Linkplay Technology Announces New WiiM Pro Plus with Premium DAC Built-in

Linkplay Technology launched the WiiM Pro Plus, an upgraded version of its successful WiiM Pro audio streamer. Listening to the market, the new WiiM Pro Plus now offers a premium AKM DAC built-in, and takes home audio to a new level featuring enhanced audio-quality, all within the same simple and cost-effective package. The WiiM Pro Plus is designed to reduce the total system cost, allowing music enthusiasts to create a high-res streaming audio system that extends existing equipment, for a fraction of the cost of buying a new setup, additional cables or an external DAC.
 
The original Wiim Pro, launched in March 2023, and reviewed by audioXpress, offered a very powerful and versatile audio streamer that immediately caught the imagination of a wide range of potential users who always envisage connecting streaming sources to its existing (and cherished) home audio systems. Others simply identified the Wiim Pro as an excellent platform for multizone audio, more affordable than existing alternatives. Yet, users quickly started comparing with existing options available in the market and wondered, "why not make it just a bit more expensive and improve the specs to truly conquer the hi-res enthusiasts?".

Linkplay responded quickly and decided to create an enhanced version of the WiiM Pro for those who demand higher audio quality. The WiiM Pro Plus offers a more powerful DAC from AKM, allowing to significantly enhance audio quality, while also improving on the overall quality of the analog design. It also uses an ultra-low noise clock, power supply, and careful PCB layout to achieve much improved THD+N performance on its analog audio output, reducing any unwanted noise or distortion in the sound.

The selected premium DAC is a new generation AKM 4493SEQ converter that is able to achieve a leading level of low distortion and wide dynamic range thanks to AKM’s Velvet Sound technology. It supports up to 768kHz PCM, and DSD512, with PCM/DSD automatic switching ideal for the latest high-resolution audio source. This enables the overall design to deliver a signal to noise ratio of 120dB (A-weighted), and THD+N of -110dB from 44.1kHz to 192kHz.
 
"My vision for the WiiM Pro Plus was clear: to create a product that reflects our users' desires and elevates their music streaming experience," says Lifeng Zhao, CEO of Linkplay Technology. "With their invaluable feedback, we've achieved just that, delivering superior audio quality, simplified setup and an affordable solution that exceeds expectations. The WiiM Pro Plus stands as a statement of our dedication to providing music enthusiasts with a seamless and enriching audio experience."  The ‘Plus’ in WiiM Pro Plus stands for better audio quality, making it superior to the WiiM Pro when using Line Output or Line Input ports. Upgrades in the WiiM Pro Plus include a better ADC for Line Input, using a tried and tested TI Burr-Brown Audio PCM1861 analog to digital converter, and achieving up to 32-bit/192kHz digital output. This also results in an improved signal-to-noise ratio of 110dB, ideal to perfectly convert analog signals from devices like record players or TVs but also high end audio analog sources.  This way, more than just appealing to a new generation of streaming-age users, the WiiM Pro Plus also caters to those seeking to revive beloved, decades-old, high-quality audio systems or those looking to modernize and connect their current audio equipment. By seamlessly connecting existing audio gear to Wi-Fi, Ethernet, RCA, and SPDIF TOSLINK or Coax output, the WiiM Pro Plus offers outstanding value and simplifies the whole transition in home audio. Its compatibility with voice assistants such as Siri, Alexa and Google are another valued argument for some, allowing effortless management of music selection, volume adjustments and playback. In fact, reflecting Linkplay's extensive experience in the voice interface systems, the WiiM Pro Plus is sold in a bundle with a voice remote controller, providing another alternative of wireless control and comfort.
 
For those looking to interface vintage home systems, rather than invest in an entirely new connected audio system, the WiiM Pro Plus allows users to keep the high-quality speakers or turntables they’ve already invested in and seamlessly connect them without the cost of extra cables, external DACs and with no compatibility issues. 
 
After all, nothing is missing in the WiiM Pro Plus. It supports AirPlay 2, Alexa Casting, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, TIDAL, Deezer, TuneIn, iHeartRadio and more. It also features Chromecast Audio, which lets users cast YouTube Music, TV audio, radio stations, podcasts and local content directly from any favorite Chromecast-enabled app. Roon Ready will also be supported soon, like it was recently announced for the original WiiM Pro.

And like all Linkplay-designed products, which does development for some of the most reputed audio brands, globally, the WiiM Pro Plus is extremely easy to setup and configure with home systems. The device will pop up automatically in the WiiM Home app, and with the simple in-app guide and compact size, it can be set up in less than two minutes. 
 
And Linkplay also says that the WiiM Pro Plus will always be improving by hearing from users. With the possibility to support  frequent OTA software updates - Roon Ready certification and Parametric EQ being examples of expected updates in the near-future - it will be expanding in the amount of services it can support.
 
The WiiM Pro Plus is sold as a bundle with the voice remote, and is available now for $219 on Amazon. Additionally, other WiiM products like the WiiM Pro and the Wake-up Light are also available and can easily be paired for a seamless smart-home experience.
www.linkplay.com
www.wiimhome.com