WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier and WiiM CI MOD S Streamer

The WiiM brand from Linkplay Technology Inc. was able to transform itself from an insider tip to an established range of streaming solutions and firmly establish itself on the market within a very short space of time. Initially, the company started with products that were positioned particularly favourably, but already offered enormous flexibility, and then followed this up with solutions that should leave nothing to be desired, even for demanding users, and also offered these at almost unrivalled low prices.

Last year at CEDIA 2023, Linkplay Technology Inc. surprised everyone by announcing that it also wanted to get involved in the custom installation sector and presented at least the first vague plans of what this might look like. Now, on the occasion of CEDIA 2024, the plans are much more concrete, at least that’s what the first information about the expected products suggests.

The WiiM Professional CI Series

It has been clear since last year that there will be a so-called WiiM Professional CI Series from Linkplay Technology Inc., with talk of two solutions at CEDIA 2023, namely the WiiM CI MOD S1 Single-zone Streamer and WiiM CI MOD S4 Four-zone Streamer products.

Now, for CEDIA 2024, the announcements are a little different, with once again two products, namely the WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier and WiiM CI MOD S Streamer.

WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier and WiiM CI MOD S Streamer

The two solutions are of course based on the solutions that the WiiM brand already offers in the consumer segment, such as the WiiM Pro, WiiM Pro Plus, WiiM Amp and WiiM Ultra products.

Streaming via a wide variety of platforms and from a wide variety of sources is therefore at the centre of both products, so that the user can access an enormous variety of content in a particularly convenient, even intuitive way.

Special attention is also being paid to direct integration into a wide range of control solutions, such as Control4, RTI or URC, as well as direct connection to smart home solutions based on Apple HomeKit, Google Home and solutions centred around Amazon Alexa.

WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier

The WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier is a compact amplifier that can be assigned to the Just add Speakers category and, in addition to the streaming options already outlined, offers analogue and digital interfaces – optical S/PDIF and HDMI with ARC – for the integration of additional source devices. Bluetooth 5.3 is of course a must and this solution can also be integrated into the network via RJ45 Ethernet interface and WiFi.

The WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier features DSP-based signal processing and relies on an ESS ES9018K2M SABRE Reference DAC from specialist ESS Technology Inc. for signal processing at up to 24 bit and 192 kHz.

At the heart of the amplifier, however, is a TI TPA3255 Class-D amplifier module from the specialist Texas Instruments, which offers an output of no less than two 60-watt speaker systems with an impedance of 8 ohms. A subwoofer can also be integrated if required, thanks to a corresponding pre-out in the form of an RCA connection.

WiiM CI MOD S streamer

In addition to streaming via a wide range of platforms, the new WiiM CI MOD S Streamer also offers analogue and digital interfaces for integrating additional sources. Bluetooth 5.1 is of course also included and the product is integrated into the network via an RJ45 Ethernet interface or WiFI.

It is interesting to note that an AKM AK4493SEQ DAC from Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation, which supports signals with up to 24 bit and 192 kHz, is used for signal processing.

Room correction included

Finally, it should be emphasised that, according to the information currently available, both solutions not only have the option of room correction and bass management, but also allow extensive signal processing using EQ.

Prices and availability

The new WiiM Professional CI Series solutions will probably be available shortly, as it currently appears. The WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier costs € 529. The WiiM CI MOD S Streamer is expected to cost € 399,-.

As is typical for custom installation solutions, the WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier and WiiM CI MOD S Streamer can also be installed in a rack; the corresponding mounting device is included in the scope of delivery.

Getting to the point

Linkplay Technology Inc. announced last year that it would no longer be focussing solely on the consumer segment, but would also be focusing on the custom installation segment and launching the new WiiM Professional CI Series for this purpose. After the first vague information at CEDIA 2023, the plans became much more concrete at CEDIA 2024, as the WiiM CI MOD A80 Streaming Amplifier and WiiM CI MOD S Streamer systems were presented as almost market-ready products.