In this article, I’m reviewing the KGUSS BL01 HiFi Bluetooth Receiver. The BL01 can easily turn your existing stereo setup into a streaming system you can use with a phone or tablet. It’s priced at $49.
Disclaimer: This sample was provided by HiFi College for an honest review. All observations and opinions here are my own, based on my experience with the product.
KGUSS BL01
Table of Contents

Design
Physically, the BL01 is a palm-sized black box. It feels well-built and has rounded corners. A single button and 2 small LEDs are on the front panel. A short press of the button cycles between Aux out and Digital out while a long press powers the device On or Off.
The first LED indicates the Bluetooth status, denoting whether it’s in pairing mode or already connected. Meanwhile, the second LED illuminates green in Aux out mode and switches to red in Digital out mode.

Moving from left to right on the rear I/O panel, we find the Bluetooth antenna followed by Optical out, Coaxial out, RCA outputs, and finally, the DC 12V input. The BL01 can be connected to a wide variety of devices such as power amplifiers, headphone amplifiers and active speakers.
Internally, the BL01 has a Qualcomm QCC3031 SoC enabling Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX and aptX HD audio. The Bluetooth has a stable working distance of 10 meters. In charge of the output is a Texas Instruments NE5532 op-amp.

Sound
For testing, I hooked the BL01 up to the SMSL DA-1 which was then connected to my NHT C3 speakers and played Hi-Res FLAC files and Spotify premium music.
The KGUSS BL01 sounds pretty much as I’d expect a Bluetooth receiver to – neutral and uncoloured. Its purpose is to convert HiFi systems into streaming systems and that’s exactly what it does.
The resulting sound will depend mostly on your amplifier and speakers. Upon integration into a HiFi setup, the BL01 seamlessly bridges the gap between conventional audio systems and modern streaming capabilities. By maintaining a faithful reproduction of audio signals without introducing notable colouration or distortion, it preserves the integrity of the original sound source. This neutrality allows audiophiles to enjoy their favourite tracks with clarity and accuracy, immersing themselves in the nuances of the music while leveraging the convenience of wireless connectivity.
Furthermore, the BL01’s transparent sound profile ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio preferences and genres. Whether listeners prioritize the intricate details of classical compositions or the dynamic energy of contemporary tracks, this Bluetooth receiver faithfully transmits the essence of each performance. As a result, users can confidently explore diverse musical genres knowing that the BL01 will faithfully reproduce their chosen content with fidelity and precision.

Verdict
To summarize, the KGUSS BL01 does exactly what it’s intended to do – it seamlessly bridges the gap between conventional audio systems and modern streaming capabilities. It’s simple to use and functions consistently. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to breathe new life into an older stereo system, the BL01 is a good way to do it.