ARYLIC S50 PRO / S10 streaming preamps
S50 Pro:
+ Affordable; easy to set up; supports major music streaming services; decent construction with aluminium chassis.
– No optical digital input; audio outputs are variable only, with no line level option; no LCD readout to display volume or function.
Sound: 7/10
Value: 8/10S10:
+ Very accessible retail price, ideal for a budget set-up; fuss-free operation; supports major music streaming services.
– Very limited connection options; no LCD to display volume; mediocre sound.
Sound: 6/10
Value: 9/10
DIGITAL streaming services really came to the fore when people found themselves locked down at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Whether they were working from home or otherwise, digital television and music content was called upon to fill the void, so to speak.
Consuming television content is straightforward. Music content, on the other hand, is not quite so as most will have the service’s streaming app on smart devices only. Headphones use aside, a Bluetooth connection is always possible, presuming the audio set-up has such connectivity. But what if the main music rig is not so digitally-enabled? That’s where devices like China-based Arylic’s S50 Pro and S10 wireless streaming preamps come to the fore.
Both these devices are preamps only and will not power a pair of passive speakers. They need active speakers or can be connected directly to a power amp. A spare input on the preamp/integrated works too, but this will not be ideal as both units’ outputs are variable and there’s no option for a fixed line level.

The S50 Pro is only 3.7 x 11.3 x 12cm (h/w/d) and weighs a mere 400g, while the S10 is 2.2 x 11.6 x 6.4cm (200g) – easy enough to find space to place them on, even on cramped racks. Small in stature they may be, but they’re definitely big on features. Both support the major music streaming services – Spotify, Tidal, Qobuzz, Deezer and others, including Internet radio.
For file compatibility, they do FLAC, MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE and WAV files, up to a high 24-bit/192kHz resolution! On top of that, they also support Apple AirPlay, DLNA, UPnP, Spotify Connect and Qplay. Both are also WiFi-enabled and there’s also a free Apple and Android control app (called 4Stream) available. Also available are LAN and USB inputs (but for pen drives only, not HDDs) as well as Bluetooth connectivity (aptX HD on the S50 Pro).
Feature sets for both are similar and it’s the connection options which differ. The S10 only features 3.5mm minijacks for both the input and output (one each) while the S50 Pro (the more “audiophile” of the two designs) is better endowed with proper RCA jacks and two analogue inputs on top of an optical digital output.

SETTING UP
After installing the apps on the relevant smart device and hooking up the Arylics to the audio component(s) of choice, the only small hurdle to cross is connecting them to the home network. There are a few easy ways to do this, and all are explained in the manual.
The absence of RCA connections on the S10 is understandable, as it’s more likely to be paired with smaller devices or computer speakers which use 3.5mm minijacks.
The RCAs on the S50 Pro, however, speak of its audiophile aspirations, added to the fact that it features an ESS Sabre DAC and AKM ADC chips within.

What really bugged me, though, was the absence of an LCD display to show the volume level. You can only see it on the app, but thankfully it “remembers” the last volume used for each input, so you don’t get any sudden surprises when switching. The S10 features a bank of four coloured LCDs to indicate the function, but on the S50 Pro, there’s a single dot matrix cluster that changes colour to show the input.
LISTENING
Physical differences aside, both devices are identical to work with. There’s a physical remote control provided, but save for easy volume adjustment, everything else is accessed through the 4Stream app. The app’s design and interface are not the slickest to use, but what matters most is that it’s perfectly functional. I did get “lost” at the initial stage trying to find all the functions, but some fiddling about with it will bring the familiarity needed to understand the ins and outs of the GUI.
S10
Sound-wise, there’s not much to say about the S10 other than it works exactly as it should. To be frank, it’s hard to see audiophiles getting excited over this except for the fact that it “gives the smarts” to the hi-fi rig.
However, the biggest advantage is that streaming music using a direct connection to the Internet (Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, etc.) sounds vastly superior to a Bluetooth connection from a mobile device – this applies to the S50 Pro as well, of course.

S50 Pro
Compared to the S10, there is a big step up in every performance aspect. But here’s the rub – does it approach standards that are acceptable to serious hi-fi aficionados?
Plugged into my main hi-fi rig, it gives hints of what the system is able to achieve. No, it did not achieve the synergy I’m used to hearing with the regular preamp, but it would be unfair to compare the S50 Pro with something multiple times its price.
There are some aspects of its presentation which are positive, you do get a semblance of a soundstage and imaging, but don’t expect it to be expansive or super-precise.
The midrange can sound a little thin at times and it does not reveal all minute detail nor give extreme insights into the bass and treble. It’s there but just not, well, magical!

Where the S50 Pro worked best for me was when doing stereo duties in the living room’s AV system. Connected directly to a power amp fed via RCA analogue from an Android TV box and WiFi for Internet, it found substantial use via Spotify Connect and enhanced the sound of every TV programme I was watching.
However, I find it odd that it does not have any digital input (neither Toslink nor RCA). That, I find, is the biggest omission as the high-grade ESS Sabre DAC could have come in play when connected to any other digital source – not just from the Internet.
THE LAST WORD
So what’s the final word on these two Arylic devices? Quite simply, there’s nothing available from established hi-fi brands that comes close to the low price these are going for. There are some compromises you have to accept but as is commonly said, you do get what you pay for.
If you’re looking for a cheap way to provide digital connectivity to any “dumb” system, then give the Arylic S50 Pro and S10 (they’re available direct from the website) a punt – your bank balance will thank you for it.
Gear
Sources: Minix Neo U9-H Android TV box / Amplification: Euphonic Research AMP-220; Odyssey Audio Kismet monoblocks / Speakers: Magnepan .7; Ho’s LS3/5A / Cabling: Rega SC42 and Clear Day Double Shotgun speaker cables, an assortment of pure silver interconnects and stock cables
Price: US$199 (S50 Pro); US$69 (S10)
Review unit courtesy of Arylic.
The S50 Pro does have a digital in – the orange RCA. The optical is digital out.
Hi Tal,
Thanks for the comment, but I’m afraid the both the instruction manual and the product page for the Arylic S50 Pro say otherwise. It’s clearly stated that there are no digital inputs, only two digital outputs – a coaxial (RCA, the orange one) and an optical S/PDIF.
You can refer to it here: https://www.arylic.com/collections/wireless-preamplifiers/products/s50pro-wireless-preamplifier
Full disclosure, however – I did not try the RCA connection as a digital input. If it is is indeed one, I will stand corrected. For now, though, I will go with what the manufacturer states.
Hi,
I bought the S10 a few weeks ago and have to say I’ve been delighted with it. I use it mainly for occasional Spotify listening through my stereo, or for Podcasts and the odd flac file for albums I’ve ripped to listen to on the move. All of this comes from a Samsung S10 phone.
I have to say that the performance is very good indeed. The Arylic S10 (confusing having two S10s to refer to here!), acquits itself brilliantly I feel – I have it hooked up to a Tisbury passive preamp and thereafter to a pair of AVI ADM 9RSS active speakers. The sound from the flac rips are as they should, full of the detail as it came off the original source CD. I run a Premium Spotify account with the audio set to the highest quality setting and again am very impressed.
I think the S10 has enough audiophile chops to be taken seriously for users like myself who don’t need (or want) another full size hifi separate for occasional streaming. The fact it’s only £50 or so in the UK is all the more astonishing. Bluetooth sounds pretty strangled, but the wireless streaming is really very hard to fault. Transparent isn’t something you expect at this price but that’s what it is.
I’d disagree with your sound quality rating – take Bluetooth out the equation and it’s batting an easy 8 and I wouldn’t argue hard against a 9/10 either. Best bargain in hifi this year.
I couldn’t agree more, I have tried the S10 against my others, Topping e30, Khadas tone board & although you could argue that they are more detailed and transparent, which they are, there is something so balanced and forgiving it is without doubt the nicest streamer I have ever used & never feel wanting more while listening.
The biggest compliment I can give it is that I choose to use it more than all the others…….personally I believe this little unit to be the biggest bargain I have ever bought in 40 years, and I have tried many believe me.
Like yourself I would give it a 9/10 without hesitation