“Wiim Amp” – Music box with more possibilities

Today’s audio technology strives to be compact, saving valuable space while maximizing functionality. Wiim, a brand under Linkplay Technology Inc., has unveiled their latest innovation in home audio technology: a compact aluminum power amplifier with streaming capabilities. Inside the Wiim Amp, a Class D power amplifier utilizing the highly efficient TPA 3255 chip, an ESS Sabre DAC with 24-bit/192 kHz signal parameters, as well as dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1 wireless modules can be found. Let’s delve into the features of this new product.

Table of Contents

1. Appearance
2. Some features and capabilities
3. Wiin mobile app
4. Cost

Appearance
This model is housed in a compact metal casing measuring just 190x190x63 mm and weighing 1.84 kg, ensuring it won’t clutter your living space like traditional class AB amplifiers with large power sources and radiators. Despite its size, the built-in PWM amplifier delivers 60 watts into an 8-ohm load (or 120 watts into a 4-ohm load) and has a signal-to-noise ratio of 98 dB.

The front panel of the casing features a volume knob (encoder) and LEDs for input indication. In addition to these, control can be managed through a Bluetooth remote control with Alexa voice assistant and the user’s smartphone with the brand’s proprietary mobile application.

The rear panel of this device includes the following wired interfaces:

• Power input for 110-240 V 50/60 Hz (internal power supply unit)
• HDMI Arc for TV connection (volume control)
• Wired network 10/100 Mbps
• USB-A for music storage devices (supports MP3, AAC, ALAC, APE, FLAC, AIFF, WAV, WMA, OGG file formats)
• Line-level signal input (RCA connectors)
• Optical digital signal input
• Active subwoofer output (30-200 Hz crossover and amplification adjustment)
• Stereo speaker output

Some features and capabilities
Inside, the Wiim Amp uses the ES9018K2M DAC, which while not the newest, allows for the lossless processing of high-resolution audio content, except for DSD above 11.3 MHz. The device accepts and processes Stereo PCM signals. The Bluetooth module facilitates streaming tracks from a smartphone. Unlike a similar solution from Arylic, a phono stage was not included here.

However, the main highlight of the device is its support for a multitude of wireless music services: AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DLNA, and others. The same set of capabilities is available in the simpler Wiin Mini gadget (without an amplifier).

Wiin mobile app

The Wiin mobile app allows you to connect the amplifier to your home network, pair the remote and voice assistants, and set up music services and the amplifier. The software includes a 10-band equalizer with 24 presets, and for each source, you can customize your equalizer settings.

In the near future, Wiim Amp will also be Roon Ready certified.

Cost
The amplifier is available in two color options: silver or gray. The current price on Amazon is $299, and it will later become available on AliExpress.