New Streaming Amplifier

[GwMarshy]

Hi, I currently have a Wiim Amp Pro and am looking to upgrade. I would like to keep the streaming otions.

My current set up is:
Rega P3rs with ND7
Rega MM Mk5 Phono
Bowers and Wilkins 607 S3
Rel TZero Mk3
and the Wiim Amp Pro

Ive spoken to different companies and as usual they have all given different opinions. I dont really want to go any higher that £650 and below are what they have suggested.

AudioLab 6000a Play Wireless amplifier and Streaming Player (£399 on Peter Tyson)
Marantz Model M1 (£576 richer sounds clearance including the extra 10% off)
Eversolo Play (£599)

I would like to have access to apple music or at least airplay. Whats everyones opinions on the above and better options?

Thanks
Gaz

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

What don't you like about the WiiM Amp Pro?

 

[RJW232]

To be honest, I don't think the amplifiers you mention will give a huge upgrade. If you want to go a serious step up you have to look at higher priced amps.

 

[GwMarshy]

What don't you like about the WiiM Amp Pro?

nothing major, I just wanted something that would bring a little more out of my music. especially when everyone is saying thats the "let down" in my set up

 

[Al ears]

nothing major, I just wanted something that would bring a little more out of my music. especially when everyone is saying thats the "let down" in my set up

Probably only seen as a "let down" because of the price of the thing compared to rest of system . If it serves a purpose then stick with it.

 

[GwMarshy]

Probably only seen as a "let down" because of the price of the thing compared to rest of system . If it serves a purpose then stick with it.

Thats the feeling im getting. everyone i speak to says its a reasonably decent amp and would take quite bit of money to get a worthwhile upgrade. Do you have any experience with Graham Slee? Ive been potentially given a good price on an Era Gold or Reflex M, do you think this would give me a decnt uplift in sound from my vinyls?

 

[RoA]

I have not heard your or the other mentioned amplifiers in your list but I use an Audiolab 6000A (non streamer version) amongst other amplifiers.

Imho it is a fantastic sounding item and well worth trying. RS do them and you can always return it if you find yours is better or no different.

However, Audiolab's streaming platform is far from great and I decided to add a WiiM instead.

 

[Al ears]

Thats the feeling im getting. everyone i speak to says its a reasonably decent amp and would take quite bit of money to get a worthwhile upgrade. Do you have any experience with Graham Slee? Ive been potentially given a good price on an Era Gold or Reflex M, do you think this would give me a decnt uplift in sound from my vinyls?

I don't but think you would have to aus those yourself if you were thinking of upgrading the Rega .
He has a reputation of producing good kit but what you would hear with the cartridge you currently have I don't know.
If you can get one to in house audition then go for it.

 

[matthewpianist]

Audiolab’s streaming element is pretty much worthless. The Eversolo platform is excellent, but I don’t think switching to that will give you any upgrade in sound, and may even be a step backwards. Marantz uses HEOS, which is okay but not on the same level as WiiM, BluOS or Eversolo in terms of user experience.

I think you’re better off sticking with what you have unless you want to risk wasting money.

 

[GwMarshy]

Thanks everyone for the opinions, I have decided to stick with what I’ve got

 

[Fandango Andy]

Hi, I currently have a Wiim Amp Pro and am looking to upgrade. I would like to keep the streaming otions.

My current set up is:
Rega P3rs with ND7
Rega MM Mk5 Phono
Bowers and Wilkins 607 S3
Rel TZero Mk3
and the Wiim Amp Pro

Ive spoken to different companies and as usual they have all given different opinions. I dont really want to go any higher that £650 and below are what they have suggested.

AudioLab 6000a Play Wireless amplifier and Streaming Player (£399 on Peter Tyson)
Marantz Model M1 (£576 richer sounds clearance including the extra 10% off)
Eversolo Play (£599)

I would like to have access to apple music or at least airplay. Whats everyones opinions on the above and better options?

Thanks
Gaz

The Audiolab is a bargain at the moment. If you were starting off from scratch I would recommend it over all the others you mention. It will be better than you have but not night and day different.

 

[matthewpianist]

The Audiolab is a bargain at the moment. If you were starting off from scratch I would recommend it over all the others you mention. It will be better than you have but not night and day different.

I respectfully disagree. The streaming on the Audiolab isn’t anywhere near good enough to compete with WiiM. I’ve been listening to the WiiM Amp Ultra, and it comfortably competes with the best sub-£1k amplifiers, and has one of the best streaming platforms built in. It’s compact, easy to use, powerful (100wpc into 8 Ohms, 200wpc into 4), stable down to 2 Ohms, and manages to sound detailed, dynamic and engaging.

The amp section isn’t the same as in the Amp Pro, it’s the more powerful one used in the Vibelink, but the Amp Ultra manages to sound even better than Ultra+Vibelink (certainly compared to using the Ultra connected by RCA to the Vibelink). The Amp Ultra also solves the irritations of the Ultra/Vibelink combination in that it has proper remote control including volume.

The Audiolab is a fine amp, but the Amp Ultra offers much more for the money. For context, I have owned 6000A, 6000N, and Omnia amongst lots of other things.

 

[davidf]

I'll add that DTS PlayFi isn't great, although it seems to be one that if it works for you, it's usually pretty good, but if it doesn't, it's a bit of a dog.

And as far as amp comparisons go, the Audiolab will be the biggest difference over the Wiim compared to the other options (which are all Class D based and likely sound similar).

 

[gasolin]

nothing major, I just wanted something that would bring a little more out of my music. especially when everyone is saying thats the "let down" in my set up

Not at all it's a fine match

Try Wiim amp ultra and eversolo play

Im very happy with my wiim amp pro, much better then a yamaha r-n800a

Much more adjustments and eq and peq + target curves when doing rooom correction more features on a wiim amp pro then a yamaha r-n800a

I use hifi feet,upgraded power cable and an power mains/power distributor

Have you used room correction with a good mic ? (i have the dayton usb mic)

 

[Fandango Andy]

I respectfully disagree. The streaming on the Audiolab isn’t anywhere near good enough to compete with WiiM. I’ve been listening to the WiiM Amp Ultra, and it comfortably competes with the best sub-£1k amplifiers, and has one of the best streaming platforms built in. It’s compact, easy to use, powerful (100wpc into 8 Ohms, 200wpc into 4), stable down to 2 Ohms, and manages to sound detailed, dynamic and engaging.

The amp section isn’t the same as in the Amp Pro, it’s the more powerful one used in the Vibelink, but the Amp Ultra manages to sound even better than Ultra+Vibelink (certainly compared to using the Ultra connected by RCA to the Vibelink). The Amp Ultra also solves the irritations of the Ultra/Vibelink combination in that it has proper remote control including volume.

The Audiolab is a fine amp, but the Amp Ultra offers much more for the money. For context, I have owned 6000A, 6000N, and Omnia amongst lots of other things.

You have me at a disadvantage as I haven't heard the WiiM Amp Ultra. I have heard a The Audilab in competition with the WiiM Amp Pro, and it was better, clearer, crisper sound with more presence and a better soundstage. At £399 it looks like a bargain to me. You may be correct about the Ultra.

 

[GwMarshy]

Thanks again everyone. I am 99% sticking with what I have but have noticed a lot of places selling off the v1 Nad C700. What are people’s views on this? Would it be an upgrade over my current WiiM amp pro? I’ve found reviews of it online but none of them really speak about it from an amp point of view

 

[GwMarshy]

Not at all it's a fine match

Try Wiim amp ultra and eversolo play

Im very happy with my wiim amp pro, much better then a yamaha r-n800a

Much more adjustments and eq and peq + target curves when doing rooom correction more features on a wiim amp pro then a yamaha r-n800a

I use hifi feet,upgarded power cable and an power mains/power distributor

Have you used room correction with a good mic ? (i have the dayton usb mic)

Unfortunately I don’t have access to a decent mic, just the one on my phone

 

[gasolin]

Thanks again everyone. I am 99% sticking with what I have but have noticed a lot of places selling off the v1 Nad C700. What are people’s views on this? Would it be an upgrade over my current WiiM amp pro? I’ve found reviews of it online but none of them really speak about it from an amp point of view

Nad c700 is much much more expensive than wiim amp pro

latest version cost more than 3 times the price of a wiim amp pro

Unfortunately I don’t have access to a decent mic, just the one on my phone

get one, one review say bigger difference when using room correction than going from the wiim amp to the wiim amp ultra

Also try play with the eq

Remember to use the software

Dayton Audio iMM-6C USB-C Measurement microphone

Turn any phone or tablet with a USB-C connector into a high-quality audio measurement device with the Dayton Audio iMM-6C USB-C measurement microphone. Each iMM-6C is individually hand-calibrated using a laboratory microphone.

www.audiophonics.fr

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

I once home demo'd the NAD c700.
I thought it was dreadful. No dynamic swing, no dimensional presentation, not hi-fi.
I ended up at that stage with a CA CX81 which was way more hi-fi.

 

[matthewpianist]

I tried a NAD C379 with the BluOS MDC module. The streaming was excellent, though obviously with no artwork display in that case, but the amplification was nothing special for the money, and not reflective of the traditional 'signature sound' of the brand. I haven't heard the C700, but my experience with the C379 is very similar to that @The_Lecht_Rocks describes.

 

[GwMarshy]

Nad c700 is much much more expensive than wiim amp pro

latest version cost more than 3 times the price of a wiim amp pro

get one, one review say bigger difference when using room correction than going from the wiim amp to the wiim amp ultra

Also try play with the eq

Remember to use the software

Dayton Audio iMM-6C USB-C Measurement microphone

Turn any phone or tablet with a USB-C connector into a high-quality audio measurement device with the Dayton Audio iMM-6C USB-C measurement microphone. Each iMM-6C is individually hand-calibrated using a laboratory microphone.

www.audiophonics.fr

Yeah the C700 i can get for £650. I just want to ensure it would be a decent step up.

 

[matthewpianist]

Yeah the C700 i can get for £650. I just want to ensure it would be a decent step up.

The only way to find out would be to listen, but quite frankly I doubt it.

 

[The_Lecht_Rocks]

agreed; the C700 was utterly disappointing

 

[DREADZONE]

I have not heard your or the other mentioned amplifiers in your list but I use an Audiolab 6000A (non streamer version) amongst other amplifiers.

Imho it is a fantastic sounding item and well worth trying. RS do them and you can always return it if you find yours is better or no different.

However, Audiolab's streaming platform is far from great and I decided to add a WiiM instead.

I've got an Audiolab 6000A, too - in my study. Tops out at 96kHz, but does a pretty good job for me.
Currently deciding what streaming amp system to put in (medium sized) kitchen: choosing between Eversolo Play (w/o CD) and WiiM Amp Ultra. Read just one poor review of Eversolo sound quality; also it's only 60W (vs 100W for WiiM); think speakers match will be important, too, for either of these amps; Eversolo has more I/O options, larger screen, but no Remote Control . . . SO, still thinking! Thoughts, anyone?