Arylic’s LA150 Brings More Power, AirPlay 2, and a Built-In Phono Stage
Arylic has quietly unveiled its latest streaming amplifier, the LA150, bringing a substantial upgrade over the recently released LA50. Most importantly for Apple users, the new model retains AirPlay 2 support, allowing it to integrate seamlessly into existing AirPlay multi-room audio systems alongside HomePods, Apple TVs, and other compatible speakers.
Alongside AirPlay 2, the LA150 also supports Google Cast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready, making it one of Arylic’s most versatile streaming amplifiers to date. Beyond streaming, however, the LA150 introduces a number of significant hardware upgrades over the LA50, including more than double the amplifier power, a built-in MM/MC phono stage, expanded wired connectivity, Bluetooth 5.4 with high-resolution codec support, and a considerably more capable rear I/O panel.
MORE POWERFUL AMPLIFICATION
Perhaps the biggest upgrade comes in the amplification stage. Whilst the LA50 delivers 50W per channel, the LA150 increases this to 110W RMS per channel, making it far better suited to driving larger floorstanding speakers or more demanding bookshelf speakers. The amplifier is based around Texas Instruments’ well-regarded TPA3255 Class D amplifier chip, which has earned a strong reputation for delivering clean, efficient power in compact hi-fi amplifiers.
Although the published specifications list 110W for both 4Ω and 8Ω speakers, this is somewhat unusual, so we’ll wait for Arylic’s official documentation before confirming exactly how those figures have been measured.
A MUCH BIGGER STEP UP IN CONNECTIVITY
Whilst the LA50 already offered HDMI ARC, USB audio, analogue RCA input, optical input, and a subwoofer output, the LA150 dramatically expands its connectivity.
The new model adds:
- MM/MC phono input for turntables
- Coaxial digital input
- RCA pre-out
- Optical digital output
- USB Host for local music playback
- HDMI ARC with CEC
- Dedicated USB-B DAC input
The addition of a built-in MM/MC phono stage is particularly significant, allowing users to connect a wide range of turntables directly without requiring a separate phono preamp.
BETTER BLUETOOTH SUPPORT
Bluetooth also receives a substantial upgrade. The LA50 uses Bluetooth 5.0 with support for SBC and AAC when receiving audio. The LA150 moves to Bluetooth 5.4, adding support for higher-quality codecs including:
- aptX
- aptX HD
- LDAC
- LC3
It can also transmit audio over Bluetooth using SBC, aptX, and aptX HD, providing greater flexibility for wireless headphones or speakers.
STREAMING FEATURES REMAIN A STRENGTH
Like the LA50, the LA150 continues to support Arylic’s latest streaming platform, including:
- AirPlay 2
- Google Cast
- Spotify Connect
- TIDAL Connect
- Qobuz Connect
- Roon Ready
This means Apple users can integrate the amplifier into AirPlay 2 multi-room audio systems, whilst Android users benefit from Google Cast support.
NETWORKING
Wireless networking includes:
- Dual-band 2.4GHz / 5GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac)
- 10/100 Ethernet
- Bluetooth 5.4
DESIGNED FOR LARGER SYSTEMS
The LA150 is also physically larger than the LA50, measuring 215 × 65 × 245mm compared to the LA50’s compact 148 × 148 × 43mm enclosure. That extra space accommodates the more powerful amplifier section and expanded rear-panel connectivity.
SOME QUESTIONS REMAIN
Whilst the published specifications reveal considerably more than the original FCC filings, there are still a few details we’d like Arylic to clarify. The retailer lists an AK7735 as the DAC, although this is actually an AKM digital signal processor rather than a standalone DAC, suggesting this part of the specification may have been listed incorrectly. Similarly, the published power figures warrant further clarification once Arylic releases its official specification sheet.
The LA50 remains an attractive choice for anyone wanting an affordable streaming amplifier for a desktop or smaller listening room, but the LA150 is clearly aimed at more serious hi-fi systems. With more than twice the amplifier output, a built-in MM/MC phono stage, significantly expanded inputs and outputs, upgraded Bluetooth capabilities, and support for the same comprehensive range of streaming services, it represents a substantial step up rather than simply a more powerful version of the LA50.
Whilst the LA150 doesn’t appear to support Matter, that shouldn’t be a major drawback for Apple users. Thanks to AirPlay 2, it can already be added to the Home app as a speaker, included in automations and scenes, and grouped with HomePods and other AirPlay 2 speakers for whole-home audio. For anyone already invested in Apple’s ecosystem, that will likely be the more important feature.
On paper at least, the LA150 looks set to become Arylic’s most capable integrated streaming amplifier to date, offering a compelling alternative for anyone looking to combine traditional hi-fi with modern wireless streaming.
Although it has yet to make an appearance on the company’s own website, the LA150 has already surfaced on some specialist HiFi stores, including MycHiFi, in Sweden.
