WiiM Amp Pro Streaming Stereo Amplifier Review

[Abstracted]

I want to use the WAP as a DAC/Room Correction/amp only, with my laptop as the music source. It only has USB ports available. Is my only option to go with a USB to SPDIF convertor? And if so, can I assume that the audio signal will stay unperturbed through the conversion?

Also, I've heard that with a USB->SPDIF I'm not able to adjust the volume using the volume controls on my computer. Volume can only be adjusted on the WAP. Hopefully that's incorrect, and I can adjust the volume using Windows volume control.

Perhaps someone with this setup can chime in?

 

[staticV3]

Is my only option to go with a USB to SPDIF convertor?

That, or you can stream your music to the WAP via UPnP/DLNA.

And if so, can I assume that the audio signal will stay unperturbed through the conversion?

Yes.

Also, I've heard that with a USB->SPDIF I'm not able to adjust the volume using the volume controls on my computer. Volume can only be adjusted on the WAP.

It depends.

On macOS, the default OS volume control only works if your USB->SPDIF converter supports UAC2 Hardware volume control.

On Windows, the default OS volume control will work with all converters, unless you use ASIO or Wasapi Exclusive playback, in which case you'd again need a USB->SPDIF converter with UAC2 Hardware volume control support.

One inexpensive USB->SPDIF converter with UAC2 Hardware volume control support is the SMSL PO100 2024.

 

[Abstracted]

One inexpensive USB->SPDIF converter with UAC2 Hardware volume control support is the SMSL PO100 2024.

It doesn't look like PO100 2024 supports UAC. The PO100 PRO does though.

But since I mostly use Youtube Music to stream which doesn't have Exclusive Mode, will a USB->SPDIF unidirectional cable suffice?: https://www.amazon.com/Tackston-USB-Optical-Unidirectional-Compatible/dp/B0CGVK3MC1

I ask because I really prefer to control my music using my computer and big monitor opposed to my phone.

 

[staticV3]

It doesn't look like PO100 2024 supports UAC.

Sure does:

WiiM Ultra... Am I missing something?

I tried a similar Cubilux USB-C to Optical adapter and heard consistent dropouts/clicks when connected to both my MacBook Pro and Lenovo PC. Returned that and ordered the SMSL PO100 (2024 edition) off eBay before it was listed on Amazon. Received it in about a week and it has worked flawlessly...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Abstracted]

Sure does:

WiiM Ultra... Am I missing something?

I tried a similar Cubilux USB-C to Optical adapter and heard consistent dropouts/clicks when connected to both my MacBook Pro and Lenovo PC. Returned that and ordered the SMSL PO100 (2024 edition) off eBay before it was listed on Amazon. Received it in about a week and it has worked flawlessly...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Wow, thanks!
Really odd that they don't mention it on their website. And on the Amazon listing there's this:

 

[texugo]

I am looking to run a usb headphone amp off the Wiim Amp Pro using the new USB out functionality.

Does anyone know the current output available on the USB port? I'm assuming its a 500mA USB 2.0 port, but Wiim's specs don't say what it is anywhere that I can see.

 

[El Cheapo]

I am looking to run a usb headphone amp off the Wiim Amp Pro using the new USB out functionality.

Does anyone know the current output available on the USB port? I'm assuming its a 500mA USB 2.0 port, but Wiim's specs don't say what it is anywhere that I can see.

Simple google search: wiim amp pro usb output current capacity

WiiM Devices	Voltage Range	Current Capacity
WiiM Amp	4.85V to 5.25V	650mA
WiiM Amp Pro	5V	1.5A

USB Port Power Specifications on Your WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro

 

[texugo]

Simple google search: wiim amp pro usb output current capacity

WiiM Devices	Voltage Range	Current Capacity
WiiM Amp	4.85V to 5.25V	650mA
WiiM Amp Pro	5V	1.5A

USB Port Power Specifications on Your WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro

Awesome,

Funny thing, I did that almost that exact google search and didn't get any useful results; such is the lamentable state of google these days.

 

[Overseas]

Is it APTX BT ?

 

[MNMLSM]

No.

 

[AlexScan]

This Wiim Amp really interests me!

I'm planning on pairing it with GoldenEar Triton... the perfect match

Quick questions:

-Does it support DSD and MQA on the USB/SPDIF input?
-Which BT codec does it support?

 

[kyuu]

-Does it support DSD and MQA on the USB/SPDIF input?

Stereo PCM on both, Dolby Digital on Wiim Pro only. USB supports drives and output only, I believe.

-Which BT codec does it support?

SBC and ACC as far as I'm aware.

 

[Abstracted]

Wow! Over $50 off at Amazon.com (US), for $322 today!

 

[AlexScan]

Stereo PCM on both, Dolby Digital on Wiim Pro only. USB supports drives and output only, I believe.

SBC and ACC as far as I'm aware.

You mean the Wiim Amp Pro can't be use as a USB DAC ?

Damn no good codec, forgot BT for my phone...

 

[staticV3]

You mean the Wiim Amp Pro can't be use as a USB DAC ?

Correct.

If you want a wired connection, then you can connect the WiiM to your computer or phone using a Hifime UT23, Cubilux SPDIF Converter, or SMSL PO100 2024.

 

[Tonton_ZEeD]

Turning subwoofer ON to OFF there disables everything under the subwoofer menu. I'm looking to use the high-pass filter (Crossover frequency with subwoofer ON) and leaving subwoofer OFF there seems to disable the crossover frequency/HPF as well as the other options (level, main speaker output bass etc), meanwhile if I physically turn the subwoofer off I can still leave the subwoofer ON on the app and adjust crossover frequency/HPF to effectively kill lower frequencies for more intelligibility in dialogue when I'm using only as 2.0 instead of 2.1

Is the wiim amp still use the crossover when your sub is not powered ? If it is, just add a smart plug to it or just set it off

 

[donahana]

Is the wiim amp still use the crossover when your sub is not powered ? If it is, just add a smart plug to it or just set it off

Yeah the crossover/High-pass filter still works when sub is off thankfully, if the sub is on then reducing level to -15db (and some more from PEQ preset) and HPF to 100-120hz is enough, turning it off also solves the problem but that is more annoying due to current sub's positioning in the corner under a desk so sometimes I'm too lazy to crawl (if that) there lol, though I'll be repositioning the sub as well as the PC once new GPU arrives

 

[vord]

Hello.
I own a pair of Dynaudio Excite X18 which have an 86 dB sensitivity, and would like to know what you think about pairing them with the WiiM Amp Pro. I have read that low-sensitivity speakers need a strong power supply more than "power". What do you think about it?

 

[staticV3]

Hello.
I own a pair of Dynaudio Excite X18 which have an 86 dB sensitivity, and would like to know what you think about pairing them with the WiiM Amp Pro. I have read that low-sensitivity speakers need a strong power supply more than "power". What do you think about it?

Dynaudio tend to overstate their speakers' sensitivity by 2dB, so while we don't have independent sensitivity data of the X18, bumping the MFR spec of 86dB down to 84 is a more realistic estimate.


What we do know is that the X18 is firmly a 4Ω speaker:

Source

At 4Ω, the Amp Pro can output about 22Vrms, meaning it can drive one X18 speaker to about 86+20*log10(22/2.83)=104dB SPL Peak at 1m anechoic.

Of course, that is before you add a second speaker and before room reinforcement.

To get a more realistic estimate based on two speakers playing, your actual listening distance, and room gain, take a look here:

Relationship between input voltage and output power?

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/what-is-the-right-interpretation-of-input-sensitivity-for-an-amp.16232/

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[mrmojo]

I tried the loudness eq for the wiim amp pro, and I can't say it really improved my experience at lower volumes on harder to drive speakers (polk r200).

Is this the fault of wiim's implementation of the loudness eq? Do older amps like yamaha's do a better job implementing the loudness eq? Or in general does loudness eq, whether on wiim or the yamaha not do much?