Amazon Alexa amplifier, receiver, subwoofer

As far as I can tell, the Link is for those that have a power amp, to use as a voice controlled pre amp, to which one can also cast via Amazon cast. A very niche application, and I am surprised to see an Amazon product for it.

But you could do that with the $50 echo dot (probably even echo input), and it doesn't explain why there are inputs on the Link.
Agreed. And the echo input is the minimum that would need suffice, so why the Link? Time will tell, I suppose.

As far as I can tell, the Link is for those that have a power amp, to use as a voice controlled pre amp, to which one can also cast via Amazon cast. A very niche application, and I am surprised to see an Amazon product for it.

But you could do that with the $50 echo dot (probably even echo input), and it doesn't explain why there are inputs on the Link.
Agreed. And the echo input is the minimum that would need suffice, so why the Link? Time will tell, I suppose.

I have about 1,000 jazz LPs that I quite enjoy spinning on occasion. The Link would work splendidly for an analog input to the system, along with the Echo Input. I imagine it will allow voice control of input selection.

I have about 1,000 jazz LPs that I quite enjoy spinning on occasion. The Link would work splendidly for an analog input to the system, along with the Echo Input. I imagine it will allow voice control of input selection.
What else would it do apart from such voice control? Unless the additional input is needed for the typical single input power amp.

The first quick review I have seen of the Sub holds promise for customers and concern for Sonos. At USD 250 for an Echo pair+ Sub bundle, the price is compelling and if the sound is good as the review suggests, I can see many takers:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/smart-home-reviews/amazon-echo-sub-review/

I have about 1,000 jazz LPs that I quite enjoy spinning on occasion. The Link would work splendidly for an analog input to the system, along with the Echo Input. I imagine it will allow voice control of input selection.
What else would it do apart from such voice control? Unless the additional input is needed for the typical single input power amp.One nice feature is the Ethernet port. This might provide better reliability as you build out your system and start battling Wi-Fi contention issue.

The first quick review I have seen of the Sub holds promise for customers and concern for Sonos. At USD 250 for an Echo pair+ Sub bundle, the price is compelling and if the sound is good as the review suggests, I can see many takers:
https://www.digitaltrends.com/smart-home-reviews/amazon-echo-sub-review/
The question for me is will it work with the Link playing an external source like a turntable? Or does the Sub only sync with streamed sources?

As of now, Sub works only with the Echo of last year, and the one about to be released with the Sub. So it will do only what these Echoes can do. Going forward, we can only speculate.

Another question is the implications for Alexa integration with Sonos. On the one hand Amazon appears to want to expand their Alexa partnership support with new APIs. On the other hand this is more direct competition with Sonos in the Link, Link Amplifier. and Sub. I can't figure out if this means the Sonos Alexa skill will finally come out of beta and provide all the features folks have been asking for? Or will Amazon pull back on supporting a partner who has announced their next big push is Google integration and reduce or disable what is already available?

One nice feature is the Ethernet port. This might provide better reliability as you build out your system and start battling Wi-Fi contention issue.

I'm speculating here, but I'd guess that's added so that professional installers will consider the link devices when setting up a whole house system. If you've 10+ devices sitting in a closet, I think you'd prefer to just hardwire it all rather deal with wifi and whatever interference may occur when having devices close together like that.

Another question is the implications for Alexa integration with Sonos. On the one hand Amazon appears to want to expand their Alexa partnership support with new APIs. On the other hand this is more direct competition with Sonos in the Link, Link Amplifier. and Sub. I can't figure out if this means the Sonos Alexa skill will finally come out of beta and provide all the features folks have been asking for? Or will Amazon pull back on supporting a partner who has announced their next big push is Google integration and reduce or disable what is already available?

Although the media is setting the narrative that Amazon is now trying to compete with Sonos, I don't feel that it is. It does mean Amazon and Sonos are competing more than previously, but I don't think that was the actual intention. The products release feel like they are more of a response to the Homepod and Google Max than anything else. For those customers that want to stick with one of these big 3 and don't want basic sound quality, Amazon now has some options.

If Amazon really were trying to compete with Sonos, you'd think they'd come out with a soundbar. That would really hurt Sonos I think. It seems like a natural fit for Amazon as well, since they have a lot of products and content on the video side. The also didn't come out with anything that would really compete with the play:5.

I feel like Sonos wants to dominate in several different markets, but they don't want create walled gardens as Apple is known to do, and they want to make sure they don't get caught in anti-trust issues. Their strategy of opening up Alexa to partners/competitors, but keeping many of the best features to themselves seems to be working. At the same time, I think a lot of their products are designed more to seed development around more products that use Alexa. They do want Alexa in Sonos, JBL, Bose, etc. They want it to be the defacto front end for everyone. They made a microwave in order to kickstart development of other kitchen gadets to use Alexa for control.

So as far as APIs, I do think we'll see more features coming soon. So docking will be fixed and you won't always have to target. But it wouldn't surprise me if some features always remain Echo only. For example, if the new Link products allow you to select one of the audio inputs by voice, but that feature isn't granted to Sonos products. I don't know, just guessing.

Although the media is setting the narrative that Amazon is now trying to compete with Sonos, I don't feel that it is. It does mean Amazon and Sonos are competing more than previously, but I don't think that was the actual intention.

I may be missing something, but I can't see the Link or Link Amp as anything but direct competition with the Connect and Amp/Connect:Amp. Adding digital inputs just makes it even better at a lower price.