2 weeks Ago
Earlier this year, I reviewed the WiiM Ultra music streamer and now it’s the turn of the WiiM Amp Pro to get the once over. Both products were announced in May, at the High-End Music Show in Munich. The Ultra and Amp Pro models are a commitment by WiiM to its music streaming platform and both the new products were the first to drop Apple Airplay in favor of WiiM’s multi-room wireless music protocol.
The compact and powerful WiiM Amp Pro is the brand’s second-generation streaming amplifier. WiiM claims the unit’s sound quality reaches a new level using Post Filter Feedback (PFFB) technology, ensuring load-independent performance. It’s a powerful performer and ideal for anyone who doesn’t have an existing audio system.
The WiiM Amp Pro uses Wi-Fi 6E and BT 5.3 with BT LE audio support for wireless connectivity, giving it robust reception and transmission when streaming Hi-Res audio. The WiiM Amp Pro partners with most passive loudspeakers and can connect to other sources like TVs and vinyl record players which can then stream that signal around the home to other WiiM devices or Bluetooth wireless headphones and speakers.
Powering the WiiM Amp Pro is the WiiM Home App, a comprehensive smartphone app with support for so many music streaming services. The app is well-designed and always being refined and regularly updated. It’s clear that WiiM wants to take a large slice of the streaming market and it’s investing heavily in developing the app.
Driving the WiiM Amp Pro’s sound is a TI TPA3255 Class-D amplifier outputting 60W per channel into 8Ω and can drive up to four speakers with enough muscle to drive most passive loudspeakers with music from a wide range of streaming services or directly from a smartphone’s music app. For those who enjoy using hands-free controls, the WiiM Amp Pro works with compatible with voice commands like Alexa and Google Assistant. The system ships with the WiiM Voice Remote which has a built-in microphone for issuing commands to Alexa or Google.
The DAC used in the WiiM Amp Pro is the premium 32-bit/384kHz ES9038 Q2M SABRE DAC. There’s support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 with two antennas for robust reception.
The circuitry is housed in an aluminum case but there’s no display for showing album art. For that, you need to rely on the WiiM Home app. To hone the sound of the WiiM Amp Pro, there is built-in room correction which emits a sweeping audio tone that is monitored with the microphone on your smartphone.
The sound captured is analyzed and then adjustments are made to the amp’s EQ to make sure the bass and treble levels are tweaked to match the acoustics of the room. The room correction will also consider a subwoofer if one is fitted. The WiiM Home app offers support for an array of music services like Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer, Qobuz, TIDAL, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, SoundCloud, Radio Paradise, Sound Track Your Brand and more.
Music can be cast from any unsupported apps using Google Chromecast, Alexa Cast, DLNA, Spotify Connect, and TIDAL Connect. The one protocol missing is Apple Airplay. I think that’s a mistake but it’s a decision that WiiM seems happy with.
For those who enjoy listening to music from playlists, the provision of gapless playback at levels up to 24-bit/192kHz. It’s amazing how good a well-curated playlist can sound when tracks segue into each other. Thanks to a choice of inputs, the WiiM Amp Pro can be used with external devices like turntables, TVs, cassette decks and tuners across any WiiM-compatible device.
TVs can have their audio boosted using the WiiM Amp Pro’s HDMI ARC support and built-in subwoofer output, turning your TV into a home theater. The sound from the WiiM Amp Pro is certainly loud for its size. The choice of speakers is important because the amp is quite treble heavy and speakers can sound a little bright.
A subwoofer makes a difference so bear that in mind if you’re one of those people who like plenty of bass. The whole system is easy to set up and hats off to WiiM for a great app and frequent firmware and app updates to extend the usability of the WiiM range. Apple AirPlay can’t be added to the WiiM Amp Pro via a future firmware update which is a shame.
One thing missing from this device is Airplay compatibility. I managed to add Airplay to the unit by plugging in A Belkin Soundconnect Airplay receiver via the optical input at the back of the WiiM Amp Pro. So, if you need Airplay, there are ways around it.
The other thing missing from the WiiM Amp Pro is a headphone output. The only way you can listen to the device with headphones is via Bluetooth. And although the WiiM Amp Pro supports Hi-Res Bluetooth codecs, I still prefer to use wired headphones and as the WiiM Amp Pro is small enough to sit on a nightstand, that would be a useful addition.
The controls on the WiiM Amp Pro are simple to use with a lovely rotary volume knob that has a control built into its center for pausing and playing the music. The whole device looks classy and compact. It’s an affordable way to put a music system in a bedroom, college dorm or even a kitchen.
Verdict: The WiiM Amp Pro is an excellent music streamer with superb audio definition. The choice of speakers is important as the sound is slightly bright. If you like more bass, consider adding a subwoofer or using bigger speakers.
The build quality of this little streamer is also excellent and it’s well worth the money. The only negatives for me are the absence of Airplay and the lack of a headphone socket. Apart from those two minus points, the WiiM Amp Pro is a positive experience.
If you want an alternative to consider against the WiiM Amp Pro, I’d suggest looking at the Marantz Melody X, which includes a CD player. Price & Availability: The WiiM Amp Pro is available from Amazon now and costs $379 / £399 / €369. Tech Specs:.
