Product idea - are there any plans to bring a multizone Wiim Amp to market? What I have in mind is a single device that offers all the features of the current Wiim Amp but supports say 2 zones (4 channels) or 4 zones (8 channels)? I am building a multiroom/multizone setup for whole house audio and love the Wiim Amp, but don't love having 4 separate devices to cover my 4 zones. I am open to other options as well to reduce the number of devices (simplify) while maintaining the ability to stream separate content to each zone.
Multizone Wiim Amp
- Thread starter dhollema
- Start date
Why not just use a single WiiM streamer & a multi-zone amp? There are plenty on the market.
One thing to keep in mind is that unless you're planning to have a volume control for each zone, it will need to be somewhere other than the WiiM app.
One thing to keep in mind is that unless you're planning to have a volume control for each zone, it will need to be somewhere other than the WiiM app.
That will allow me to stream separate content to reach zone?
Do share
Do share
1U 4x WiiM Pro+ setup (CI / housewide streaming)
FYI for anyone with multiroom WiiM setups: I've started a thread at DIY Audio on the possibility of tearing down WiiM Pros to set up 4 WiiMs into a 1U configuration. As background, I've had my eye on a possible similar solution from Origin Acoustics, the WiiM CI Mod S4: But, it's been slow to...
forum.wiimhome.com
Apologies, I had misread your original post. If you want four independently-controlled streamer-to-speaker pathways, I can see the appeal of what you're asking for.
The savings of a single power cord and single network cable for the installer would be very slick.
That said, there are advantages to having everything separate. For example, if you had a four-zone device, and one of the zones fails, what do you do?
And, how big is the market for this type of device, when similar solutions can be achieved with just a little extra effort? For example, with no real modifications, you could get a 3u rack setup with 4 WiiM Pros & 1 8ch 120+ watt per channel amplifier (Sonance, NAD, Lexicon, Audio Control, etc.), or 4 WiiM Amps with less power per channel, but with other benefits. It's not clear (to me) that the incremental revenue to WiiM for an all-in-one product would outweigh the product development, testing, marketing, and distribution channels this product would face.
That's something I'm noodling around with. In my case, the end result would be 4 zones of WiiM Pro+ streaming with 130 watts per channel in 2U of rack space (x6). The added costs include the custom rack shelves, switches, USB power, cables, and assembly time, not to mention the voiding of the streamers' warranties.1U 4x WiiM Pro+ setup (CI / housewide streaming)
FYI for anyone with multiroom WiiM setups: I've started a thread at DIY Audio on the possibility of tearing down WiiM Pros to set up 4 WiiMs into a 1U configuration. As background, I've had my eye on a possible similar solution from Origin Acoustics, the WiiM CI Mod S4: But, it's been slow to...
This is sort of an extreme solution, and the only reason I'm even considering this at all is to is because of possible rack space constraints and OCD.
Juke Audio is close but I prefer the Wiim amp differentiators: subwoofer support, HDMI input and...Chromecast! Wait, this may be what I'm looking for...
WiiM CI MOD A4: Four Zone Amplifier and Audio Streamer
The WiiM CI MOD A4 is perfect for extensive custom installations requiring multi-zone control. Key features include:
WiiM CI MOD A4: Four Zone Amplifier and Audio Streamer
The WiiM CI MOD A4 is perfect for extensive custom installations requiring multi-zone control. Key features include:
- Powerful Output: Suitable for high-demand audio setups.
- High-End Components: Uses the ESS ES9038Q2M DAC and TI TPA3255 Class-D Amplifier.
- Multiple Audio Inputs and Outputs: Master input includes Line-In and Optical, with each zone featuring Line-In and Optical inputs, and outputs for Line-Out and subwoofer.
- Rack-Mountable Design: Professional rack-mountable form for efficient space use.
- Multiroom Audio: Compatible with Amazon Echo, Google Home, and other WiiM devices.
- Comprehensive Streaming Support: Supports Chromecast Audio, Spotify, TIDAL Connect, Alexa Cast, and DLNA.
- Dual Band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.3: Ensures seamless wireless connectivity.
- Four Zone Control: Ideal for managing audio across multiple zones.
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The Juke is a tidy package and I'd bet they'll have plenty of satisfied customers. I wonder whose software is running under the hood... LinkPlay? But, what's the advantage over 3 WiiM Amps at $900 (not considering the upcoming Black Friday discounts)? Not to fanboi too much, but this is a steep premium for an untested (as in, tested at audiosciencereview.com) product with smaller market share and less proven product release chops than WiiM.
The Juke+, however, is a much worse bargain at $2500 for a claimed 100w @8ohms (they usually test lower). Let's see what we could get for the same $$ in the WiiM ecosystem:
WiiM Pro+ & US made Hypex Amp Solution
- 3x WiiM Pro+ -> 3 * $220 = $660
- 3x Buckeye Hypex NC252MP 2-channel amp, *tested* 120w @8ohms -> 3 * $575 = $1725
Total - $2385
WiiM Pro+ & French made 3e Amp Solution
- 3x WiiM Pro+ -> 3 * $220 = $660
- 3x Audiophonics AP300-S2503E 3e 2-channel amp, claimed 150w @8ohms -> 3 * $530 = $1590
Total - $2250
It's hard to say how much better the Buckeye Amp or the Audiophonics are than the Juke+, as there's really no performance information about the Juke+ (THD+N, SINAD, etc.), but the Hypex and 3e modules are some of the best-performing in the business. You can see a detailed review of the Buckeye here. And, yes... I know there's a 6-channel version of the same amp, but it's not as useful for per-room amplification, due to the amp either having all of the channels on or off at any given time. You'd have no problem or questions using this amp to drive fairly high performance speakers.
Ah, yes... in all of my drivel, I had forgotten the company that got my hopes up in the first place, Origin Acoustics. My take is that this may be coming to market shortly, but still has not passed FCC certification (afaik). I think you'll also see a slight premium over 4 independent Wiim Pro+'s, to prevent cannibalization, to support CI installer margins, rack space savings, and to account for CI-specific features and testing (e.g., remote management, Control4/Savant integration, etc., etc.)
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I love having 8 WiiM Ultras 8 amps and 8 speaker sets. So much flexibility, such great sound. And if one thing breaks it doesn't take down the whole system.
That's the approach I took and I couldn't be happier.
Jeff
