Linkplay Expertise introduced a brand new addition to its lineup at present: the WiiM Amp. The $299 machine serves as a receiver with a decidedly classic focus, much more so than the WiiM Professional Plus that the corporate launched earlier this 12 months, due to bodily outputs that allow you to output on to a set of old-school passive stereo audio system.
The WiiM Amp is now the priciest streaming field from the corporate, nevertheless it’s doable it earns it for the suitable particular person. It’s extra versatile than most compact AirPlay 2 receivers due to plentiful streaming commonplace assist and the distinctive set of outputs for the bring-your-own audio system crowd. That’s in all probability a really small chunk of the inhabitants, however there simply aren’t that many wi-fi receivers like this which can be so focused, and judging from the tenor of the replies in WiiM’s boards, it’s a welcome possibility.
The WiiM Amp has a number of wi-fi music choices, together with Chromecast, Spotify Join, TIDAL Join, Alea Forged, and DLNA. It helps the standard audio codecs like MP3, FLAC, ALAC, and AAC. However its shade naming scheme — silver and area grey — is taken proper from Apple, and its rounded corners give it a distinctly Apple Mac Studio vibe, simply with a large quantity knob on the entrance. That is smart, as this machine fills a really explicit area of interest with its AirPlay 2 assist.
AirPlay 2 is a good multiroom audio commonplace, however there’s at all times been a irritating hole between inexpensive AirPlay 2 receivers and really costly high-end ones from the likes of Denon and Sonos. There’s not so much in that center floor exterior of WiiM’s Professional and Professional Plus receivers, and even these have room for enchancment.
Just like the WiiM Professional Plus, the WiiM Amp helps as much as 192 kHz / 24-bit variable bit price audio out. It makes use of an analog-centric ESS Sabre ES9018 DAC. It outputs both 60W per channel at eight Ohms or 120W per channel at 4, and it helps Stereo PCM however not Dolby Digital or DTS. Its two units of banana plugs on the again provide you with two channels of passive stereo output, and a subwoofer connection rounds that out.
The WiiM Amp ought to enchantment to anybody who desires a standalone, extra simple technique to get streaming audio to their old-school audio system than plugging a second-gen AirPort Categorical or one in all WiiM’s different units into an older receiver that could be on its final legs.
