... This has already crossed over into "too complicated" territory for what I'm looking to do. lol.

 

[AdamG]

I would love to say I know the answers to these questions, but I do not... This has already crossed over into "too complicated" territory for what I'm looking to do. lol.

You said you have an Apple TV there are several music apps you can play on the Apple TV and stream to your AVR. Wood streaming from one of these apps like title or Apple Music work for you you may not even need HEOS.

Another option to consider is purchasing a few Bluetooth speakers that are of mid to fair quality and place them in the rooms you want them and then your family and friends can stream right to the Bluetooth speakers from their phones, simple solution standalone.

Just as examples:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[siddious33]

You said you have an Apple TV there are several music apps you can play on the Apple TV and stream to your AVR. Wood streaming from one of these apps like title or Apple Music work for you you may not even need HEOS.

Another option to consider is purchasing a few Bluetooth speakers that are of mid to fair quality and place them in the rooms you want them and then your family and friends can stream right to the Bluetooth speakers from their phones, simple solution standalone.

Just as examples:

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Yes, this would be a potentially viable solution for simplicity, but I have complicated it mainly with vinyl. My AVR is in our living room, which is downstairs in a split-level house. Our dining room is one floor up and on the other side of the house, along with our screened porch, which is the main entertaining area for parties/game nights. I want to be able to play a record in our living room and have that audio playing in the dining room, or different rooms throughout the house. Eventually, I'd love to feed it to some outdoor speakers in our backyard too.

The problem is I have a Marantz receiver, but that receiver doesn't have HEOS built-in. So I would have to find some way to stream FROM that AVR to other zones. Does that make sense or am I thinking of this the wrong way?

I was hoping someone here had experience with this Denon HEOS HS2 Link and could tell me if it would easily solve my problem (regardless of whether or not HEOS is the best solution or not) Mainly want to know because I can snag one of these units used for about 150 bucks instead of having to sink a ton of money into another route.

 

[Dennis_FL]

Bringing this thread back from the dead hoping you guys can help me out.

I have a Marantz SR6011 as my home theater AVR. I run an Apple TV 4k through it, along with multiple gaming systems, and most importantly a really nice turntable through the phono stage. This particular AVR is one year too old to have HEOS included in the amp itself. I would love to be able to "add" HEOS (or some solution) to easily stream multi-room audio throughout our house, namely the kitchen, dining room and screened porch. Would adding the HS2 Link allow me to easily "add" HEOS and go from there?

It seems pretty straightforward to add this box as feeding into my AVR as a streaming box, but what I really want to be able to do is leave everything setup as is, and then feed whatever I'm playing on the SR6011 into this box and then stream that signal to a Denon Home speaker or HS2 amp with speakers in another room. Is that possible? Based on the connectivity on this box, I think it should be, but I cannot seem to find a solid answer on it.

I don't mind it not being a top-end streamer. I need it to be simple so my wife and her friends can stream whatever they want at a dinner party. I can stream what we're playing on vinyl into different rooms, or maybe even the audio from the TV in our living room throughout the house. Simple trumps quality for this setup. What are my options?

If you want to save some $$$ look at WiiM streamers. Also Sonos.