We’ve previously heaped praise on Linkplay Technology’s WiiM Mini and WiiM Pro network music-streamers. The company has now taken that technology and added a 2-channel, 60-watt Class D amplifier to the mix; specifically, a TI 3255 chip, so you can drive your favorite passive loudspeakers. The amp’s power output increases to 120 watts per channel when driving 4-ohm speakers.
The $299 WiiM Amp can join other WiiM products to form a multi-room audio system on your home network (wired or wirelessly). You can also connect it to your TV via HDMI ARC.
The WiiM Amp network music streamer has an integrated Class D amplifier onboard, with banana plugs for passive loudspeakers along with a subwoofer output jack.
Linkplay Technology
While the company hasn’t revealed detailed specifications, it does say its new product is capable of decoding 24-bit/192kHz audio, which is the same resolution and sampling rate as the WiiM Pro and WiiM Pro Plus audio receivers, which rely on user-provided powered speakers. For us, the biggest question is whether it will use something like the Burr-Brown PCM5121 DAC in the WiiM Pro, or the slightly higher-end AKM4493SEQ DAC used in the WiiM Pro Plus?
Like the other WiiM models, this one is outfitted with analog stereo inputs, a 10/100 ethernet jack (there’s also a Wi-Fi 5 client adapter onboard), subwoofer output, and a Toslink optical digital audio input. While there’s no coax input–or digital output–the box gains a USB port for playing music from a thumb drive, along with the aforementioned HDMI ARC port for TV connectivity. A two-way Bluetooth 5.0 radio includes BLE support and can host the WiiM Voice Remote accessory.
The WiiM Amp is available in a silver finish, shown here, as well as the space gray shown up top.
Linkplay Technology
The WiiM Amp supports every important music-streaming protocol, including DLNA servers, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Alexa Music Cast. The company is currently seeking Roon Ready certification, which it has already obtained for its other high-end streamers. It’s compatible with most of the big-name music-streaming services: Deezer, Spotify Connect, Tidal Hi-Fi and Hi-Fi+, and Qobuz. The WiiM Amp also works with the Alexa, Google Home, and Siri voice assistants.
The amplified music streamer is available now at Amazon. We’ve requested a sample and will publish an in-depth review as soon as we can.
