Lenco PlayConnect is a small device that can turn your existing stereo system into a wireless Hi-Fi. The PlayConnect device simply attaches to your stereo system’s amplifier or receiver using an optical connection or analogue RCA cables, and it acts as the interface between the Hi-Fi and all of the music that you have stored on your computers, tablets, phones, and network storage devices.
The box is a small one that can be placed discretely among your existing Hi-Fi gear, and it can be connected to your home network either through Wi-Fi or through Ethernet. Use Ethernet if your router sits close to your stereo system. Otherwise, for Wi-Fi, you should place the PlayConnect in an area that is as high and as clear as possible to facilitate a good signal.
Both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11n bands are supported by the PlayConnect, and WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) can be used to connect without you having to enter passwords or fiddle in a configuration Web page, as long as your router supports it. It’s also a DLNA device. Furthermore, it supports Wi-Fi Direct, which means you can bypass your router and just make a point-to-point connection to the PlayConnect with either your smartphone or tablet.
Having the PlayConnect residing on your home network is the way to go though, and the device will be able to play music from practically any other device that’s connected to your network and which has supported files on it. It will play MP3s, FLAC, AAC, WAV, PCM, and ALAC, and it has support for 24-bit/192kHz high-resolution files as well. For high-resolution playback, you will want to use either Ethernet or the 5GHz band for bandwidth purposes.
You can use the Lenco app on your smartphone or tablet as the interface through which to access your music. Your music can be stored locally on your mobile devices or on computers or network attached storage devices, or it can be streamed from an online service, such as Spotify.
The the Lenco app, the Lenco PlayConnect forms part of Lenco's multiroom Hi-Fi system, which also includes the PlayLink 4 and PlayLink 6 wireless speakers. The PlayConnect is the audio link that can essentially turn your existing stereo system's speakers into wireless speakers that can be used as part of that multiroom system.
The Lenco PlayConnect will be available in December from Amber Technology at a price of $249.
