WiiM Amp Review: The Do-it-All Streaming Amplifier
Let’s talk about the WiiM Amp; a versatile piece of kit that promises to be the heart of your streaming hi-fi system.
We’ve chosen to review this amplifier because it stands out as a do-it-all solution for music lovers wanting to merge high-quality sound with the convenience of streaming. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing setup without breaking the bank or build a new system from scratch, this WiiM Amp review will provide you with the information you’ll need to make up your mind.
The Verdict
In a nutshell, the WiiM Amp is a game-changer for budget-conscious music enthusiasts, blending hi-res streaming capabilities with amplification in one sleek package. It’s a just-add-speakers solution that punches above its weight, offering a seamless listening experience.
Pros:
1.Exceptional value for money
2.Supports Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Amazon Music, Deezer, internet radio, and more
3.Versatile connectivity with Wi-Fi, LAN, two-way Bluetooth, and HDMI ARC among other inputs
4.User-friendly app setup and operation, including voice-assistant compatibility
Cons:
1.Just one input per connection type may reduce the number of external sources you can attach
2.Some users may require more power to drive higher-end, larger, or more demanding speakers
Specifications
WiiM Amp Review
Price
Just shy of £300, the WiiM Amp offers a sweet spot between affordability and performance.
Sure, you could compartmentalise your hi-fi system, pairing a budget amp or active speakers with something like the WiiM Mini or WiiM Pro and maybe save a little overall, but then you’d miss out on the seamless convenience and quality that the WiiM Amp offers.
While it may lack some connectivity features or “oomph” compared to pricier alternatives like the Marantz PM7000N, Yamaha R-N600A, or Bluesound POWERNODE, it’s a great choice when prioritising value and ease of use.
Design and connectivity
One of the main attractions of the WiiM Amp is undoubtedly its size. It’s so small! No dimension exceeds 20 cm, with a height of 6.3 cm, which is ideal if you’re looking for a discreet hi-fi amplifier.
Small media cabinet? Desktop gaming setup? Need something to connect your TV, turntable, or CD player to? The versatility of this amp makes it capable of slotting into a lot of contemporary sound systems. It features an HDMI ARC input, as well as optical, USB, and RCA. It even has a subwoofer output for bass enhancement.
While this might not be the most extensive list of connections, it’s important to remember the vast online music library available through network streaming. For casual users, these connections should prove more than enough.
In terms of control, the WiiM Amp leans more towards minimalism. With a multifunctional volume dial and a handful of LED indicators, the front panel keeps things simple and, while the addition of a voice assistant-ready, Bluetooth remote control is nice, the WiiM Home App is where this amp truly excels.
This free mobile app significantly simplifies managing the WiiM Amp, allowing you to adjust volume, EQ, and switch sources, while also facilitating multiroom setup.
You can smoothly synchronise music throughout your home by linking the Amp to various devices, including those enabled with AirPlay 2, Amazon Echo, and Google Home. This creates a cohesive audio environment and even lets you cast audio from connected sources like turntables and CD players.
Features
At its heart, the WiiM Amp supports leading streaming protocols like Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2, making it a breeze to cast music from your smartphone, tablet, or computer.
These ensure that you can enjoy your favourite tracks, podcasts, and playlists from popular streaming services, with added support for Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect.
You can connect to your home network via Wi-Fi or LAN, ensuring a reliable, stable connection for streaming high-definition audio. It’s also DNLA compatible, allowing you to stream content directly from your networked devices, making it a versatile option for those with extensive stored music libraries.
Bluetooth is a two-way street, meaning it’s not only possible to link and play tunes from your smartphone whenever the mood strikes but you can also send audio to Bluetooth-enabled speakers and headphones, offering an option for a wire-free music experience.
Simply connect and play your favourite tunes instantly; the Amp combines convenience with high-quality audio for an unbeatable listening experience. This blend of advanced and conventional connectivity options ensures that the WiiM Amp meets the needs of all users, providing a seamless and intuitive audio experience.
Sound and performance
We’ve explored the streaming capabilities. Now let’s pivot to the sound quality of the WiiM Amp.
A glance at the on-paper specs shows us a Class D amp with a 60-watt output at 8 ohms, and double that to 120 Watts per channel at 4 ohms. Whilst not a juggernaut, for its size you should have no issue using this amp to fill a small-to-medium listening space.
Central to the WiiM Amp’s audio performance is its ESS Sabre ES9018 DAC chip. This reliable digital-to-analogue converter, combined with the size-efficient Class-D Texas Instruments T1 3255 chipset, allows the WiiM Amp to deliver high-resolution audio up to 192 kHz/24-bit.
Including the ESS Sabre DAC ensures the WiiM Amp provides a sound that is not only sharp but also closely mirrors the original track, justifying its status as one of WiiM’s higher-priced products.
Taking this amp into our showroom, we began by setting it up with the Wharfedale 9.1 Bookshelf Speakers; a natural combo, as both products offer exceptional value for money if you’re just testing the waters.
This pairing was perfectly presentable.
If cost is your main concern and you’re looking for something to fill the void in an everyday listening space, this bundle is a good, relatively cheap hi-fi system that offers a step up in sound quality. If we had to be particular though, there was a slight desire for more power, as the Wharfedales were somewhat reserved at lower volumes.
Again, nothing that’s going to make or break a casual setup, but for us, this highlighted the nuances of power dynamics more than a clarity issue.
So let’s try something different.
As we transitioned to the ELAC B5.2 Speakers, our experience was transformative. The WiiM Amp truly came into its own, delivering a spacious presentation and a wide soundstage that was both detailed and engaging.
By pairing it with the ELACs, this bundle truly showcased the Amp’s performance potential, with instrument and frequency separation that was very clear. Vocals were legible across genres, from intricate indie rock to the ambient textures of more atmospheric tracks.
The WiiM Amp’s handling of electronic music was especially impressive.
It delivered tracks packed with well-defined lead synths and glitchy beats, and even through faster, more frenetic pieces – which can pose a challenge for even more expensive systems – the Amp maintained its composure, demonstrating a surprising capacity to punch above its weight. We just couldn’t help but blast it out.
Throughout our demo, it became clear that the WiiM Amp is adept at navigating a wide array of musical genres and sound pressure levels. The performance became even more engaging at higher volumes, accurately keeping pace with the demanding passages found in full orchestral works, despite its compact size.
Sure, the WiiM Home App lets you mess around with EQ parameters a little if you’re not completely satisfied, but overall, the WiiM Amp delivers a performance that we think should satisfy hi-fi enthusiasts and everyday users alike.
Who is the WiiM Amp Streaming Amplifier Suited To?
As streaming becomes more entrenched in the world of hi-fi, the competition naturally grows. Brands like Sonos, Bluesound, and Eversolo have expanded their repertoire to suit a variety of audiences.
But if you’re in the market for a reliable, low-cost streaming amplifier that’s brimming with functionality, honestly there’s nothing better at this price.
WiiM are demonstrating the future of music streaming here: something that’s open to everyone.
It’s also a great way of integrating digital streaming into a traditional hi-fi system, especially if you don’t want to commit to a complete system overhaul or don’t have the space for a separate streamer in your media cabinet.
In the same vein, for those in tighter living spaces or whose hi-fi den is restricted to a smaller room, the WiiM Amp uses minimal space without being an eye sore. The aluminium casing lends the amp an upscale aesthetic compared to the more plasticky competition at its price range.
FAQs
What is the WiiM Amp?
The WiiM Amp is a compact network streaming amplifier. It provides 60W per channel at 8 ohms for passive speakers and compatibility with music platforms like Spotify, Tidal, Amazon Music, and more, plus it has HDMI ARC, optical, and RCA inputs to connect hi-fi and home entertainment equipment.
How do I set up the WiiM Amp?
You can set up your WiiM Amp through the free WiiM Home App. First, connect the Amp to your speakers and power supply. Next, download the WiiM app on your smartphone to guide you through the Wi-Fi connection process. It’s a simple setup that gets your system running in minutes.
Who owns WiiM?
Linkplay Technologies own WiiM. They specialise in merging streaming technology with high-fidelity audio, creating user-friendly Wi-Fi music solutions and cost-effective smart products for modern home entertainment systems.
Final thoughts
The WiiM Amp shows that the future of hi-fi can be compact and affordable. This do-it-all streaming amp offers a comprehensive feature set without compromising on sound quality.
We’d love to hear from you. Maybe there’s a product you’d like us to take a closer look at. Tell us about it in the comments below!
