A streaming transport, not a streaming client

To start with, it should be emphasized that the new Keces Ebravo Streamer is not a streaming client, but rather a streaming bridge. This means that Keces Audio has omitted an integrated D/A converter, equipping the new Ebravo Streamer exclusively with digital outputs and leaving the difficult task of converting signals from digital to analogue to external specialists.
By analogy to CD players, where products without integrated D/A converters are often referred to as CD transports, the Ebravo Streamer can also be described as a streaming transport.

Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth and USB
The Keces Ebravo streamer offers no less than 4 ways of connecting it to the outside world:
1. The easiest way to connect is via Bluetooth 5.1, so you can use your smartphone or tablet to play music from directly,
2. The USB port accepts your USB sticks with music files, which can be directly used as a source,
3. The much more flexible way of streaming: connect the Ebravo to your network via the RJ45 Ethernet interface, or
4. connect it via the integrated WiFi module which works in accordance with IEEE 802.11ac.

UPnP, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect
In your network, the Keces Ebravo streamer initially functions as a DLNA-certified UPnP streaming transport, you can use your favorite app for control. The market offers countless fine solutions for both Apple iOS and Google Android for the only real industry standard. The Keces Ebravo streamer is able to play back audio data in MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis and AIFF formats up to 24 bit and 192 kHz.

Users who use TIDAL or Spotify can rely on the corresponding apps for Apple iOS and Google Android, as the Keces Ebravo streamer supports both TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect.

Nevertheless, Keces Audio also offers a suitable app for the Keces Ebravo streamer itself, namely the 4STREAM app for Apple iOS and Google Android. This app also provides the Qobuz and iHeartRadio services and allows you to access content directly from your smartphone or from a central storage solution and various cloud services.

All relevant digital interfaces
The Keces Ebravo streamer is equipped with all relevant digital interfaces, so it can be used as a streaming transport with different D/A converters in the best possible way. In addition to an optical and coaxial S/PDIF interface, it also offers the professional standard AES/EBU.

The front is equipped with a display which, however, is not graphics-capable, meaning that information is displayed briefly and crisply as text alone. There are also three buttons here for power on/off, selecting of the input and a display dimmer.

Keces P6 Low Noise Linear Power Supplier as an optional upgrade
In the box, an external 12 V DC / 1 A (switch mode) power supply unit is included. It will probably come as no surprise that Keces Audio offers upgrades in this respect, especially in the form of a KECES P6 Low Noise Linear Power Suppy (200 Euro bundle discount!). A match made in heaven!

Getting to the point
As a worthy offspring of the Keces Essential Series, the Keces Ebravo Streamer presents itself as an attractively priced, flexible streaming solution, whereby it is not a streaming client, but rather a so-called streaming bridge or streaming transport. For the signal conversion of content streamed from USB media, directly via Bluetooth from a smartphone or from the network, the Ebravo Streamer relies on an external high quality D/A converter.

In terms of sound quality, it sound remarkably ‘analog’ and fluent, while, if needed, it can make a tremendous powerful sound too. During all this, small details never get lost. Sound stage is nicely wide and open, so you get the feeling of being there live, with a correct replay of timbres.

Reviews:
Keces Ebravo, “un lecteur réseau bien alimenté by Alban Amouroux” @ Quobuz magazine
“We especially notice the increased presence of micro-information giving depth and width to the whole, the reverberations seeming more present for a better opening of the scene.”
“It is perfectly in its place in terms of price by providing a surplus of musicality compared to entry-level models. There is also less coloration with better respect for timbres, especially on vocals, as well as an extension of the soundstage.”

Keces Ebravo streamer met P6 voedingssupplement “Streaming bundel met mogelijkheden” door René van Es @ hifi.nl
“Het afspelen gebeurt met enthousiasme en drive. Waar het subtiel moet zijn, lukt dat, daarna komt de volle energie terug. Kan er weinig meer over zeggen dan dat de weergave compleet en volwaardig is.”
“Muziek heeft body, is tegelijk transparant genoeg om vooral de pianonoten extra in het zonnetje te zetten. Er zit snelheid en ritme in de weergave, waardoor de aandacht op muziek gericht kan blijven en het geen achtergrondprutje gaat worden.”

Keces Audio Ebravo Essential Streamer “this digital transport actually makes a difference” @ Audiophile Heaven
“… I feel Keces Ebravo deserves a spot in the Audiophile-Heaven Hall Of Fame for its exceptional sonic performance, outstanding resolution and clarity, and for the kind of superb voicing it gives to all songs played through it, and also for the ease of usage with Tidal and Spotify Connect.”

Keces Ebravo audiophile transport by Wojceich Pacuta @ highfidelity.pl
“it is a solidly built device that sounds great. It is saturated, smooth sound with very well arranged timbres, planes and dynamics.”

Keces Ebravo Streamer Transport by Dean Seislove @ posi+ive feedback
“Things just sounded more coherent, tuneful, and generally more satisfying…”
“I kept thinking that, based on the improved sound and solid build quality, the Ebravo actually makes a difference…and is seriously under priced.”