Choosing an Amp for Warm Speakers – Need Advice

[DanielT]

Hi everyone,

I’m just getting into the audiophile space and recently purchased the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i speakers because I prefer a warm sound signature.

Now I’m looking for an integrated amplifier, but I’m stuck between three options:

1. Denon PMA-900HNE(60k)
2. WiiM Amp(35k)
3. Marantz PM6007 + WiiM Mini(60k)

My usage is fairly simple:

- Music streaming primarily from my phone (Spotify, etc.)
- Connecting to my TV for movies and occasional music playback

I understand there’s a difference between traditional amplifiers (like Denon/Marantz) and newer streaming amps like the WiiM Amp, but I’m not sure how noticeable that difference really is in real-world usage.

I’ve read that the Denon PMA-900HNE has a warmer sound compared to the Marantz PM6007. This brings me to a concern:
Would pairing an already warm speaker (Wharfedale 12.1i) with a warm amplifier be too much? Could it make the sound overly soft or lacking in detail?

Also, considering that the PM6007 + WiiM Mini combo offers more features at a lower cost, would that be a better balanced option overall?

Thanks in advance!

If you plan to use WiiM’s RoomFit, my advice is to spend an extra $80–$140 and buy either a Dayton Audio UMM-6 USB Measurement Microphone or a UMIK-1 Measurement Microphone—provided your mobile phone or tablet supports them. It is a simple plug-and-play process to load their calibration files into the WiiM and then perform measurements.
This yields better results than using the built-in microphone on a phone or tablet (since those aren't dedicated measurement microphones).

 

[davmol]

Another value calibrated mic option on the above is the Eversolo EM-01, which I have enjoyed using for a while now. It's no doubt far better to use a calibrated mic than a phone mic but I was able to get usable WiiM roomfit results with my Pixel 8 and Galaxy S22 phones, and then tweak to taste, so I would say if overall budget is tight then I'd skip the mic until it can be afforded / added later.

 

[Ruediger]

I have only good experiences with RoomFit. An Umik-1 and some cheap tripod is a good investment.

Umik-1 works on Apple and Samsung S phones and tablets. That's just the ones I know.

 

[rjp]

Hi everyone,

I’m just getting into the audiophile space and recently purchased the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i speakers because I prefer a warm sound signature.
...
I’ve read that the Denon PMA-900HNE has a warmer sound compared to the Marantz PM6007. This brings me to a concern:
Would pairing an already warm speaker (Wharfedale 12.1i) with a warm amplifier be too much? Could it make the sound overly soft or lacking in detail?

In the past I would have tried different amps to see which paired best with those speakers, but now I am of the opinion that you should just buy a good high powered neutral amp and rely on eq to shape your sound. There are so many good neutral amps now, especially if you are open to class D.

 

[aon500]

Wharfedale are easy to match with.

First what system are you using with Wharfedale Diamond 12.1i now?

and Are you ok with that? or lack/want something more?

 

[Marc v E]

In the past I would have tried different amps to see which paired best with those speakers, but now I am of the opinion that you should just buy a good high powered neutral amp and rely on eq to shape your sound. There are so many good neutral amps now, especially if you are open to class D.

This is exactly my experience.
I found out that tweaking the frequency curve to my liking makes a sound 'warm' vs analytic. Also, adding a sub gives the warmth I usually miss in speakers.

Anyway, long story short: equalisation is the way to tailor your speaker to your room and to your taste ime.

 

[DSJR]

Adding to the the good recommendations by fellow members: There is no such thing as a "warm" amplifier.

Indeed, there WAS a difference in solid state amps back in the 90s and noughties at least - compare a Quad 77 amp with a UK made Audiolab 8000S at matched volume levels and into a typical mid-priced speaker

Yes I know, things have moved on since those days and amp distortion is usually orders of magnitude better than thirty years back (even Naim amps are 15 - 20dB better measuring now than the older models), but we didn't *always* imagine these differences I can assure you.

 

[rjp]

Anyway, long story short: equalisation is the way to tailor your speaker to your room and too your taste ime.

It wasn't too long ago that audiophiles eschewed tone controls and EQ and anything else that might alter the sound in the signal path.
I think the change to digital processing opened the door to much higher quality equalization than what we hade years ago in the analog domain, and this made a big difference.
I'm glad it's in favor now.

 

[john61ct]

Wiim Amp Ultra.

Go for transparent accuracy as the primary objective.

What you are calling "warmth" is a colouration you can shape with EQ according to your preference and taste.

Step back to "neutral" fidelity occasionally to recalibrate your ears, the tone controls "best" settings can vary a lot by the music content.

Correcting room effects and strengthening LF performance is what will make your system sound AMAZINGLY better

more important than component selection.

 

[Multicore]

I do hope @Mahin returns to read all our glorious advice.

 

[DMill]

I’d say WiiM also. If not that Yamaha still has integrated amps that offer tone controls that are analog and really simple to use. They may even offer some features that are nice to have. I’ve been really impressed by the RN1000A I currently use. But there ARE SO MANY great amps now.