WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

[Mike_Trueman]

There are not much reviews yet, about this amp.

 

[Emiyanez]

There are not much reviews yet, about this amp.

In terms of functionality, it will be identical to the "vanilla" version so you know exactly what to expect. Everything is controlled by the app so the user experience will be identical but with superior performance (at least based on the measurements).

 

[Mike_Trueman]

Yeah seems like only the dac is a little bit better but i do not think we can hear the difference.

 

[Ajax]

Yes. You can select the crossover frequency so you can easily reduce the load of the amp.

Thanks, would there be a way that Amir could measure the affect in watts?

Would the crossover be positioned before the Wiim amp, as occurs in an active system?

 

[staticV3]

Thanks, would there be a way that Amir could measure the affect in watts?

The WiiM will still output the same 120W/4Ω.

It's just that with the high-pass filter engaged, that 120W can be fully utilized on 100Hz and up where the main speakers will be most efficient, resulting in higher max SPL.

Would the crossover be positioned before the Wiim amp, as occurs in an active system?

Correct.

 

[Miker 1102]

So what's in a musical recording at such high frequencies?

What commonly used acoustic music miking mics - I'm not talking about the ones used for some unrealistically well-made test recordings to show that there are harmonics at a high level after placing the mic in the mouthpiece of the trumpet or flush with the piano strings at the very end of the soundboard -, go above 20-21 Khz? Not the great Neumans anyway. Some B&K go higher but they don't have much to capture when they are 2 m or more from the instruments to be recorded... And what is there to record at these frequencies in a concert hall ?

Not much and on an infinitesimally small level...

What effects potentiated with each other could have effects an octave or two lower that would measure up and be found in the audible band?

I don't know... if someone can tell us...

Apart from the fact that the energy in these higher frequencies is low to non-existent in music, among those who can no longer call themselves youth there is hardly anyone who hears these higher frequencies at all.

Yeah. I did a hearing test and I can still hear pretty high frequencies but at that level nothing.

 

[Miker 1102]

It's a fine device. I don't think it was needed in the lineup.

How many more customers are they going to serve with this vs the regular amp? The design and production resources should have gone elsewhere, no?

Make a remote subwoofer device!

Actually the basic room correction and the Dolby digital make this a winner for me. I didn't know about this one or I would have waited. These products are winners, folks. My wife likes the size and look of the product. This gives me a nice stereo and better television experience when I move into my old age flat. My mcmansion with home media room dream is ending. I will be holding out wirh my htpc but that's a different hobby

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Just reading the different uses this is being put to, it's very versatile.

 

[Miker 1102]

Just reading the different uses this is being put to, it's very versatile.

I agree. I really wish I knew this was coming out before I bought the other version. I have been looking for a small tv solution for a while. I felt the other smaller amps were to cheap. I bought a NAD 7050 and it was garbage compared to this. That is honest. I think this is a good recommendation for most users. Ii don't think it's for critical listening but It is long way from my boom box back in the 80s

 

[Mulder]

Ii don't think it's for critical listening

Why?

 

[Ajax]

The WiiM will still output the same 120W/4Ω.

It's just that with the high-pass filter engaged, that 120W can be fully utilized on 100Hz and up where the main speakers will be most efficient, resulting in higher max SPL.


Correct.

Hi Static,

Thank you for your answers, appreciated.

I am really interested in this amp as I prefer to incorporate subs in both music and theatre systems, especially when you have DSP capabilities such is the case with the Wiim Pro amp.

Do you know for a fact that the cross over is activated prior to the amp or are you just assuming. Reason I'm asking is that if properly incorporated, an active sub with sensitive mains (say greater than 88db) using DSP, the Wiim amp at 60 watts could have enough power to be used in a living room system and could be the bargain of the century at US$379.

Streamer - LAN, Wireless & Bluetooth
DAC - Optical and coaxial inputs into a high performing DAC
HDMI
Analogue for a turntable
AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify and Tidal Connect
60 watt amp
Sub out etc
DSP

It offers a lot of flexibility and features in a small high performing package. Quite amazing when you compare it to the incredibly expensive nonsense being spouted by the magazines. Knowledge is power when purchasing audio gear (apologies for the pun).

 

[staticV3]

Do you know for a fact that the cross over is activated prior to the amp or are you just assuming.

I know for a fact.

A crossover implemented after the Amp would be insanely costly, complicated, and disadvantageous. It just wouldn't work with WiiM's device concept.

 

[mrick39]

Hi Static,

Thank you for your answers, appreciated.

I am really interested in this amp as I prefer to incorporate subs in both music and theatre systems, especially when you have DSP capabilities such is the case with the Wiim Pro amp.

Do you know for a fact that the cross over is activated prior to the amp or are you just assuming. Reason I'm asking is that if properly incorporated, an active sub with sensitive mains (say greater than 88db) using DSP, the Wiim amp at 60 watts could have enough power to be used in a living room system and could be the bargain of the century at US$379.

Streamer - LAN, Wireless & Bluetooth
DAC - Optical and coaxial inputs into a high performing DAC
HDMI
Analogue for a turntable
AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify and Tidal Connect
60 watt amp
Sub out etc
DSP

It offers a lot of flexibility and features in a small high performing package. Quite amazing when you compare it to the incredibly expensive nonsense being spouted by the magazines. Knowledge is power when purchasing audio gear (apologies for the pun).

No Airplay2

 

[Joffy1780]

No Airplay2

Or coax input.

 

[PeterHans]

Newbie with amps here, ordered a pair of KEF LS50 Meta and now I'm wondering if I should buy the original WiiM Amp or wait for the new Amp Pro?
Room will be really small (my bedroom), listening distance about 1m - 1,5m. Is the Pro a big improvement or are just nuances between both versions?

 

[Yorkshire Mouth]

Newbie with amps here, ordered a pair of KEF LS50 Meta and now I'm wondering if I should buy the original WiiM Amp or wait for the new Amp Pro?
Room will be really small (my bedroom), listening distance about 1m - 1,5m. Is the Pro a big improvement or are just nuances between both versions?

Just as a very general comment, the KEF's are..."not budget". Whilst the difference in price between the Amp and Amp Pro is fairly minimal, certainly in comparison.

Several times I've seen favourable comparisons between these KEFs (UK price £1,000+) and the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1s (UK price £250-).

In short, the difference in the amount you'll spend between the Amp and Amp Pro is likely to be tiny compared with the differences between the prices of the speakers you'll match with them.

I believe others have used the Amp with those KEFs and been happy. Paying the extra for the Amp Pro is probably not something I'd consider worrying about.

 

[Miker 1102]

Why?

There is some question about audible nosie in the higher frequencies. The basic version has some issues with the impedance of the speaker. I think the expectation for critical listening for audio people is the amplifier has no issues like this. I am not knowledge enough to really comment. I also cannot hear some of the frequency range discussed as I am later middle aged and went hundreds of heavy rock concerts.

 

[Smitty2k1]

Unlike Airplay, I hope new WiiM Amp Pro is (always) compatible with LMS (Logitech Media Server) and Squeezelite, my media library.

Wish they could get it in the Mini. I got one collecting dust

 

[PGAMiami]

Hooked up my WiiM Amp Pro today to a pair of DYI Jeff Bagby Continuum II speakers (8 ohm 84 db). Sounds great, plays plenty loud in an 18x12 room. No need to spend any more than this.

I wonder how it would sound with a pair of Quad ESLs …. These don’t take much power anyways. Too bad I sold my 57s and 63s years ago.

 

[PGAMiami]

Can't tell if this is a serious comment or not.

For nearly 3 times the cost I certainly hope it has some advantages over the Wiim Amp to justify the price. Frankly, I doubt it. They couldn't even bother to get Roon certification for that price it seems.

"Positive distortion" isn't a thing though. Distortion is distortion. If you really want that "warm" sound, just use EQ. Which the Wiim has. You don't need to spend extra for it or tolerate the equipment forcing coloration of the content.

Edit: It does have Roon support, for some reason they just buried the Roon thing way deep into their listing.

There is a great interview below of John Siau of Benchmark where he explains how harmonic distortion affects how amplifiers sound, particularly with regards to a piano. He proposes that pianos produce overtones that are at a slightly higher frequency than the precise harmonics. So when piano is playing on an amplifier that has rich even harmonic distortion, you hear both the precise harmonic from the amplifier and also the slightly higher frequency piano overtone, at the same time. This causes them to "beat". Simple but very instructive explanation from a no snake oil company.

The Amp Pro has very little distortion and care has been taken to greatly reduce any load dependance (which in any case is much less bothersome than distortion). It's a great amp. Unless you're using an amp with distortion in a studio or as an instrument amp (like for a lead guitar) to create a sound, I don't see distortion as being good. It may make some things sound better but it's unpredictable and mostly damaging to the sound.