WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

[kyuu]

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".[/MEDIA]

It seems to me like this could only be true if the harmonic distortion from the amplifier and the overtones from the piano are both audible. Beating between two tones that are inaudible should be inaudible as well. If the harmonic distortion from the amplifier is audible, then that's by definition an audible difference from other amplifiers where the distortion is inaudible.

 

[shuppatsu]

Their FAQ nearly threw me for a loop.
The "WiiM Amp Pro" isn't mentioned here.

I didn't realize there was a "WiiM Pro" which is just a streamer. Wonder if they should rename something.

I mean, I get their logic but it can be confusing too.

View attachment 399423

Don't forget their French model, the ne plus ultra.

 

[Archguy]

Heh... well played.

 

[PGAMiami]

It seems to me like this could only be true if the harmonic distortion from the amplifier and the overtones from the piano are both audible. Beating between two tones that are inaudible should be inaudible as well. If the harmonic distortion from the amplifier is audible, then that's by definition an audible difference from other amplifiers where the distortion is inaudible.

To paraphrase the video. the overtones from the piano are what makes the piano sound like a piano. So they are audible. I would think most modern amplifiers that are properly designed will not have audible distortion below clipping. But the other poster was referring to "good distortion" which I assume would be by design audible (guessing a rich sounding tube amp or solid state amp with very little feedback) and would cause the beats.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

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.

This sounds questionable to me. Why wouldn't any decent amplifier be able to reproduce the sound of a recorded piano in the mix? It just doesn't add up.

Load dependence can be even more unpredictable than distortion. In fact, I'd argue it's more so, because you can't always predict how pairing different speakers will affect the amplifier's performance.

 

[PGAMiami]

This sounds questionable to me. Why wouldn't any decent amplifier be able to reproduce the sound of a recorded piano in the mix? It just doesn't add up.

Load dependence can be even more unpredictable than distortion. In fact, I'd argue it's more so, because you can't always predict how pairing different speakers will affect the amplifier's performance.

I think we agree. A modern, decent amplifier should not have audible distortion below clipping. My comment was in relation to Mike's post where he wrote

"M1 destroy's the Wiim AMP. It is not all about measuring distortion because there is also positive distortion to make music sound better."

I don't see anything positive with distortion in a hifi amp.

 

[amix]

sold my 57s and 63s

Big ouch! :-(

 

[PGAMiami]

Big ouch! :-(

Yes, these are classics. Traded the 57s for 63s and the 63s for one of the first pairs of Wilson Tiny Totts. That was in the 1980s. All of these were ahead of their time.

 

[Archguy]

Yes, these are classics. Traded the 57s for 63s and the 63s for one of the first pairs of Wilson Tiny Totts. That was in the 1980s. All of these were ahead of their time.

I've never heard the more recent models but they offer a truly alluring grille fabric option...

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

If I ever have the notion to get the WiiM Amp, I’ll try it with my 63s.

 

[amix]

If I ever have the notion to get the WiiM Amp, I’ll try it with my 63s.

Wouldn't the amp be too limited in current for electrostats?

 

[Lutuy]

Tell me what would be better:
Wiim amp pro vs yamaha wxa-50?
Or some other streamer amplifier up to $700

 

[kyuu]

Tell me what would be better:
Wiim amp pro vs yamaha wxa-50?
Or some other streamer amplifier up to $700

Better in what way?

 

[Lutuy]

Better in what way?

Sound

 

[staticV3]

Sound

You can compare Amir's measurements below:

Review and Measurements of Yamaha WXA-50 Streaming Amp

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Yamaha WXA-50, multi-function DAC, pre-amp, power amp, streaming and multi-room unit. It is on kind loan from a member. Even though it came out a few years ago (2016?), it is widely available. Amazon shows it costs US $478. Success of SONOS...

www.audiosciencereview.com

They're very similar honestly.

The WiiM has slightly lower noise and distortion, but I'd be surprised if anyone could tell them apart in a blind comparison.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

Wouldn't the amp be too limited in current for electrostats?

Shouldn't be an issue. I used to drive them with a Sonos Connect:Amp, which worked fine.

 

[kyuu]

Sound

As Static said, they're very similar and will be indistinguishable in terms of sound quality. The only difference might come through the use of EQ and/or room correction features. Overall, the Wiim Amp is cheaper and doesn't have any downsides compared to the Yamaha it seems to me.

 

[PGAMiami]

Shouldn't be an issue. I used to drive them with a Sonos Connect:Amp, which worked fine.

I believe minimum impedance for 63s is around 6 ohm, WiiM would not have a problem with that. Power doubles from 60 to 120 watts into 4 ohm. I'm shocked at how nice the WiiM Amp and Amp Pro are. A real bargain.

 

[staticV3]

I believe minimum impedance for 63s is around 6 ohm

Here's their impedance response:

Source

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Wouldn't the amp be too limited in current for electrostats?

Electrostatic speakers typically have a low, but flatter, impedance across the frequency spectrum with minimal phase shift. Contrary to popular belief, this actually makes them fairly easy loads for most amplifiers.