WiiM Amp vs WiiM Amp- 4layer

[cathorsis]

Hey WiiM community!

I've been testing two different versions of WiiM amps side by side and wanted to share my findings while inviting others to discuss their experiences. I have detailed photos and qualitative feedback from my testing, plus some interesting API response data that might be useful for the tech-minded folks here. What was most interesting to me was that the v7 Amp is running a 5.2.x branch of firmware (which is seen in Amp Pro / Ultra), but the 5.x.716363 is the similar across both branches, and no noticeable difference in sound quality so far.

Here is the difference in the API status pulled from these two amps, and more qualitative differences highlighted in photos.

Have others noticed similar differences between versions?
Would you like to know anything else in particular?

 

[harkpabst]

Are you saying that there's no option to enable Googlecast on the v7? I've not heard that before.

 

[cathorsis]

I take that back, there may be a google cast option on both, I may have not turned it on on v7. Google Cast isn't important to my use case.

 

[BK308]

My Amp has the tactile click volume control. Just curious, do all newer WiiM devices have a smoother volume smoother volume controller?

 

[slartibartfast]

My Amp has the tactile click volume control. Just curious, do all newer WiiM devices have a smoother volume smoother volume controller?

The Vibelink has a smooth volume control since it is a potentiometer rather than a rotary encoder.

 

[BK308]

The Vibelink has a smooth volume control since it is a potentiometer rather than a rotary encoder.

Good to know! Thanks!

 

[harkpabst]

My Amp has the tactile click volume control. Just curious, do all newer WiiM devices have a smoother volume smoother volume controller?

From my experience the original WiiM Amp is the only one (of those devices that even have a volume knob to turn) with that tactile click. All others are smooth. This explicitly includes the WiiM Amp Pro. The PCB version 7 looks like it shares many components with the WiiM Amp Pro.

Personally, I did like the clicking a bit better, but don't care too much.

 

[slartibartfast]

From my experience the original WiiM Amp is the only one (of those devices that even have a volume knob to turn) with that tactile click. All others are smooth. This explicitly includes the WiiM Amp Pro. The PCB version 7 looks like it shares many components with the WiiM Amp Pro.

Personally, I did like the clicking a bit better, but don't care too much.

Really. So even the rotary encoders are now smooth. I had no idea.

 

[harkpabst]

Really. So even the rotary encoders are now smooth. I had no idea.

Yep, they are.

If you have a closer look at the pictures posted by @cathorsis you'll see that this even applies to the WiiM Amp PCB version 7. I think that's why @BK308 has been asking.