This is the Echo I’ve been waiting for.
Throughout my house, I have Amazon Echo Dots connected to stereo systems. In my office, I have a Dot connected to an Onkyo receiver and amp. In my basement, I have one hooked up to a small bookshelf system. Outside on the deck, a Dot serves audio to a small amp that powers outside speakers. There’s more, but the point is made. The Dot is a great device to add voice services to existing speakers. But with its built-in speaker, I’m paying for features I’m not using.
That’s why Amazon made the Echo Input.
The premise is simple: The Input is a Dot without a speaker. It has a mic, two buttons and, most importantly, a 3.5mm output. This output lets the Input serve media to amps and powered speakers — just like I’m doing with a Dot.
Because the Input doesn’t have a speaker, it’s much smaller. It’s only half an inch thick. It’s a tiny thing, and I found it does the job as well as a Dot.
Plug it in, set it up and the Input adds voice services to speaker systems. From Bluetooth speakers to bookshelf speakers, it’s a great way to bring the convenience of Alexa to speakers.
The device is basic. To be clear, this is not a Hi-Fi device. To me, that’s okay on most speaker systems, as I’m just streaming Spotify and NPR. Hopefully Amazon makes good on producing the Input’s Hi-Fi cousin, the $199 Echo Link. This device was announced a few months back and performs a similar task as the Input, but features TOSLINK and coaxial digital audio outputs for connections to a proper DAC (though it does not have a mic). The $299 Echo Link Amp does the same, but features a built-in amplifier to directly power a set of speakers. The Input is great for smaller speakers, but the Echo Link should provide a higher-fidelity experience — and now that Tidal is available on the Echo, there’s a proper source, too.
The Echo Link is said to be released on December 13.
For $35, the Echo Input does its job well. However, during the holidays, the Echo Dot is only $29.99 or less and features the same 3.5mm output. Unless size is a concern, I would recommend buying the Dot while it’s on sale, just in case you need the speaker at a later time.
