Wiim Amp Wireless Streaming Amplifier Silver WIIM-AMP-012

Product Overview:

About the WiiM Amp
Ned O.
by Crutchfield's 
Ned O.
An affordable, high-performance streaming amp
All you need to set up a sweet stereo system with high-res streaming is the WiiM Amp and a nice pair of passive speakers. It's got clean power that can handle even demanding 4-ohm speakers. And its high-performance DAC circuitry delivers rich, detailed sound that rivals streamers costing several times more, so you can get the best out of music services like Qobuz, TIDAL, and Spotify.
User-friendly streaming options
The Amp connects to your home network using Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and it's super-easy to set up using the free WiiM Home app for Apple® and Android™. You can access and manage a bunch of music services from within the app and group additional WiiM components (sold separately) together for multi-room playback. A sync audio option in the WiiM app uses a built-in mic on the Amp to get rid of any playback latency between grouped devices.
Plenty of users will take advantage of its Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay 2, and Alexa support — both for single-zone and multi-room streaming. It also works with Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect, which give you access to the Amp natively from within those apps.
Two-way Bluetooth lets you stream wirelessly from your compatible smartphone, tablet, computer. You can also stream from the Amp to your favorite Bluetooth headphones or speaker.
Hands-on time with the Amp
I had a chance to set the Amp up in my home, simply connected to my floor-standing MartinLogan speakers. It took about three minutes to add the Amp to my home network and sign into my Qobuz account using the WiiM Home app. Then I picked an album from my favorites.
Can you ever really hear "detail" in Link Wray's trashy, swampy roots-rock? Yes! His 1970s Polydor recordings, collected on Guitar Preacher feature some brilliant distorted guitar tones, but also some beautiful acoustic and clean electric sounds in his refreshingly stripped-down and soulful tunes. And the Amp handled it all very nicely.
I also listened to The Oscar Peterson Trio's beautifully recorded We Get Requests album. The Jobim-penned opening track, "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)" features Peterson and bassist Ray Brown working the upper registers while drummer Ed Thigpen eases his way into the trio's interpretation of the bossa nova groove. The Amp rendered a crisp, articulate soundstage that let the uncluttered arrangement shine.
Versatile multi-room performance
I also tested the WiiM Pro and Pro Plus at the same time. I used the Pro's analog stereo RCA output to connect to my NAD C700 integrated amp driving ELAC bookshelf speakers. I connected the Pro Plus via its RCA output to some Mission powered speakers in our guest room.
Grouping and controlling all three WiiMs together worked great when I used the WiiM Home app, with fast playback response and stable settings that stay put — you don't have to re-pair every time you start a fresh streaming session. Engaging the sync audio feature quickly and efficiently corrected an initial delay between the three devices. The Amp, Pro Plus, and Pro all support Chromecast built-in, and grouping them together using that streaming platform worked well. Using AirPlay 2 to group all three streamers also worked fine, but with the slower control response and slightly less-detailed sound of that ecosystem..
Flexible audio connections
You can connect an analog source like a turntable with a phono preamp or cassette deck to the Amp's line-level stereo RCA input. An optical input lets you connect a digital audio source like CD player. Or play high-res music files stored on an external storage drive connected to the USB input. You can even use the HDMI ARC port to connect your TV for great two-channel soundtrack audio. Then you can stream those sources to other compatible multi-room speakers or WiiM components in your system.
It also has an output for a powered subwoofer (sold separately) with handy in-app bass management controls. And when you connect a sub, the Amp's high-pass filter relieves it from trying to reproduce low frequencies, allowing it to deliver more robust midrange and high-frequency performance from your connected stereo speakers.
Included remote and voice control
The WiiM Amp comes with a remote that lets you control playback and more. You can even add the remote to your Alexa account and use its built-in mic to make voice commands. Or control it via your favorite Google Assistant or Alexa device or Siri on your iPhone®.
Product highlights:
high-performance ESS SABRE HyperStream DAC with up to 32-bit/192kHz decoding
60 watts x 2 into 8 ohms, 120 watts x 2 into 4 ohms
works with Amazon Alexa, Siri (Apple), and Google Assistant voice control devices (sold separately)
control with free WiiM Home app for Apple and Android devices
play music from Qobuz, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, TuneIn, iHeartRadio and more
control and group with other WiiM devices (sold separately) on your network
supports Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Chromecast built-in, and Apple AirPlay 2
two-way Bluetooth 5.0 for streaming from your compatible device to the amp or from the amp to Bluetooth speakers or headphones
remote control included
volume and playback control
four presets — one touch starts your favorite playlists
built-in mic accepts Alexa voice commands
Connections:
analog stereo line-level RCA input
optical digital input
HDMI ARC port for a compatible TV
USB Type-A input for connecting an external drive loaded with music
gold-plated binding posts for connecting a pair of passive speakers
mono RCA output for connecting a powered subwoofer
Ethernet port for a wired connection to your home network
detachable power cord
Dimensions and warranty:
7-1/2"W x 2-7/16"H x 8-5/8"D
weight: 4.1 lbs.
warranty: 1 year
60-day returns
MFR # WiiM_Amp_012_4