WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

Hey guys,

Considering the Wiim amp pro as it would include features my current setup (PC -> Dx3 Pro+ -> Sabaj A10A -> Focal 906) do not have : ability to play music from a home Nas and a programmable sleep mode on the amp, sub filtering. I have however a bunch of questions/quick check on its usability :
- As far as I read and understood, if my computer does not have wireless or optical out, there is no way I can use the Wiim as direct output from the computer and would still have to go PC -> usb to Dx3 -> analog to Wiim ?
- How does input selection goes on the Wiim ? Is the autodetection working well in your experience, if you have it ? (By well I mean Topping-like well) Bcuz I read that manual switching through the remote could be annoying since it made you circle through all entries (but I guess that can also be done from the app ? It's a bit of a turn-off for me to have to use my smartphone to control things and not have physical buttons on a device that can also be used for everything and clearly shows infos on itself, gotta admit)
- And, just in case even though I have big doubts having been there a while, since I'm only going to play : a) sound from computer ; b) music from nas ; c maybe) dab radio trough optical but not use wifi/bluetooth/airplay/chromecast nor any online streaming service like spotify & cie, is there a cheaper, as good alternative with only those essential features ?

 

[ghoti]

Thank you!

I have the same NAD amp so would be curious to see how you're finding the WiiM in comparison.

Also, is it strange that there aren't many other reviews on this yet, particularly in comparison to the original? Too soon?

Yes, the USB port can be used for audio out.

For EQ, start with the recommended settings here. For room correction, just follow the directions provided by Wiim.

Yeah the Wiim Amp is 2.1 only.

Yes you want a sub. I'm not sure how limited you are in terms of pricing. $200? $500? Where are you located? Options can vary depending on the market. I might suggest a refurb Kef Kube 10b for $399 to start.

Bill,
What sort of Bluetooth out does this use? I can tell it's not C, but is it 3.2, 3.*, 2.0, or what?

 

[gwing]

Can someone kindly advise how playback of music stored on a local USB drive works for this amp pro or even the standard Wiim amp? Do you have to control this with a mobile phone and the Wiim Home app or can it be driven by front panel controls or the voice remote? If you drive it from the phone app can you run a playlist or other music selection then switch the phone off and leave the amp happily playing?

For context I'm looking to put a minimalist low power consumption system in a small sailing boat. I would probably pick an Ultra (or maybe Eversolo) except that this would necessitate a separate amp, or active speakers, both of which I would like to avoid. I don't even want to leave the phone running continuously while listening and then have to charge it up if that can be avoided.

 

[Inertiaman]

Can someone kindly advise how playback of music stored on a local USB drive works for this amp pro or even the standard Wiim amp? Do you have to control this with a mobile phone and the Wiim Home app or can it be driven by front panel controls or the voice remote? If you drive it from the phone app can you run a playlist or other music selection then switch the phone off and leave the amp happily playing?

For context I'm looking to put a minimalist low power consumption system in a small sailing boat. I would probably pick an Ultra (or maybe Eversolo) except that this would necessitate a separate amp, or active speakers, both of which I would like to avoid. I don't even want to leave the phone running continuously while listening and then have to charge it up if that can be avoided.

You don't need to keep the phone running. After I initiate music on my Wiim Amp, the stereo plays non-stop, even if my phone is turned off or leaves the house w/ me for several hours on errands.

However, you DO need an active WiFi network to use the Wiim Home app and browse/select files from the USB. I don't see how you could do that blindly from the remote or front panel knob. FWIW, once Wiim is setup/configured, the WiFi needn't have internet access, so just a local router/network will do.

 

[gwing]

You don't need to keep the phone running. After I initiate music on my Wiim Amp, the stereo plays non-stop, even if my phone is turned off or leaves the house w/ me for several hours on errands.

However, you DO need an active WiFi network to use the Wiim Home app and browse/select files from the USB. I don't see how you could do that blindly from the remote or front panel knob. FWIW, once Wiim is setup/configured, the WiFi needn't have internet access, so just a local router/network will do.

Thanks that's really helpful.

Setting up at home with wifi is no problem. On the boat I will have a wifi network but it's not a standard one but whatever is provided as a wifi access point by the AIS shipping transponder for integration with tablets running navigation software - I suspect it is just a normal wifi network it provides but they make no compatibility claims outside it's intended marine functionality. Presumably if this proves unsuitable I could use Bluetooth for the phone app/amp playback connectivity?

 

[manudrz]

Hey guys,

Considering the Wiim amp pro as it would include features my current setup (PC -> Dx3 Pro+ -> Sabaj A10A -> Focal 906) do not have : ability to play music from a home Nas and a programmable sleep mode on the amp, sub filtering. I have however a bunch of questions/quick check on its usability :
- As far as I read and understood, if my computer does not have wireless or optical out, there is no way I can use the Wiim as direct output from the computer and would still have to go PC -> usb to Dx3 -> analog to Wiim ?
- How does input selection goes on the Wiim ? Is the autodetection working well in your experience, if you have it ? (By well I mean Topping-like well) Bcuz I read that manual switching through the remote could be annoying since it made you circle through all entries (but I guess that can also be done from the app ? It's a bit of a turn-off for me to have to use my smartphone to control things and not have physical buttons on a device that can also be used for everything and clearly shows infos on itself, gotta admit)
- And, just in case even though I have big doubts having been there a while, since I'm only going to play : a) sound from computer ; b) music from nas ; c maybe) dab radio trough optical but not use wifi/bluetooth/airplay/chromecast nor any online streaming service like spotify & cie, is there a cheaper, as good alternative with only those essential features ?

I can't really help you, but for PC out to Wiim input it seems that the best way is a Cubilux spdif transmitter (USB=>toslink).

Don't use your DAC, it will be double-conversion D-A-D and you don't want it.
I don't know about autodetection, I don't own it yet, but soon soon :⁠-⁠)
I don't need the online options either, but I want it for the EQ and the crossover 2.1 feature.
I'm sure others will help you.

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

I can't really help you, but for PC out to Wiim input it seems that the best way is a Cubilux spdif transmitter (USB=>toslink).

Don't use your DAC, it will be double-conversion D-A-D and you don't want it.
I don't need the online options either, but I want it for the EQ and the crossover 2.1 feature.

Yeah but I'm good too if I can keep the headphones output of the Topping. Also I thought if I used RCA out from dac to RCA in in the Wiim it would not convert again ?

Will gladly hear your first impressions if you get one before me

 

[staticV3]

Also I thought if I used RCA out from dac to RCA in in the Wiim it would not convert again ?

The WiiM's analog input is converted back to digital internally.

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

The WiiM's analog input is converted back to digital internally.

Oh, alright. Thanks for the info. That indeed makes the Dx3pro+ (more than) useless before the WiiM then. And imo strange that the latter doesn't have a USB input that would work in this case but oh well, as said earlier, convertors exist.

 

[EddNog]

Oh, alright. Thanks for the info. That indeed makes the Dx3pro+ (more than) useless before the WiiM then. And imo strange that the latter doesn't have a USB input that would work in this case but oh well, as said earlier, convertors exist.

It doesn’t have a USB input but it does have a TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) input.

-Ed

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

It doesn’t have a USB input but it does have a TOSLink (optical S/PDIF) input.

Yes, I gathered that, I was just regretting that, unlike many dacs and dac-amps, it did not have that particular input since most computers do not have optical outputs.

 

[EddNog]

Yes, I gathered that, I was just regretting that, unlike many dacs and dac-amps, it did not have that particular input since most computers do not have optical outputs.

Could always get a cheap DDC/USB interface, like an SMSL PO100.

-Ed

 

[onethreetwowaitthatswrong]

Could always get a cheap DDC/USB interface, like an SMSL PO100.

-Ed

That would probably work indeed. manudrz's solution might do the trick too :

for PC out to Wiim input it seems that the best way is a Cubilux spdif transmitter (USB=>toslink).

But both
a) add another price tag to the deal - especially the PO100 (70€ for the pro version on audiophonics for example, that's not negligible imo)
b) use the only optical entry of the Wiim, which I would personally have had other plans for - though I could try the hdmi from the PO100, but I would also like to know how Wiim's autodetect would perform in both such cases.
And I'm not generally a fan of adding supplementary steps and devices in the signal's way, steps that the Wiim amp was here to remove in my use case, and all of this because the Amp Pro is lacking a relatively common entry in other devices

 

[EddNog]

That would probably work indeed. manudrz's solution might do the trick too :

But both
a) add another price tag to the deal - especially the PO100 (70€ for the pro version on audiophonics for example, that's not negligible imo)
b) use the only optical entry of the Wiim, which I would personally have had other plans for - though I could try the hdmi from the PO100, but I would also like to know how Wiim's autodetect would perform in both such cases.
And I'm not generally a fan of adding supplementary steps and devices in the signal's way, steps that the Wiim amp was here to remove in my use case, and all of this because the Amp Pro is lacking a relatively common entry in other devices

The PO100’s HDMI port is an I2S or IIS signal and won’t work with WiiM’s eARC port.

-Ed

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

Would the Wiim drive my [spare] DALI Opticon 2 mk2's [86.5dB , 4 ohm nominal impedance] in my small home office as a 3rd system in our home?
I plan to use it for Qobuz and internet radio streaming [radio paradise], low volume levels [may be an issue?] and not for critical listening.

 

[manudrz]

https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tpa3255.pdf?ts=1733697768554&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[PacketofCrisps]

Regarding dynamic transients and peak power output versus music types this video demonstrates a need for peak power and then demonstrates not needing high peak power for some chamber music. It's a mixed bag but some people prefer to go the high power route and others are satisfied with 40W/ch etc.

Compared to this video, what to believe?

I'm kinda more inclined to believe the chap that is using a multimeter because that is showing real time voltage values, surely those power amps are just showing the power usage which would make sense for a power amp of that size, a massive power amp is going to consume a lot of power, if you had a 50w power amp with a wattage metre slapped on the front it would scale accordingly.

 

[RikC]

Just to pitch in here, I got the Wiim Amp Pro last week and it's now sitting nicely on a cupboard in our living room.

The review here assured me this should be a good buy and have not been disappointed thus far. I got the Wiim Amp Pro to replace the Topping TP60 amp i had which I got when they were still a relatively little known company in 2014. Amir once reviewed this amp in 2018 together with the FX Audio FX502SPro and had few good words for it: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...opping-tp60-and-fx-audio-fx502spro-amps.5025/.

I try to not get emotional when it comes to testing products but sometimes the test results either get me excited or depressed. And boy, was I depressed after seeing these results. The measurements here indicate that neither one of these amplifiers fit any definition of high-fidelity we strive for in this forum. The FX Audio FX502SPro is extremely cheap but in my book, is not a proper product. It has design issues and lacks power.

The Topping TP60 should do better in power department but don't assume by any stretch that you are hearing the fidelity of any good source driving it. It might be a lot more useful as dual linear power supplies and case than an amplifier!

What we are seeing is that unlike products like DACs where the underlying silicon is superb, here garden variety amplifier ICs are used which are more likely designed for soundbars, boomboxes, bluetooth speakers, and alike.

After ten years of service life the Topping TP60 started to have the left and right channel dropping out so I reckoned this was a good excuse for an upgrade . And it was evident as when I connected the amp and first played some music my spouse and mother in law who happened to be around and were under the overall impression of 'oh no he just bought another piece of equipment again' immediately reacted wow this sound great .

Our speaker setup is probably already vintage: two mission 781 speakers (the 2001 version) on floor stands and a REL Q200E subwoofer weighed down by 30x30cm stone tiles. I like how the digital crossover function allows for the sharing of effort between the speakers + amp and the sub. After a little tweaking I found that setting the crossover frequency at 70 instead of 80Hz sounded best in my situation. What I can also appreciate with the Wimm app is that it also allows you to change the subwoofer settings like the crossover frequency and gain while sitting where you normally would sit listening to music.

 

[Snuffalo_Bill]

Debating between this and a budget avr (Denon S760H or X1700H).

Would there be audible differences when powering efficient speakers (8ohm 96db)?

 

[kyuu]

If you are just doing a stereo setup and don't need the video inputs/output of the AVR, don't see any reason not to get the Wiim.