Denon HEOS Link HS2 Streamer Review

[factoryguy]

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?

The Marantz M1 and Denon Home Amp are two very similar options if you want to stay in the Marantz/HEOS universe. You would need to add speakers though, if you want to keep it simple. The Marantz has great reviews, but is priced a bit higher. Amazon usually has both gently used at nice discounts too. I agree that some other options are better priced.

The benefit of HEOS now is that you get support for Spotify connect, Tidal connect, Roon ready, bluetooth, etc. make them very easy to use and provide high quality streaming. I am a Roon user so the recent Roon Ready support has made me very happy. The cool thing is that your wife or her friends can easily use Spotify while you can step up to higher quality with Tidal connect or Roon.

Denon: https://www.amazon.com/Denon-Amplif...&sprefix=denon+home+amp,electronics,86&sr=1-3

 

[siddious33]

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

I am all for this solution if it will do what I need it to do, but I don't understand streamers I suppose. The reason I was interested in HEOS was to be able to stream any audio going through my AVR to multiple zones/rooms.

Here is my setup in more detail:

The center of my current setup is a Marantz SR6011. Going into that AVR is:
Turntable into the phono stage
Nintendo Switch into an HDMI in
Apple TV 4K into an HDMI

Coming OUT from that AVR is the pass-through of the Apple TV4k to my OLED TV. Then that feeds ARC back to the receiver for my Xbox and my PS5.

Where would a streamer go in that setup so that I could:
1. Play a record on the turntable and have it stream somewhere else in the house.
2. Play Apple Music from the Apple TV 4K and have it stream somewhere else in the house?

I want to be able to stream Apple Music, Pandora, or any of my downloaded music files to any zone in the house AND I want to be able to play a record on the turntable and do the same thing. Is that even possible without the receiver having something like HEOS built into it is my question?

I am not being obtuse, I promise. I just don't "get it" and this thread was at least talking about a piece of gear that I think might solve the problem. If a streamer is a better, and cheaper, solution please point me in the right direction!

 

[siddious33]

The Marantz M1 and Denon Home Amp are two very similar options if you want to stay in the Marantz/HEOS universe. You would need to add speakers though, if you want to keep it simple. The Marantz has great reviews, but is priced a bit higher. Amazon usually has both gently used at nice discounts too. I agree that some other options are better priced.

The benefit of HEOS now is that you get support for Spotify connect, Tidal connect, Roon ready, bluetooth, etc. make them very easy to use and provide high quality streaming. I am a Roon user so the recent Roon Ready support has made me very happy. The cool thing is that your wife or her friends can easily use Spotify while you can step up to higher quality with Tidal connect or Roon.

Denon: https://www.amazon.com/Denon-Amplifier-High-Res-Streaming-Bluetooth/dp/B0D6XCGVCZ?crid=NJ8GI1PTDL4G&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PhLSxTVDhAoWi-mcQ6A0FobMaBzEUYevZkiijNW-K4cUevVPo_XYvyEnkbaQgz2DQe0HERF13yUBdRK_4LC0r45UAswR6-ZsLmrb-OFmRdxPnKVzqgQLSrateXSxTA_T3xBdILukuUUjLHDYjMNauvCT1zrHp393GBZ8bEyr7fLL5DSh6zqRxaU4Wzv54eIPxJNDLT1lv8tfKFNLNkBwpZsh6hlnL19CF71vXwif41AECIvTHmwgLyzEzhzx32n8PV4F4xJKBuotOAO0-9qOt5_AmCOr0i89Y6msh9rwXLU.78lj2HsO1Szlt6XouburNW_Jtbe34M3Hs0fhoWMB1Z0&dib_tag=se&keywords=denon+home+amp&qid=1734641818&s=electronics&sprefix=denon+home+amp,electronics,86&sr=1-3

Thank you for this!

My current Marantz receiver does NOT have HEOS built in though. It is a Marantz SR6011. That model year, you had to go up to the 7011 to get HEOS before it was baked into all the Marantz/Denon receivers the following model year.

Would I be able to use something like the HS2 Link in this thread to allow my receiver that doesn't have HEOS to add that functionality and be able to output any of it's feeds (like the phono stage) to one of these amps?

 

[factoryguy]

I am all for this solution if it will do what I need it to do, but I don't understand streamers I suppose. The reason I was interested in HEOS was to be able to stream any audio going through my AVR to multiple zones/rooms.

Here is my setup in more detail:

The center of my current setup is a Marantz SR6011. Going into that AVR is:
Turntable into the phono stage
Nintendo Switch into an HDMI in
Apple TV 4K into an HDMI

Coming OUT from that AVR is the pass-through of the Apple TV4k to my OLED TV. Then that feeds ARC back to the receiver for my Xbox and my PS5.

Where would a streamer go in that setup so that I could:
1. Play a record on the turntable and have it stream somewhere else in the house.
2. Play Apple Music from the Apple TV 4K and have it stream somewhere else in the house?

I want to be able to stream Apple Music, Pandora, or any of my downloaded music files to any zone in the house AND I want to be able to play a record on the turntable and do the same thing. Is that even possible without the receiver having something like HEOS built into it is my question?

I am not being obtuse, I promise. I just don't "get it" and this thread was at least talking about a piece of gear that I think might solve the problem. If a streamer is a better, and cheaper, solution please point me in the right direction!

Unfortunately, if you want this all to remain a single system with one set of speakers, you will not be able to make the setup easy to use. The idea of getting a digital music input device for your receiver seems simple enough but I don't think you will ever be happy. I'd recommend either a separate system for music (e.g. Marantz M1 with speakers, Sonos, Denon Home 250) and leave your AVR setup alone, or replace the receiver with something newer that does what you want and keeps it all integrated into one.

 

[siddious33]

Unfortunately, if you want this all to remain a single system with one set of speakers, you will not be able to make the setup easy to use. The idea of getting a digital music input device for your receiver seems simple enough but I don't think you will ever be happy. I'd recommend either a separate system for music (e.g. Marantz M1 with speakers, Sonos, Denon Home 250) and leave your AVR setup alone, or replace the receiver with something newer that does what you want and keeps it all integrated into one.

I appreciate you thinking through it at least. I had been looking at just upgrading the whole AVR to a newer model that includes HEOS already, but was just wondering if I could get away with not doing it. Sounds like probably not!

 

[Romario]

You want the Heos Link to be the receiver.

The Link hs2 has optical in. If the marantz has optical out it's possible. Or with the line in you can connect the pre out of the Marantz. However, does this require a setting change on the Marantz each time of use ( that complicates things) or is this function " allways on" . that I don't know.

 

[siddious33]

You want the Heos Link to be the receiver. View attachment 415122
The Link hs2 has optical in. If the marantz has optical out it's possible. Or with the line in you can connect the pre out of the Marantz. However, does this require a setting change on the Marantz each time of use ( that complicates things) or is this function " allways on" . that I don't know.

Looked this up and I "think" The pre-outs on the SR-6011 are always on when it's powered on, so this might work. Thank you!

 

[Ajax]

Hey Siddeous,

If your aim is to have music in one location available in another, then you could consider a speaker selector box with built in protection for the amp.

https://www.amazon.com.au/AV-Link-Speaker-Selector-Channel/dp/B003GSVHD2/ref=sr_1_8?adgrpid=146722810767&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zWM_O-4Af7heTgyAG53E7DQb0ubAGfAZILOZO64QTv2ide2FXLjWSgHnRXxjiZ14DT11Rse7ozwlRxz2XNCbMWcgEzzAHkMVY038aPH4vhXBToPETUNSEHXHM9am_XosHllQPITIPoDnNPlf9zc2GpAp5OdVDjPdvKVw5wYxi7wLpKjl70BUUOaBOxVMC11GnjC2FXk24DWIxjyVm94W3ylDptGxnBmADnfOHj8f23Gbkvz4AK_WHB44gsQUh7Fa9g7wGa7Ur5nsdYK-1-332BhwsKHTnoJkyJdecVwlu_EFNHOG6ThQ-ZiR_tGPp_1PxqFoUqdtdEMQfq9JaOYyvBwyIALjepG-PwehGXHlCaFclN8lYzyRwIMEdC0sFsfzWogtx3OVQFCFFC_fX4lvi3T8VKGcFposAWZ_P2MjnvnBERu5G_k_oS6xvpKxc2AM.34Ok0E0ve4LpdS6pyw2qfNj-6PTzDYdqmhLacIouaXo&dib_tag=se&hvadid=632263620956&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9071837&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15575615570365881083&hvtargid=kwd-308454685325&hydadcr=14292_353104&keywords=speaker%2Bselector&qid=1734669341&sr=8-8&th=1

I use this system as follows:

Sonos Connect (old streamer that allows Tidal and Spotify Connect) - Benchmark DAC - Buckeye Hypex AMP - 4 Way Speaker Selector

Downside with this system is that you cannot play different music in each room, i.e. you only have one source, however, if that is not an issue then it works perfectly. It does not matter what amp you use.

I have my system in a cupboard and control it via the Sonos App, but you could use Wiim or any other streamer that has a good App. I have 3 pairs of speakers - my rear patio, dining room and front deck.

If you are concerned with loss of quality (while listening to one set of speakers) you can disengage the protection by pressing a switch to "pass through" the selector, although all I hear is a slight drop in volume when playing more than one speaker with protection on.

I hope this helps.

 

[siddious33]

Hey Siddeous,

If your aim is to have music in one location available in another, then you could consider a speaker selector box with built in protection for the amp.

https://www.amazon.com.au/AV-Link-Speaker-Selector-Channel/dp/B003GSVHD2/ref=sr_1_8?adgrpid=146722810767&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zWM_O-4Af7heTgyAG53E7DQb0ubAGfAZILOZO64QTv2ide2FXLjWSgHnRXxjiZ14DT11Rse7ozwlRxz2XNCbMWcgEzzAHkMVY038aPH4vhXBToPETUNSEHXHM9am_XosHllQPITIPoDnNPlf9zc2GpAp5OdVDjPdvKVw5wYxi7wLpKjl70BUUOaBOxVMC11GnjC2FXk24DWIxjyVm94W3ylDptGxnBmADnfOHj8f23Gbkvz4AK_WHB44gsQUh7Fa9g7wGa7Ur5nsdYK-1-332BhwsKHTnoJkyJdecVwlu_EFNHOG6ThQ-ZiR_tGPp_1PxqFoUqdtdEMQfq9JaOYyvBwyIALjepG-PwehGXHlCaFclN8lYzyRwIMEdC0sFsfzWogtx3OVQFCFFC_fX4lvi3T8VKGcFposAWZ_P2MjnvnBERu5G_k_oS6xvpKxc2AM.34Ok0E0ve4LpdS6pyw2qfNj-6PTzDYdqmhLacIouaXo&dib_tag=se&hvadid=632263620956&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9071837&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15575615570365881083&hvtargid=kwd-308454685325&hydadcr=14292_353104&keywords=speaker%2Bselector&qid=1734669341&sr=8-8&th=1

I use this system as follows:

Sonos Connect (old streamer that allows Tidal and Spotify Connect) - Benchmark DAC - Buckeye Hypex AMP - 4 Way Speaker Selector

Downside with this system is that you cannot play different music in each room, i.e. you only have one source, however, if that is not an issue then it works perfectly. It does not matter what amp you use.

I have my system in a cupboard and control it via the Sonos App, but you could use Wiim or any other streamer that has a good App. I have 3 pairs of speakers - my rear patio, dining room and front deck.

If you are concerned with loss of quality (while listening to one set of speakers) you can disengage the protection by pressing a switch to "pass through" the selector, although all I hear is a slight drop in volume when playing more than one speaker with protection on.

I hope this helps.

I honestly would love to have the ability to just run wired speakers into the different areas I want to cover. Unfortunately I need a wireless solution as I just don't have anyway to get wire everywhere I need it. (1965 split-level house with the living room over a concrete slab and the other areas I need to reach on different floors, and on the other side of the house.)

 

[Ajax]

I honestly would love to have the ability to just run wired speakers into the different areas I want to cover. Unfortunately I need a wireless solution as I just don't have anyway to get wire everywhere I need it. (1965 split-level house with the living room over a concrete slab and the other areas I need to reach on different floors, and on the other side of the house.)

OK, then I would go with the Wiim system.

If it was me I would most likley install a Wiim streamer at the AVR and a Wiim Amp Pro at the other locations. Note the Wiim has digital EQ for room correction, sub out with appropriate filters and an analogue input for your turntable (but will need a phono amp). Amir was very complementary in his review, which went to 100 pages of comments.

WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Amp Pro networked streaming stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $379. The package is minimalistic in nature and matches the "non-pro" version of the amplifier. The volume indicator is that set of LEDs...

www.audiosciencereview.com

There have been good reports about the Wiim App.

 

[Dennis_FL]

OK, then I would go with the Wiim system.

If it was me I would most likley install a Wiim streamer at the AVR and a Wiim Amp Pro at the other locations. Note the Wiim has digital EQ for room correction, sub out with appropriate filters and an analogue input for your turntable (but will need a phono amp). Amir was very complementary in his review, which went to 100 pages of comments.

WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the WiiM Amp Pro networked streaming stereo class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company and costs US $379. The package is minimalistic in nature and matches the "non-pro" version of the amplifier. The volume indicator is that set of LEDs...

www.audiosciencereview.com

There have been good reports about the Wiim App.

There's also Roon Relay if you have Roon

 

[zeropoint]

If all you want to do is send audio to a HEOS speaker wirelessly, then consider the A2D2 Stream connected to your receiver's Pre-out or Zone-2:

A2D2 Stream

The clever device that allows you to listen to your record, CD and tape collection on any smart WiFi-enabled speaker

a2d2.net

 

[Dennis_FL]

If all you want to do is send audio to a HEOS speaker wirelessly, then consider the A2D2 Stream connected to your receiver's Pre-out or Zone-2:

A2D2 Stream

The clever device that allows you to listen to your record, CD and tape collection on any smart WiFi-enabled speaker

a2d2.net

The specs have compatibility with Apple AirPlay, Chromecast and Sonos for multiroom listening. How do you stream to a HEOS?

 

[zeropoint]

The specs have compatibility with Apple AirPlay, Chromecast and Sonos for multiroom listening. How do you stream to a HEOS?

Under support FAQs:

Smart Speakers 5

• SONOS
• AirPlay
• Chromecast
• Denon/Marantz HEOS
• Amazon Alexa