WiiM Amp Pro - TPA3255 PFFB | WiFi 6e | Bluetooth 5.3 vs WiiM Amp

[amarsicola]

I'd expect that many/most audiophiles won't be buying these for their main systems either

I fully disagree. Amplifiers based on TPA3255 with PFFB and full-scope power supply give you 192 watts at 4 ohm and a sinad scoring 102db. Just check here: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/...-tpa3255-amplifier-kit-480-1-29a-review.50283 . Fully audiophile and top-notch performance, at the level of the best hypex or purifi amps. I'd love to buy a wiim implementation integrated with streamer and dac and be done with the electronics. What is not to like?

 

[Deleted member 71304]

So, considering the power issues mentioned here, maybe it could be a better choice to go for the Wiim Ultra+ Fosi mono V3 rather than the Wiim Amp Pro?
Or is there some specific feature of the Amp Pro that is missing from the Ultra?

 

[gwing]

So, considering the power issues mentioned here, maybe it could be a better choice to go for the Wiim Ultra+ Fosi mono V3 rather than the Wiim Amp Pro?
Or is there some specific feature of the Amp Pro that is missing from the Ultra?

I think the Ultra and monos would be a more attractive system but, really, there aren't power issues at all on the standard Wiim amp for most people at home listening to music through averagely efficient speakers at normal domestic listening levels. If you like to listen loud in a large room you'll need to have suitable speakers and yes, maybe more power is for that desirable, but I wouldn't write off the standard Wiim amp on power grounds - it would deliver plenty for me.

That said I'm still getting a pair of the monos to partner my pro+

 

[amarsicola]

This is obvious. I wish wiim made a different design choice, would have been obviously better, for few peanuts more.

 

[niblue]

In general use the WiiM amp is powerful enough for most people. Mine is used in a fairly sizeable living room with fairly sensitive (90db) speakers plus a small subwoofer and it's plenty loud enough. And that's from someone that has a Krell amp in their main system.

 

[amarsicola]

For some situations power is enough, but in absolute terms you can find some measurements from Erin's audio corner showing limits

 

[Deleted member 71304]

I was thinking of a pair of Lintons...

 

[harkpabst]

For some situations power is enough, but in absolute terms you can find some measurements from Erin's audio corner showing limits

Yep. That's where Erin made a mistake. His multi-tone measurements are not valid.

I am a WiiM customer btw. and I don't want an external power brick. Not at all. The inbuilt PSU is a big deciding factor for me.

The only thing I don't understand is why they don't come up with a matching pure power amp for the Ultra.

 

[gwing]

Yep. That's where Erin made a mistake. His multi-tone measurements are not valid.

I am a WiiM customer btw. and I don't want an external power brick. Not at all. The inbuilt PSU is a big deciding factor for me.

The only thing I don't understand is why they don't come up with a matching pure power amp for the Ultra.

That would be popular I'm sure and maybe it is coming. However software is Wiim's strength and in a pure power amp they have no differentiator over manufacturers slimmed down to push out simple hardware at rock bottom prices. And it isn't actually needed, there are plenty of available alternatives already.

 

[harkpabst]

That would be popular I'm sure and maybe it is coming. However software is Wiim's strength and in a pure power amp they have no differentiator over manufacturers slimmed down to push out simple hardware at rock bottom prices. And it isn't actually needed, there are plenty of available alternatives already.

That's probably why they're not doing it. They might also take into account the percentage of potential buyers using either active speakers or still using the Ultra as a pure streamer.

Nevertheless, a matching power amp would have been nice to look at and that combo would have been a very clear all-WiiM stepup from the Amp and/or the Amp Pro.

 

[Descartes]

Looking forward to reading the reviews and seeing how it compares to the regular Amp!

 

[gasolin75]

A quick comparison based on available information:

	Wiim Amp	Wiim Amp Pro
Availability	available today	available in Q3 2024
Speaker Power Amplifier Chip + optimization	TPA3255	TPA3255 with PFFB ckt
Speaker Power	8 Ohm: 60 Watts 4 Ohm: 120 Watts	8 Ohm: 60 Watts 4 Ohm: 120 Watts * Same as Wiim Amp
WiFi	WiFi 5	WiFi 6e
Bluetooth	5.1	5.3
Digital to Analog Conversion	ESS 9018 K2M	ESS 9038 Q2M
SNR	98 dB	120 db
THD + N	-92dB (0.002%)	– 105dB (0.0005%)
DAC resolution	Up to 192k, 24 bit	Up to 32-bit/384kHz
Built-in Room Correction >> auto-correction!	?	Yes

So both has of july has room correction and the same amp ?

When can we buy a wiim amp pro ?

 

[gasolin75]

to keep performance (THD/Noise vs power) in check to its best?

And heat ?

 

[gasolin75]

I'm not so sure you know Wiim's demographic better than they do. It may be what you want, or even what many ASR readers lean toward, but the market demographic is much more diverse than us. MANY people, myself included, value a no-brick solution. Its also a relatively novel feature versus their competitors . . . I haven't personally noticed any other TPA3255 amplifiers with integrated power supplies.

Here you go

AIYIMA A200 Class D Amplifier TPA3255 2x180W 4 Ohm Bluetooth 5.0 Aptx-HD - Audiophonics

The Aiyima A08 PRO is a small, very powerful, high performance and affordable Class D amplifier. It is based on a TPA3255 amplifier chip and a NE5532P PDO, allowing it to deliver 2x220W of power into 4Ω.

www.audiophonics.fr

AUDIOPHONICS TPA-S100 Amplifier Class D TPA3255 Bluetooth 5.0 2x 85W 4 Ohm Black - Audiophonics

With the Audiophonics TPA-S150, we offer you a Class D amplifier benefiting from a beautiful design, allowing it to deliver a comfortable power of 2x150W under 4Ω. It uses a Texas Instruments TPA3255 amplifier chip.

www.audiophonics.fr

AUDIOPHONICS TPA-S120 Class D 2.1 Amplifier 2x TPA3255 Bluetooth 5.0 QCC5125 2x120W + 1x240W 4 Ohm 4 Ohm Black - Audiophonics

The Audiophonics TPA-S120 is a Class D amplifier capable of delivering comfortable power and rich sound reproduction, all at a contained price. At the heart of it, two TPA3251 amplifier chips allow it to develop 2x120W with a nice dynamic...

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[gasolin75]

In general use the WiiM amp is powerful enough for most people. Mine is used in a fairly sizeable living room with fairly sensitive (90db) speakers plus a small subwoofer and it's plenty loud enough. And that's from someone that has a Krell amp in their main system.

Some say it lacks power at 75% which is 45 watt in 8 ohm and 90 watt in 4 ohm

Stil enough for most people and certainly for 90 db sensitive speakers

Think they easily could use a bigger psu for hard to drive speakers and improve ventilation (hole) to accommodate the higher heat playing loud with insensitive speakers

 

[gasolin75]

Yep. That's where Erin made a mistake. His multi-tone measurements are not valid.

I am a WiiM customer btw. and I don't want an external power brick. Not at all. The inbuilt PSU is a big deciding factor for me.

The only thing I don't understand is why they don't come up with a matching pure power amp for the Ultra.

Fosi audio v3 mono is the solution if you need more power, use it with a streamer and you have the extra power some might need, 98 and 192 watt in 8 and 4 ohm

Fosi Audio V3 Mono Amplifier Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Fosi Audio V3 Mono class D amplifier. It was sent to me by the company. The price with the power supply I tested is US $139.99. I must say the concept of a "monoblock" amplifier in such a small size runs foul of any expectation a longtime...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[harkpabst]

When can we buy a wiim amp pro ?

As soon as it will be available. WiiM originally targeted the end of Q3.

Here you go

AIYIMA A200 Class D Amplifier TPA3255 2x180W 4 Ohm Bluetooth 5.0 Aptx-HD - Audiophonics

The Aiyima A08 PRO is a small, very powerful, high performance and affordable Class D amplifier. It is based on a TPA3255 amplifier chip and a NE5532P PDO, allowing it to deliver 2x220W of power into 4Ω.

www.audiophonics.fr

AIYIMA A70 2.1 Channel Amplifier

AIYIMA's A70 is a 2.1-channel Class D amplifier featuring quality components. It incorporates a TI TPA3255 amplifier chip combined with two NE5532 AOPs for an output power of up to 2x 185W at 4 ohms.

www.audiophonics.fr

AUDIOPHONICS TPA-S100 Amplifier Class D TPA3255 Bluetooth 5.0 2x 85W 4 Ohm Black - Audiophonics

With the Audiophonics TPA-S150, we offer you a Class D amplifier benefiting from a beautiful design, allowing it to deliver a comfortable power of 2x150W under 4Ω. It uses a Texas Instruments TPA3255 amplifier chip.

www.audiophonics.fr

AUDIOPHONICS TPA-S120 Class D 2.1 Amplifier 2x TPA3255 Bluetooth 5.0 QCC5125 2x120W + 1x240W 4 Ohm 4 Ohm Black - Audiophonics

The Audiophonics TPA-S120 is a Class D amplifier capable of delivering comfortable power and rich sound reproduction, all at a contained price. At the heart of it, two TPA3251 amplifier chips allow it to develop 2x120W with a nice dynamic...

www.audiophonics.fr

None of these is an integrated network amplifier. The A70 needs an external power brick, btw.

Some say it lacks power at 75% which is 45 watt in 8 ohm and 90 watt in 4 ohm

Those who say so don't have a clue, unfortunately. Do you have a reference for that statement?

Fosi audio v3 mono is the solution if you need more power, use it with a streamer and you have the extra power some might need, 98 and 192 watt in 8 and 4 ohm

I am a WiiM customer btw. and I don't want an external power brick. Not at all. The inbuilt PSU is a big deciding factor for me.

I don't want an external power brick. Not at all. The inbuilt PSU is a big thing for me.

Having said that, I already have a pair of those, just for the fun of checking them out. The amount of heat these small class D amps generate even when idling is ridiculous.

PS:
192 Watts (Fosi V3 Mono) over 122 Watts (WiiM Amp) will buy you an additional SPL headroom of 1.97 dB.

Both measurements taken by Amir, so both true and trusted to the same extend.

 

[Descartes]

So with 85db sensitivity speakers probably not recommended, unless near field conditions meaning less than 3ft from the speakers!

 

[harkpabst]

So with 85db sensitivity speakers probably not recommended, unless near field conditions meaning less than 3ft from the speakers!

... or only if required listening levels are not very high, e.g. in a bedroom system.

Putting it in other words, a pair of Fosi V3 Mono can go as loud with 85 dB sensitivity speakers as the WiiM Amp (or WiiM Amp Pro) can go with 87 dB sensitivity speakers.

The current Amp is not suited to 2 ohm speakers, though (which are a rare find).

 

[DearSX]

Any reason to get the WiiM Ultra over the WiiM Pro Amp if this seems to do it all minus the display?

I already own the WiiM ultra and its great, but seems like the new WiiM Pro Amp can do the same thing plus its a power amp. My speakers are 90db efficient too.